Ruling Pichu and Mareep

[tyrannitar trainer]

(UNLIMITED DECKS)

1. Say I have the BAsic pokemon PICHU from heartgold Soulsilver set (the baby) can I evolve it into Pikachu? Because pikachu is also a basic? And then to extend the question can I rare candy that pichu into Raichu? And if so is that raichu a Stage 1 like the card says or a Stage 2, this might matter if it battle a mandibuzz?

2. The mareep from HS Unleashed attack is "Search your deck for a number of {L} energy equal to the amount of mareep in play (...) and attach them to mareep. First off say I have an ampharos in play with a marrep under it does it count as a mareep for this attack? Then say This mareep that is using this attack is an Ampharos with a memory berry, which allows him to use the underlings attacks, Does he count as a mareep and then it says attach the energy to MAREEP when there actually is no mareep in play? Also say I have just two mareeps in play can I attach the energy to either mareep, or one to both?

Sorry for the confusing questions!

 

[CarlosDuranJr]

1. No, only the older baby pokémon with the ability to evolve into the basic Pokémon can do that. And no, you can't rare candy into a Stage one from the baby form. The latest printing is what you go by, and all older rare candy are now erratta'd to say the same where it can only be used to evolve into a Stage 2

2. No, the top card counts as the pokémon, not the lower evolutions. The entire evolution line just counts as one pokémon (usually comes into play with super scoop up, seeker, rescue energy, etc). So having 4 evolved mareeps (be it flaaffy or ampharos) means you really don't have any mareeps in play.
In regards to the effect of the attack, when a card names itself in an effect (not in the calculations for an attack), it should be read as "this pokémon".

Using your example "Search your deck for a number of lightning energy equal to the amount of mareep in play and attach them to mareep." should be played as "Search your deck for a number of lightning energy equal to the amount of mareep in play and attach them to this pokémon." making sure you only count un evolved mareeps in play.