The Pokémon TCG Pocket scene is buzzing with the arrival of the "Space-Time Clash" expansion, and one card has trainers particularly excited: Gallade EX! This powerful Pokémon boasts an attack that scales with your opponent's damage, making it a formidable late-game threat. This blog post dives deep into crafting the best Gallade EX deck, exploring strategies, card choices, and tech options that other guides might miss. We'll go beyond a simple card list and equip you with the knowledge to dominate your opponents.
Understanding the Core Strategy: Powering Up Gallade EX
The heart of this deck revolves around maximizing Gallade EX's "Psyblade" attack. The more damage counters your opponent's Pokémon have, the more damage "Psyblade" dishes out. Therefore, our strategy focuses on two key elements:
- Dealing Early Damage: We need to soften up our opponent's Pokémon before Gallade EX enters the fray.
- Boosting Gallade EX's Power: While "Psyblade" scales naturally, we can further amplify its damage output through strategic card choices.
The Decklist: A Synergistic Powerhouse
Here's a refined decklist that combines consistency with explosive potential, addressing common weaknesses and incorporating valuable tech options:
Pokémon (15):
- 4x Riolu (for consistent evolution)
- 3x Lucario (for damage boost and draw power)
- 2x Gallade EX (the star of the show)
- 1x Ralts (for early-game setup)
- 2x Kirlia (for evolution consistency)
- 1x Mew (for searching crucial Trainer cards)
- 2x Spiritomb (Disrupts opponent's strategy and sets up damage)
Trainers (35):
- 4x Professor's Research (essential for draw power)
- 3x Marnie (disrupts opponent's hand and provides draw)
- 2x Boss's Orders (for bringing out key Pokémon)
- 4x Quick Ball (for searching basic Pokémon)
- 3x Ultra Ball (for searching any Pokémon)
- 2x Evolution Incense (for evolving Pokémon quickly)
- 2x Switch (for retreating damaged Pokémon)
- 1x Escape Rope (for switching and disrupting)
- 1x Air Balloon (for free retreat)
- 2x Rocky Helmet (for passive damage and disruption)
- 2x Choice Belt (for boosting damage against Active Pokémon)
- 2x Tool Scrapper (To discard opponent's Tools)
- 2x Judge (Disrupts opponent's hand)
- 1x Pal Pad (Recycle important supporter cards)
- 1x Ordinary Rod (Recycle Pokémon)
- 10x Psychic Energy
Beyond the Basics: Strategic Depth
This deck isn't just about throwing cards together. Here's a breakdown of the strategic considerations:
- Early Game: Focus on setting up your Riolu and evolving them into Lucario. Use Spiritomb to spread damage counters and disrupt your opponent's setup. Mew can be used to search for crucial trainers.
- Mid Game: Begin applying pressure with Lucario's "Aura Sphere" while continuing to develop your board. Start strategically placing Rocky Helmets on your opponent's active Pokémon.
- Late Game: Gallade EX takes center stage. With your opponent's Pokémon already damaged, "Psyblade" will become a knockout machine. Use Boss's Orders to bring out vulnerable targets.
- Tech Choices: The inclusion of Spiritomb and Tool Scrapper offers disruption and control, addressing common weaknesses of pure damage-focused decks. Judge and Marnie can disrupt your opponent's hand.
- Energy Management: This deck requires consistent energy flow. The high count of Psychic Energy and the use of Quick Ball and Ultra Ball ensure you have the resources you need.
Addressing Common Questions and Concerns:
- Why no Marshadow? While Marshadow can boost damage, its fragility and the setup required make it less consistent than the chosen strategy. This deck prioritizes consistent damage output and disruption.
- Why so many trainers? A high trainer count is crucial for consistency. These cards allow you to search for Pokémon, draw cards, and disrupt your opponent's strategy.
- How do I deal with disruption? Marnie and Judge can disrupt your opponent's hand, while Tool Scrapper can get rid of opposing tools.
Mastering the Matchup:
This Gallade EX deck excels against decks that rely on accumulating damage on their Pokémon. However, it can struggle against decks that focus on quick knockouts. The inclusion of disruption cards like Spiritomb and Judge helps mitigate this weakness.
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