The Pokémon Company continues to enhance the experience for fans of the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket with exciting new content. In this article, we will delve into a powerful deck strategy that utilizes Gallade ex and Stoutland, highlighting their unique abilities and how to maximize their potential during gameplay.
Deck Overview: Harnessing the Power of Gallade ex and Stoutland
The core of this deck revolves around Gallade ex, a formidable card that has been a game-changer since its introduction in the Space-Time Smackdown expansion. The recent Extradimensional Crisis expansion has further enriched this strategy with the addition of Stoutland, the Big-Hearted Pokémon, which offers remarkable synergy with Gallade ex. By carefully considering your moves and the sequence of play, you can outmaneuver your opponents and secure victory.
Deck List:
- 2 Ralts (Space-Time Smackdown: Dialga)
- 1 Kirlia (Space-Time Smackdown: Dialga)
- 2 Gallade ex (Space-Time Smackdown: Dialga)
- 2 Lillipup (Extradimensional Crisis)
- 1 Herdier (Extradimensional Crisis)
- 2 Stoutland (Extradimensional Crisis)
- 2 Professor’s Research (Promo)
- 1 Ilima (Celestial Guardians: Lunala)
- 1 Guzma (Celestial Guardians: Lunala)
- 1 Lillie (Celestial Guardians: Solgaleo)
- 1 Cyrus (Space-Time Smackdown: Palkia)
- 2 Poké Ball (Promo)
- 2 Rare Candy (Celestial Guardians)
Game Strategy: Early Game Setup
Your game plan should ideally start with Lillipup, a Pokémon that requires just one Energy to begin attacking. This initial move can set the stage for early game damage, particularly if you’re the first player. Following this, you can evolve Lillipup into Herdier, which also necessitates only one Energy for its attacks. This allows you to maintain pressure on your opponent from the very beginning.
Once you bring Stoutland into play, its ability, Guard Dog Visage, becomes crucial. This ability raises the Energy cost for the opponent’s attacking Pokémon, making it more challenging for them to mount an offensive. With a solid HP of 140, Stoutland poses a significant threat, making it difficult for your rivals to knock it out quickly.
Transition to the Late Game
After establishing Stoutland, it’s the perfect time to unleash Gallade ex. The move Energized Blade amplifies its destructive potential, inflicting an additional 20 damage for each Energy attached to your opponent’s Active Pokémon. This attack becomes particularly devastating against Pokémon that require substantial Energy to execute their attacks, such as Giratina ex or Charizard ex. Even the robust Buzzwole ex would find itself in a precarious situation if it’s forced to accumulate four Energy to perform its Big Beat move, as Gallade ex’s attack would deal significant extra damage.
Support Cards: Enhancing Your Strategy
To further bolster your deck’s effectiveness, it’s essential to incorporate Supporter cards that can aid in sustaining your Pokémon during battles. The Celestial Guardians set provides valuable options like Ilima, who allows you to retrieve one of your Colorless Pokémon with damage back to your hand. This can be instrumental if you want to avoid paying the Retreat Cost for Stoutland when it’s in danger of being knocked out.
Additionally, Lillie can be a game-changer by healing 60 damage from one of your Stage 2 Pokémon, potentially allowing it to withstand another hit. Cyrus serves as a strategic counter to decks featuring Pokémon or Ultra Beasts like Celesteela that can switch out damaged Pokémon, while Guzma helps you manage the battlefield by eliminating pesky Pokémon Tool cards that might hinder your strategy.
Evolution and Consistency
With two essential Stage 2 Pokémon in your deck, it’s crucial to ensure you can evolve them promptly. Incorporating two copies each of Rare Candy and Poké Ball will significantly enhance your chances of accelerating your evolutions. Rare Candy allows you to skip a stage in evolution, making it easier to bring out Gallade ex and Stoutland when you need them most. Meanwhile, Poké Ball increases the likelihood of fetching the necessary Pokémon from your deck.
Professor’s Research is another critical component, enabling you to draw cards and maintain a steady flow of your strategy. The ability to cycle through your deck efficiently allows you to find the pieces you need while discarding cards that may no longer serve your purpose.
Tactical Gameplay: Sequencing Your Moves
The essence of this deck lies in the tactical sequencing of your Pokémon. Understanding when to evolve, attack, or retreat is vital for outsmarting your opponent. By leading with Lillipup and evolving through Herdier to Stoutland, you create a solid defense that can dissuade aggressive plays from your rival.
As the game progresses, keep an eye on your opponent’s Energy attachments. If they are forced to load up their Active Pokémon with multiple Energies due to Stoutland’s ability, you can capitalize on this weakness with Gallade ex’s Energized Blade, resulting in a swift and powerful counterattack.
Conclusion
Utilizing the combination of Gallade ex and Stoutland can provide a strategic edge in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket. By carefully managing your Pokémon’s Energy costs and employing effective Supporter cards, you can create a formidable deck that overwhelms opponents with calculated precision. Focus on developing a dynamic strategy that allows you to adapt to various game situations, ensuring that you remain a step ahead in your battles. Enjoy the thrill of using this deck to secure victories and enhance your gameplay experience!
