Hi again. In this Pokemon TCG post I cover the useful support Pokemon card Manaphy from the Brilliant Stars expansion.

I write this in August 2024. Even though this is released in September 2024, Manaphy will still have good defensive utility.

 

## Manaphy With Wave Veil
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<center><img src="https://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/thumb/8/8b/ManaphyBrilliantStars41.jpg/430px-ManaphyBrilliantStars41.jpg" /></center>
<center><a href="https://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/thumb/8/8b/ManaphyBrilliantStars41.jpg/430px-ManaphyBrilliantStars41.jpg">Image Source</a></center>

<center><img src="https://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/thumb/2/2f/ManaphyCrownZenithGG6.jpg/428px-ManaphyCrownZenithGG6.jpg" /></center>
<center><a href="https://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/thumb/2/2f/ManaphyCrownZenithGG6.jpg/428px-ManaphyCrownZenithGG6.jpg">Full Art Version Image Source</a></center>

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Manaphy is a 70 HP Basic Water Pokemon with one retreat cost. It has one attack in the form of Rain Splash. This attack costs one Basic Water Energy to do 20 damage. You are not likely to attack with Manaphy but the 20 damage can be somewhat helpful in rare cases.

The best part of Manaphy is its Wave Veil ability. With the ability you prevent damage done to your Benched Pokemon by attacks from your opponent's Pokemon. This ability prevents damage from attacks that target Benched Pokemon. 

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## Why Is This Useful?
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Manaphy with its ability is a very good supporting Pokemon. The ability prevents damage from attacks that target Benched Pokemon. Attacking Pokemon that can attack the Bench include:

* [Radiant Greninja](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Radiant_Greninja_(Astral_Radiance_46))
* [Delphox V](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Delphox_V_(Lost_Origin_27))
* [Wellspring Mask Ogerpon ex](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Wellspring_Mask_Ogerpon_ex_(Twilight_Masquerade_64))
* [Fezandipiti ex](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Fezandipiti_ex_(Night_Wanderer_38))
* [Garchomp ex](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Garchomp_ex_(Paradox_Rift_38))
* [Greninja ex](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Greninja_ex_(Twilight_Masquerade_106))
* [Magnezone VSTAR](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Magnezone_VSTAR_(Lost_Origin_57)) (not common)
* [Kyogre with Dynamic Wave Attack](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Kyogre_(Crown_Zenith_36)) (not common)

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Being able to prevent attacks to the Bench does not allow your opponent to get multiple Prize cards from knocking out more than 1 of your Pokemon. Manaphy on the Bench is super important against water decks that have [Radiant Greninja](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Radiant_Greninja_(Astral_Radiance_46)) and [Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Origin_Forme_Palkia_VSTAR_(Astral_Radiance_40)). You want to protect weaker Pokemon that have 90 HP or less such as [Charmander](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Charmander_(151_4)) and [Dreepy](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Dreepy_(Twilight_Masquerade_128)) before they evolve to strong evolved attackers like [Charizard ex](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Charizard_ex_(Obsidian_Flames_125)) and [Dragapult ex](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Dragapult_ex_(Twilight_Masquerade_130)).

One important thing to always remember with Manaphy and in general is that Manaphy does not prevent attacks that places damage counters on your Benched Pokemon. Attacks that place damage counters on Benched Pokemon is not damage from an attack. This is from an effect from an attack. 

With more cards that can attack the Bench to be released like [Kyurem](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Kyurem_(Shrouded_Fable_47)), I think Manaphy will increase in value and utility. As Manaphy has a F regulation mark it can still be played until the next rotation in early 2025. 


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<center>Thank you for reading.</center>