After being sidelined since Pokémon TCG Pocket’s Genetic Apex expansion, Gengar A2a 033 has finally clawed its way into the spotlight—proving it’s more than just a “fringe” card. A surprising run in a recent high-stakes tournament has put this Triumphant Light variant on the radar for competitive players around the world.
From Overlooked to Overpowered?
Gengar A2a 033, a Stage 2 Pokémon with a modest 70 damage attack, was mostly ignored in competitive play due to its slow setup and low payoff. Even after its reprint in the Triumphant Light expansion, the general consensus remained unchanged: the card wasn’t worth building around.
That all changed at Ursiiday’s $10,000 Pokémon TCG Pocket tournament, where a player named HydraPika piloted a Gengar-centric deck to a 4th place finish in the Swiss rounds, outperforming thousands of other competitors.
The Hidden Strength of the Asleep Condition
What makes Gengar A2a 033 viable now? It comes down to a subtle mechanic: its ability to inflict the Asleep condition. While its 70 damage seems underwhelming on paper, players noticed that Asleep often persists into the opponent’s turn—especially if they fail the coin flip or can’t clear the status.
Reddit analysts noted that this allowed Gengar to often attack twice before being countered, effectively dealing 140 damage, enough to swing matchups that were previously unfavorable. This simple but powerful synergy appears to be the card’s key to success.
Rare Candy: The True Enabler
A major factor behind Gengar’s recent viability is the inclusion of Rare Candy, a new Item card that allows players to skip directly to Stage 2 evolution. This card dramatically shortens Gengar’s setup time, effectively turning it into a Stage 1 threat and removing one of the biggest barriers to its playability.
Supporting Cast: Oricorio A3 077 & Tapu Lele A3 084
HydraPika’s deck wasn’t a one-monster show. It also featured:
-
Oricorio A3 077: A revenge attacker that cleans up after Gengar weakens opponents.
-
Tapu Lele A3 084: A powerful answer to Giratina ex and Darkrai ex, dominant forces in the current meta.
These supporting Pokémon not only filled strategic gaps in the deck but also made Gengar’s presence on the field more sustainable and threatening.
Community Buzz and Meta Impact
The success of Gengar A2a 033 has sparked lively discussions across Pokémon communities. Competitive players are re-evaluating older cards, theorizing new deck lists, and testing Gengar builds with great interest. Meanwhile, prices for Gengar and Rare Candy are on the rise as demand increases.
Gengar A2a 033’s rise from forgotten fringe card to legitimate threat in Pokémon TCG Pocket proves that the meta is always evolving—and that even the most overlooked cards can become meta-defining with the right synergy and support.
Whether you’re a competitive player or a collector, now may be the time to give Gengar a second look.