Gallade ex Full Guide

A2-095’s stocks have been rising in Pokémon TCG Pocket, thanks to its strong A2a-071 A2-119 matchup and solid performance against many top meta threats. With its high-damage potential and minimal Energy investment, A2-095 has become a go-to choice for players looking to consistently secure one-shots while maintaining strong board control.

This guide will help you master A2-095 by covering:

• Strengths
• Weaknesses
• How to Play
• Most Optimal Deck Build

Let’s dive in and see why this deck is becoming a meta powerhouse!

Pros	Cons
+A2-095’s low Energy cost lets it apply extreme pressure. It punishes high-energy Pokémon and secures easy knockouts, especially when paired with Rocky Helmet to secure HP thresholds.	- Highly reliant on A2-095 as the main attacker. Not drawing into the A2-068 → A2-069 → A2-095 line can be game-losing.
+ A2-095 is a natural counter to A2a-071 and A2-119. Its damage scaling against high-energy threats makes it one of the best decks to counter A2a-071 + A2-119, which is currently one of the strongest decks in the meta.	- A2-095 either steamrolls or struggles hard. It can obliterate high-energy Pokémon, but low-energy attackers that don’t feed into its damage boost make for a difficult matchup.
+ Targeting the Bench disrupts certain playstyles. This is especially effective against decks that rely on building up a massive Pokémon on the Bench, forcing awkward board states.	-Vulnerable to Bench swaps and disruption. Most Pokémon in the deck, like A2-069 and A1a-047, have low HP, making decks that run double A1-225 or A2-150 (like 18T decks) a particularly difficult matchup.

General Strategy

A2-095 thrives on efficient knockouts, setting up threats with chip damage before delivering a single, decisive blow. Your primary goal in the early game is to weaken opponents using A1-154 and A2-148, ensuring that when A2-095 comes into play, it can one-shot opponents, especially on its first attack. This allows A2-095 to survive an attack and secure another knockout, maintaining pressure and control over the game.

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1. Early Game – Set Up Damage and Control the Board

• Ideally, start with A1-154 to soften up enemies on the Bench, making future knockouts easier. If you can take down a low-HP Pokémon early, even better.
• If you started with A2-068, consider whether you want to retreat into A1-154 or stay Active—if you already have A2-069 and A2-095 in hand, it may be better to stay in the Active position and evolve smoothly.
• Begin evolving A2-068 into A2-095 as soon as possible to prepare for mid-game transitions.
• Attach A2-148 to your Active Pokémon to punish opponents for attacking, forcing them into awkward positions where they take additional chip damage.
• If you're using A2a-036 or A1-198, focus on attacking right away as a stall option while setting up A2-095 or A1a-047 for later.

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2. Mid-Game – Control Damage Thresholds

• Use A2-155 as a disruption tool to limit your opponent’s options, especially since A1-154 pressures them to hold Pokémon in hand rather than benching them.
• Play around A1-225—since A2-069 only has 80 HP, it's important to set another Pokémon on the Bench whenever possible to avoid being disrupted.
• If A2-095 isn’t available, use A1a-047 as a backup finisher to clean up low-HP targets.

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3. Late Game – Finish with A2-095

• With A2-095’s high HP, you can ensure it survives at least one attack, so the ideal scenario is to knock out one Pokémon immediately, then secure a second knockout on the next turn.
• A2-150 plays a crucial role in setting up this chain of knockouts, helping you control the tempo of the game and closing out matchups efficiently.

Optimal Deck

Pokémon

• A2-095 – The deck’s primary win condition. With just two Energy, A2-095 can one-shot most Pokémon if they have enough Energy attached. The goal is to weaken threats with A1-154 and A2-148, then let A2-095 clean up efficiently. Its high HP allows it to take a hit, setting up a two-KO sequence with A2-150.
• A2-068 / A2-069 – The A2-095 evolution line. Since A2-069 only has 80 HP, it’s vulnerable to A1-225 resets, making it important to have extra Pokémon on the Bench to avoid disruptions.
• A1a-047 – Backup damage dealer when A2-095 isn’t available. Functions as a 1-point attacker, allowing A2-095 to be saved as a final option. A1a-047 can clean up weakened targets from earlier chip damage.
• A1-154 – The deck’s main chip damage provider. Spreads early damage to set up knockouts for A2-095 or, in some cases, can take down low-HP Pokémon on its own. Ideally paired with A2-148, forcing opponents into awkward trades. It’s also useful against A2-089 and A2-049 matchups, where targeting them early ensures they can be pulled and KO'd before dealing damage.

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Trainer Cards

• A2-148 – Key tool for forcing chip damage. Punishes opponents for attacking, making it easier for A2-095 to secure knockouts later. Essential for controlling HP thresholds.
• A2-155 – Not essential, but can be a solid disruption tool. Since A1-154’s presence prevents the opponent from benching Pokémon, forces them to hold Pokémon in hand—which can then be shuffled away by A2-155.
• A2-150 – A key card for early-game disruption when paired with A1-154. In the late game, it enables A2-095 to chain two knockouts in a row by controlling the opponent’s board presence and setting up crucial plays.
• A2-146 – Highly useful for finding the A2-095 line faster. You can cut 1 copy, but running 2 copies is highly recommended for consistency.
• PROMO-005 & PROMO-007 – Mandatory draw cards to ensure deck consistency.

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Alternative Options

• A2a-036 – A solid alternative to A1-154 for players who don’t like the hit-the-bench playstyle. Works better against 18T decks and A2a-071, where you will face them head-on, and they are mostly EX Pokémon. It allows you to set up for A2-095 or A1a-047, but requires careful play. If included, you may need PROMO-002 for easier retreating, or else it will be harder to bring out A2-095.
• A1-198 – Another alternative to A1-154, offering a more straightforward attacking option. Similar to A2a-036, it works better in matchups where direct aggression is stronger—especially against huge HP tanks like A1-084 and A1-023.
• PROMO-002 – Not included, since you almost always have time to attach Energy to your Active Pokémon, given that A2-095 only requires two Energy. However, if running A2a-036, PROMO-002 becomes necessary to retreat more easily.
• A1-225 – If you cut A1-154, removing A2-155 can be an option, and A2-150 also loses some potency. In this case, A1-225 becomes a much stronger inclusion, offering better board control and disruption.

Final Thoughts

Thank you for reading this guide! We can now beat that nasty A2a-071 + A2-119, which I also made a guide for—you can check it [here]. Whether you're playing A2-095 or preparing to counter it, understanding its strengths, weaknesses, and optimal plays will give you an edge in the meta. With the ranked format coming later this month, mastering this deck now will put you in a strong position to climb the leaderboard and dominate matchups! 🚀