Image courtesy of TCGdex.net
Gallade V: A Fighting Blade in the TCG Arena
In the expansive world of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Gallade V stands out as a striking blend of elegance and power. This holo-foil Basic Fighting type from the Lost Origin set carries a hefty 220 HP, a rarity tag of Ultra Rare, and a design that mirrors the character’s sword-wielding precision from the video games. Its V-suffix marks it as a force multiplier in the modern TCG meta, where big swings and smart timing can tilt the game in a single turn. The artwork’s shimmer, the blade’s lines, and the card’s compact silhouette all communicate a promise: Gallade V can cut through defenses when you play your turns with tempo and patience. ⚡🔥
Two Attacks, Two Paths to Victory
- Rising Sword — Cost: Fighting, Colorless. This attack starts at 20 base damage and climbs aggressively the more Prize cards you’ve taken: this attack does 50 more damage for each Prize card you have taken.
- Buster Swing — Cost: Fighting, Fighting, Colorless. A stout 130 damage that’s not affected by Resistance.
These two lines mirror the dual nature of Gallade as a fighter who can adapt his approach mid‑match. Rising Sword rewards calculated risk. If you’re trailing on prizes, the attack scales up quickly—encouraging a game plan that trades efficiently and pressures the opponent’s board state. If you’re already ahead, you can close the game with careful retreat steps and tempo plays as the damage ramps. The Buster Swing provides a reliable payoff when you’ve built a favorable setup, giving you a direct answer to heavy‑hit strategies that opponents deploy late in the game. With a 220 HP profile, Gallade V can weather early exchanges while you set up your decisive strike. ⚔️
From a gameplay perspective, the energy requirements shape how you deploy this card. The Rising Sword cost demands a steady stream of Fighting energy plus a Colorless attachment, making it a natural fit for decks that accelerate Fighting energy or leverage energy-doubling effects. The heavier Buster Swing demands more resources, but the payoff is compelling: a high‑impact swing that stays potent regardless of an opponent’s resistances. The retreat cost sits at 2, which nudges you toward careful retreat planning and bench management as you keep Gallade V ready for the next prize swing. 🎮
Lost Origin and the holo aesthetic
Lost Origin gave Gallade V a showcase moment with its holo treatment. The card’s V designation signals a standout, and the set’s broad distribution of fighting-types helps players link Gallade V into diverse aggressive or mid‑range builds. While this particular listing notes a holo variant in a basic form, it’s important to recognize that first edition prints aren’t part of this data—these releases are labeled non‑first edition, which is common for modern printings. The holo finish adds a collectible sheen to the blade’s arc and to the figure on the card, appealing to players who value aesthetics as part of the experience. 💎
As with many Lost Origin cards, the illustrated art—though not explicitly credited in the provided data—fosters a sense of motion: Gallade’s blade arcs through space, capturing the intensity of a duel and the precision that the swordfighter embodies. For collectors, holo variants often fetch a premium in casual markets, even as the card’s power continues to define strategic value on the table. The combination of 220 HP, the swift-Rising Sword mechanic, and a dependable Buster Swing makes this Gallade V a compelling centerpiece for aggressive Fighting decks. 🎨
Format, legality, and market pulse
The card’s Regulation Mark is F, and it’s listed as legal in Expanded but not Standard in the provided data. This positions Gallade V as a staple for players who enjoy Extended rotation windows, where you can experiment with a broader toolbox of Energy acceleration and Trainer options. In the market, Cardmarket data places an average price around €8.23 for the Gallade V drop, with a low around €4 and an interesting trend metric near 7.98. For collectors who chase holo varieties or near‑mint copies, those figures can climb depending on condition and supply. The absence of a dedicated holo price in the dataset doesn’t diminish the observation: rarity and finish combine to make it a desirable upgrade for steady, mid‑range fighting decks. 🪙
From a strategic lens, the card’s flexibility is a boon in Expanded formats where you can pair Gallade V with a wider spectrum of energy accelerators, trainer search, and gust effects that set up your Rising Sword culmination. Its 2‑retreat cost is manageable in mid‑range builds, and the dual‑attack structure invites you to turn timing into advantage—pushing for big numbers when you’ve leaned into the prize lead or stalling with resource denial when you’re behind. This is a card that rewards planning, not just brute force. 🎴
Collecting, art, and a blade that travels well
For collectors, Gallade V embodies the modern era’s love of dynamic art and high‑impact stats. The Lost Origin holo version is a classic example of how a well‑designed V card can balance collectible appeal with practical gameplay. While the illustrator credit isn’t specified in the dataset, the holo’s gleam and the linework evoke Gallade’s poised stance—ready to swing with precision in both fiction and the game’s mechanics. The “V” lineage marks a transitional phase in TCG design, where bulk HP and big attacks are the new normal for strategic threats on the bench. 💎🎴
Deck ideas and practical play tips
- Open with Gallade V on the bench to threaten early with Rising Sword, especially if you anticipate your opponent taking a couple of Prize cards in the opening turns.
- Augment your energy acceleration with supporting Fighting-type tools and search engines to ensure you hit the right energy mix for both Rising Sword and Buster Swing.
- Plan around the prize count: use Rising Sword as your tempo finisher when you’re ahead on prizes or clutch it when you can equalize the prize trade to reach a final knock‑out.
- Keep one or two Energy cards ready to retreat Gallade V if the situation demands, preserving board presence for the next two‑turn sequence.
- Incorporate the holo variant into a display or binder due to its aesthetic appeal; this can be a talking point during local tournaments and trade events. ⚡🔥