Table of Contents
A1a-018 is getting even stronger in this expansion, thanks to some powerful new tools. A2-050 provides easier Energy generation, while A2a-023 offers both bulk and a solid backup damage option when A1a-018 isn’t online. This deck is shaping up to be a serious threat in the meta—one you’ll definitely want to keep an eye on, especially since it can also hold its own against the A2a-071 and A2-119 matchup!
In this guide, we’ll break down:
Let’s dive in and see why this deck is making waves in the meta!
| Pros | Cons |
| + A1a-018’s 140 damage, combined with A2-148, perfectly lines up against many meta threats in the 140-150 HP range. | - Vulnerable to bench swaps and bench hitters – If you can’t find A1a-018 in time, certain matchups can exploit this. |
| + Can’t be one-shot in a meta where 140-150 damage is common. | - A combination of weak opening hands can brick the deck. |
| + A2-050 makes it easier to power up A1a-018 quickly. | |
| + When everything clicks, the deck snowballs fast. | |
| + A1-220 is no longer as critical for setup, making the deck more flexible. |
General Strategy
The main goal is to get A1a-018 up and running as fast as possible. With A2-148 and its 140 damage, it can one-shot most meta Pokémon with ease!
Early Game – Setting Up
- Start with A2-050 whenever possible. It provides early protection and accelerates Energy to your attackers. If you started with another Pokémon, A1a-068 can help retreat so you can activate A2-050 right away.
- If you start with A1a-017, retreat it immediately with its attack—30 HP makes it an easy KO if left exposed.
- If you start with A2a-023, assess the situation. If it’s likely to get KO’d early, you may need to leave it active and focus Energy on A1a-017 instead, especially if you already have A1a-018 in hand.
- Prioritize Energy attachments to A1a-017 and A2a-023 to prepare for mid-game power plays.
- Attach A2-148 to A2-050 or A2a-023 to help secure knockouts on bulkier Pokémon beyond A1a-018’s 140-damage threshold.
- Bench A1a-017 carefully, spacing it out to avoid being targeted by A1-225’s swap effect.
Mid Game – Unleashing Gyarados
- If running A1-220, prioritize attaching it to A1a-017 unless A2a-023 is a better option based on the matchup.
- If A2-050 is knocked out, consider placing A2a-023 in the active spot if A1a-018 isn’t online yet.
- Use A1a-068 strategically—having it in hand gives you more flexibility to retreat and reposition attackers as needed.
- Evaluate your opponent’s strategy—decide if A1-225 can be used to stall them or if it’s better saved for later when they start throwing Pokémon into A1a-018.
- If A1a-018 gets knocked out, A2a-023 steps in as a strong backup attacker.
- Once A1a-018 has four Energy, it becomes a major threat. Look for early knockouts on 140-150 HP Pokémon to swing the game in your favor.
Late Game – Closing Out the Match
- By this stage, A1a-018 should be fully online and dominating the board.Use A1-225, A2-150, or A1-223 to secure knockouts and capitalize on weakened Pokémon.
- If the opponent’s board is weak, consider retreating A1a-018 using A1a-068, switching to A2a-023 instead to keep Gyarados safe and avoid an unnecessary KO.
Optimal Deck
Pokémon
A1a-018 – The deck’s primary win condition. With four Energy, A1a-018 deals 140 damage, and when paired with A2-148, it can break past key 150 HP threats. The goal is to set up Gyarados quickly using A2-050, while A2a-023 serves as a backup attacker or tank. Its 180 HP makes it difficult to take down in one hit, allowing it to attack again.
A1a-017 / A1a-018 Line – Since A1a-017 is fragile and vulnerable to early knockouts, it’s essential to set it up safely behind A2-050 or A2a-023. Evolving quickly is crucial to avoid disruption and maintain tempo.
A2a-023 – Your backup tank and secondary attacker. If A1a-018 isn’t ready, A2a-023 can hold the board, take hits, and dish out damage. It also serves as one of the best A2-050 targets, helping maintain Energy flow.
A2-050 – The deck’s Energy engine. Provides early acceleration to ensure A1a-018 comes online as quickly as possible. A2-050 can also act as a bench target with A2-148 in slower games, soaking up hits while you set up attackers.
Trainer Cards
A1a-068 – Essential for pivoting between attackers and ensuring A1a-018 enters the field immediately. Also important for activating A2-050 if you don’t start with it.
A2-148 – The extra chip damage ensures knockouts on 150 HP threats like A2a-071 and A2-119. Also counters A2a-071’s Giant Cape users.
A2a-072 – Unlike in 18-Trainer decks, A2a-072 isn’t as critical here, since A1a-018 typically enters the field already fully charged. As for healing A2a-023, it’s generally not worth investing Energy for healing when it’s better spent on A1a-018.
A2-146 – Helps improve deck consistency, since not finding A1a-018 early can be game-losing.
PROMO-007 & PROMO-005 – Core draw cards for deck consistency.
A1-225 (Optional) – Counters one of the deck’s biggest weaknesses: opponents throwing fodder into A1a-018 to stall while they set up their win condition. A well-timed swap can disrupt their strategy and force better trades, taking advantage of A1a-018’s high damage. Also useful early game to stall opponents and activate A2-050 more times.
A1-220 (Optional) – Still a viable backup, though not as necessary as before. Helps in bad opening hands (e.g., starting with only A2a-023 or A1a-017 with no other Pokémon, making setup harder). Also a game-changer in slow matchups like Water mirrors, where one successful heads flip can turn the game. If you need flexibility, this is one of the first cuts to consider.
Alternative Options
A2-147 – A tech option for added bulk, useful for protecting A2-050, especially if chip damage isn’t needed or A2a-023 is facing threats under 130 HP.
A2-150 – An alternative to A1-225 if you prefer securing knockouts over disruption. Works especially well with A2-148, forcing opponents to take damage when attacking.
A1-223 – A great inclusion if you need to one-shot bulkier Pokémon like A2a-071 or A2-119 without relying on A2-148.
A2-155 – Worth considering, since A2-050 floods Energy onto the board, allowing you to transfer it to an attacker when needed. However, it doesn’t fit the two-turn, four-Energy setup for A1a-018, so it’s better suited for A2a-023 instead.
Final Thoughts
Thank you for reading this guide! It might be time to dust off the old A1-089 A1a-056 build, especially since this deck can also hold its own against A2a-071 + A2-119. It’s a strong deck to have at your disposal in the current meta.
You can also check out our other guides for more insights! With the ranked format coming later this month, mastering this deck now will put you in a great position to climb the leaderboard and dominate matchups!
