In the current Genetic Apex meta of Pokémon TCG Pocket, players may find that there are only a few dominant deck strategies that reign supreme. However, for fans who wish to feature a beloved Pokémon like Gengar in their lineup, creativity is key—even when pitted against the likes of Pikachu, Mewtwo, and Charizard. Although the margin for error might be narrower, Gengar can still present a formidable challenge to opposing decks. This article outlines the most effective Gengar deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket.
Optimal Gengar and Gardevoir Deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket
| 2x Gastly | 2x Ralts | 2x X Speed | 2x Sabrina |
| 2x Haunter | 2x Kirlia | 2x Professor’s Research | |
| 2x Gengar Ex | 2x Gardevoir | 2x Poke Ball |
Gengar Ex occupies an interesting position within the game due to its statistics. With a base HP of 170 and a primary attack called Spooky Shot—costing three Psychic Energy cards and dealing 100 damage—it may seem underwhelming for a Stage 3 Pokémon Ex. However, its active ability, Shadowy Spellbind, is a substantial asset, as it prohibits the opponent from utilizing Supporter cards while Gengar is in play. This ability significantly hampers most decks, which frequently rely on cards like Professor’s Research and Sabrina to maintain their strategy.
Even water-type decks face challenges here, as they cannot employ Misty to support their tactics when Gengar is active. The downside is that setting up Gengar requires several turns; this is why pairing Gengar with Gardevoir is advantageous. Gardevoir serves as a helpful support Pokémon that can facilitate energy distribution, potentially allowing your team to launch a counter-offensive.
X Speed is an essential addition to this deck, enabling effective switching among your Pokémon. In contrast, Sabrina provides invaluable assistance by either scoring easy points or reducing the HP of opposing Ex Pokémon.
Strategies for Playing the Gengar Deck
At the beginning of play, ideally, you would want to go second and have Gastly as your active Pokémon. When this is the case, you can evolve Gastly into Haunter, attach an energy card, and execute Will-O-Wisp for 30 damage.
In the early game, your primary objective is to stall your opponent effectively. If you draw Sabrina, utilize this Trainer card to disrupt opponents, particularly those using Mewtwo as an active Pokémon. After they place an energy counter on Mewtwo, swap it with Ralts or a similar Pokémon to force your opponent to reallocate their energy count. While they may draw an X Speed card, your aim remains to delay their momentum.
As you accumulate evolution cards, Gardevoir becomes crucial for energizing your active Pokémon consistently. Regularly escaping damage is key, so when Gengar accumulates three energy but has sustained some damage, retreating it allows you to tap into Gardevoir’s Psy Shadow ability, replenishing energy for your new active Pokémon.
This synergistic design adds a layer of strategy to gameplay. Gardevoir’s role is imperative, as it enhances your chances of deploying both Gengar iterations with the necessary energy for effective attacks during the match.
Alternative Cards for the Gengar Deck
While the options for tweaking your Gengar deck may be limited, one alternative is to trade Gardevoir for a Drowzee-Hypno combination or perhaps include a Mewtwo. Experimenting with a non-Ex Gengar is also possible, depending on your available cards. Both Gardevoir and Gengar are challenging to obtain; thus, if you’re considering crafting these cards, ensure you truly enjoy the deck’s mechanics. Should you find it unsatisfactory, Gardevoir is also a key component in various Mewtwo strategies, ensuring it won’t be a complete loss.
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