Why Gallade’s Unique Stats Define Its TCG Role

In TCG ·

Gallade card art from Cosmic Eclipse by Huang Tzu En

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Gallade’s Dual Presence: How Its Stats Shape Its Role in the TCG Palette

In the expansive universe of Cosmic Eclipse, one Secret Rare stands out not just for its eye-catching artwork but for the way its stats redefine how you build and pilot a deck. Gallade, illustrated by Huang Tzu En, carries a unique twist: a built-in “Double Type” ability that makes this Stage 2 Psychic Pokémon also function as Fighting in the moment you need it. ⚡ This dual nature isn’t just flavor—it directly informs tempo, matchups, and late-game decision-making as you guide a Gallade from Kirlia’s evolving beginnings to a battlefield-ready powerhouse.

Key stats at a glance: what to expect from this Gallade

  • HP: 160 — sturdy enough to weather early skirmishes and survive big blows in the late game, especially when you’re forcing your opponent into resource-intensive plays.
  • Type: Psychic (with Double Type making it also Fighting while in play) — this is the heart of the card’s strategic tension: you can present yourself as a Psychic attacker, then pivot to a Fighting-leaning plan mid-game.
  • Stage: Stage 2 (evolves from Kirlia) — a reminder that patient development pays off, as you ramp into a stronger, late-game threat.
  • Attacks: Power Cyclone — Cost: Colorless, Colorless; Effect: Move an Energy from this Pokémon to 1 of your Benched Pokémon; Damage: 120.
  • Weakness: Psychic ×2 — a vulnerability you’ll want to consider when pairing Gallade with teammates who can cover its weak points.
  • Retreat: 2 — a modest toll that nudges you toward smart energy management or a Supporter-driven reset when things get tight.
  • Rarity & Set: Secret Rare from Cosmic Eclipse — a coveted collector’s gem that also signals strong, flexible play in Expanded formats.
  • Illustrator: Huang Tzu En — the artwork carries a dynamic, blade-wielding silhouette that has fans speculating about how the character’s dual nature translates into the card’s on-table philosophy.

Factoring in these numbers, you can see why collectors chase Gallade’s Secret Rare print, but the card isn’t just a pretty face. The Power Cyclone attack, in particular, gives you a surprising mid-game pivot: you can drain energy from Gallade and transfer it to a bench-composed attacker that’s better positioned to close out a tougher matchup. This is more than a “big number” attack; it’s a tempo tool that rewards disciplined energy placement and hit-and-run planning. 🔥

How Double Type reshapes deckbuilding and matchups

The centerpiece of Gallade’s design is its Double Type ability. While Gallade sits in play, it operates as both Psychic and Fighting. In practice, this means you can leverage Psychic-type attacks to target certain opponents while snapping in a Fighting-type threat when a different bin of weaknesses or resistances comes into play. It’s a clever way to diversify your offensive options without needing to swap in a different Pokémon mid-game. This dual nature also broadens your synergy web—think along lines of pairing with teammates that benefit from Fighting-type tempo or Psychic-type disruption, depending on the opposing deck’s architecture. 🎴 From a purely strategic lens, the ability invites creative bench pressure. If your plan hinges on stalling with protective options while you power up a secondary attacker, Power Cyclone’s energy-shuffling mechanic becomes a bridge between Gallade’s staying power and your board state. In this sense, Gallade rewards careful energy budgeting: you’re arranging your resources not just to deal 120 damage, but to keep your bench well-positioned for the next two or three turns. The result is a patient, resilient playstyle that can outlast faster, one-shot Pikachu & Zekrom-EX echoes or other heavy hitters in Expanded formats. ⚡💎

Role in a Cosmic Eclipse construction: survivability meets versatility

Cosmic Eclipse is a set famous for its versatility and the breadth of trainer and Pokémon options. Gallade’s 160 HP helps it weather early trades and threaten later-game knockouts, while its Energy relocation capacity gives you a reliable way to accelerate pressure on the opponent’s board. The card’s Stage 2 status emphasizes a mid-to-late-game spike—the moment you’ve evolved Kirlia into Gallade, you’ve unlocked a reliable closing tool that can shift momentum even when your opponent thinks they have you cornered. And because it’s a holo-level Secret Rare, it catches the eye of collectors who want a centerpiece for a deck that fuses elegance with strategic depth. 🎨 Of course, no discussion would be complete without acknowledging the format realities. In Expanded, Gallade is eligible for a broader array of combos and supporters, and its synergy with energy manipulation can pair well with card draw, bench protection, and energy denial effects. The card’s weakness to Psychic-type attackers is a factor to respect, but it’s a hurdle that can be mitigated with proper matchups and partner cards. All of this combines into a package that offers both spectacle and practical play value for dedicated players and collectors alike. 🎮

Market whispers: value trends for a Secret Rare gem

On the collecting side, Gallade from Cosmic Eclipse sits among the more intriguing tabs of price history. CardMarket shows an average value around €7.02 with a modest low around €1 and a recent trend around €7.06, suggesting steady interest but not runaway inflation for this print. On the U.S. market, TCGPlayer data for holo versions indicates a spectrum from a low around $6.41 to a mid around $12.21 and a high approaching $50 for particularly nice copies or early printings, with market price hovering near $10.13 and direct-buy options near $11.99. For a Secret Rare, that’s a healthy, collectible-friendly profile that also reflects the card’s play value in Expanded decks. It’s the kind of mix that appeals to both players who want a robust, flexible attacker and collectors who want a strong chase card from a popular set. 💎

As the market continues to glide through the ebb and flow of standard rotations and expanded opportunities, Gallade’s aura as a dual-type fighter with a shrewd energy-shift attack remains a compelling narrative for both tournament-ready lists and showpiece collections. It’s easy to see why artists, gamers, and traders alike are drawn to a card that plays with type, tempo, and tension in equal measure. 🔥

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