Stage 2 Pokémon - Evolves from Kadabra

HP 80 Type

Power	Damage Swap As often as you like during your turn (before your attack), you may move 1 damage counter from one of your Pokémon to another as long as you don't Knock Out that Pokémon. This power can't be used if Alakazam is Asleep, Confused, or Paralyzed.
Attack	Confuse Ray (30) Flip coin. If heads, the defending Pokémon is now Confused.

Weakness		Resistance	none	Retreat Cost		Level 42 Rarity Holo
| Discuss this card |

The first card of the first card set should be one of the first cards you consider using to build a deck. Damage Swap speaks for itself. Don't underestimate the ability to move your damage around. With Alakazam on the bench, a big Pokémon such as Wigglytuff can take a lot of damage each turn and still stay alive. It's a necessity for Pokémon such as Sabrina's Golduck and Rocket's Mewtwo that can move damage from your Pokémon to your opponent's Pokémon. It's a key element of most stall decks. And it can make cards that do damage based on the amount of damage they have, such as Tauros, especially effective.

Confuse Ray is OK, if you have to use it. It's not as potent as Kadabra's Super Psy. It would be much more attractive if the Confusion part didn't require a coin toss. And you can do a lot more damage than 30 for 3 Energies. Make sure that you have a Chansey or other big Pokémon on the bench to take Alakazam's damage. Another Alakazam on the bench wouldn't hurt either.

Don't forget that Alakazam and its precursor, Kadabra, have a slothful 3 retreat cost. If you use Alakazam, stock your deck with plenty of Switch or Warp Point because Alakazam will be Gust of Wind bait. (That is, of course, unless you enjoy discarding 3 Energies just to retreat a Gusted Pokémon.) If you use Alakazam for attacking, keep Full Heal or Full Heal Energy on hand to get rid of status effects and get your Damage Swapping back.

If your opponent brings out Abra, expect to eventually see Alakazam. Once Alakazam comes out, your opponent is in a much better defensive position, so eliminate the threat as early as possible, preferably before Abra evolves. Use Gust of Wind to yank Alakazam from the bench, and use Psychic and Confusion attacks to take it out.