Gengar ex Guide (Deck, Strategy, Counter)

Gengar has been a staple in most competitive Pokemon games for the unique twist it brings to matches, and Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Gengar ex is no exception. This quirky Pokemon can be used to create a disruptive and limiting deck that completely shuts down the Sabrina META. Here’s a guide to help you build a Pokemon Pocket deck that takes full advantage of Gengar ex’s abilities.

Gengar ex Card Overview

• HP: 170
• ATK: Spooky Shot = 100 (requires three Psychic Energy)
• Ability: Shadowy Spellbind = As long as this Pokemon is in the Active Spot, your opponent can’t use any Supporter cards from their hand.
• Weakness: Dark-Type

Gengar ex is a utility-heavy card known for its disruption and destruction effects. Its utility comes from its ability, which disables all enemy Supporters when activated. Meanwhile, its basic attack, Spooky Shot, delivers an impressive 100 damage with just three Energy points, making Gengar ex both disruptive and destructive in battle.

The Best Deck for Gengar ex

Gengar ex performs best in a resistance and build-up deck, supported by sturdy Basics like Mewtwo and Kangaskhan. To assemble this lineup, combine Gengar ex, Mewtwo, and Kangaskhan with the following cards: Gastly, Haunter, Sabrina, Potion, Helix Fossil, Red Card, Poke Ball, and Professor’s Research.

Gengar Deck Synergies

• Gengar ex is the primary damage dealer. You’ll rely on other high-HP resistance cards like Mewtwo or Kangaskhan to set up the board for Gengar ex’s dominance.
• Sabrina and Red Card provide disruption. Sabrina deactivates the enemy’s Active Pokemon while Red Card shuffles their hand, disrupting their strategy.
• Gastly and Haunter are essential for evolving Gengar ex; these cards are non-negotiable.
• Helix Fossil serves as a decoy. If your opponent uses Sabrina to disrupt your resistance cards (Kangaskhan or Mewtwo), swap them with a Helix Fossil Item Card to bring them back into play the following round.
• Professor’s Research and Poke Ball are draw accelerators, helping you get the key cards (Gaslty, Haunter, and Gengar ex) onto the board as quickly as possible.

If you don’t want to rely on one evolution path in the Gengar ex deck, try adding the Pidgey > Pidgeotto > Pidgeot evolution line, so you have an alternative win condition.

How to Play Gengar ex Effectively

Here’s the ideal strategy for playing a Gengar ex deck:

1. Prioritize getting a high-HP Basic (Kangaskhan or Mewtwo) on the Active Spot to absorb damage and set up your board.

2. Place one decoy on the bench whenever possible, with Helix Fossil being the primary decoy to protect your key cards.

3. While the Active Pokemon is taking damage, build up your Gastly by giving it Energy and evolving it into Haunter. Use Poke Ball and Professor’s Research to draw Gastly and Haunter quickly.

4. Use Potion to keep your Active Pokemon alive and prolong the match, aiming to evolve Haunter with at least two Energy points.

5. Drop Sabrina to disrupt your opponent’s strategy just before you bring out Gengar ex.

6. Give enough Energy to your Active Pokemon so it’s ready to retreat when needed.

7. Evolve Haunter into Gengar ex and place it in the Active Spot to unleash its power.

How to Counter Gengar ex

Gengar ex is vulnerable to Dark-type decks, which can exploit its weaknesses. You can counter it effectively with a Koga, Muk, and Weezing trio, which focuses on faster build-up and disrupting Gengar ex’s pace. Additionally, using Red Card can mess with Gengar ex decks by forcing the opponent to shuffle their hand, making it difficult for slow-build decks like Gengar ex’s to maintain their setup.

How Good Is a Gengar ex Deck?

In the current metagame of Pokemon TCG Pocket, Gengar ex’s deck is considered a low-tier lineup. This is mainly due to two factors: 1) Gengar ex has a slower-than-average build-up. It requires two evolutions and three Energy points before it can perform its primary attack. 2) Countering Gengar ex is relatively simple, as most decks already include META tech cards capable of stopping or interrupting its strategy.