CARD INFORMATION

SUBTYPES:
- Basic
HP: 50
TYPES:
- Psychic
EVOLVES TO:
- Haunter
WEAKNESSES:
- TYPE: Darkness
- VALUE: ×2
RESISTANCES:
- TYPE: Fighting
- VALUE: -30
RETREATCOST:
- Colorless
RETREAT COST: 1
RARITY: Common
FLAVOR TEXT: With its gas-like body, it can sneak into any place it desires. However, it can be blown away by wind.
REGULATIONMARK: E

CARD ABILITIES

This card has no abilities

CARD ATTACKS

NAME: Sleep Pulse
COST:
- Psychic
ENERGY COST: 1
DAMAGE: 10
DETAILS: Flip a coin. If heads, your opponent's Active Pokémon is now Asleep.

MARKET PRICES FOR GASTLY 💰

Last updated: 2025/10/11

HIGH	4.99	USD
MID	0.10	USD	TREND
LOW	0.03	USD

Check the latest prices on:

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The humble Gastly from Chilling Reign might seem underwhelming at first glance, but this ghostly Basic Pokémon packs surprising utility for its simplicity.

With its single-energy attack and unique type advantages, this card can serve as more than just evolution fodder in the right deck.

Let's analyze what makes this spectral starter worth considering for competitive play.

Offensive rating: 3/10

Gastly's offensive capabilities are limited but strategically valuable.

Sleep Pulse deals a modest 10 damage for a single Psychic energy, which translates to a low damage-per-energy ratio.

However, the 50% chance to inflict the Sleep condition can disrupt opponents' momentum by potentially forcing them to waste turns or switch cards.

Sleep status can buy crucial setup time against aggressive decks or protect from powerful attacks.

Still, the inconsistency of the coin flip mechanic and minimal damage output severely limit its knockout potential, making Gastly primarily a stalling option rather than a true offensive threat.

Survival rating: 3/10

With just 50 HP, Gastly is extremely fragile and vulnerable to being knocked out in a single attack by most competitive deck strategies.

However, it does have two significant defensive attributes that enhance its survivability.

First, its Fighting resistance (-30) provides meaningful protection against popular Fighting-type attackers, potentially allowing it to survive hits it otherwise wouldn't.

Second, its low retreat cost of just one Colorless energy gives it mobility to escape unfavorable matchups.

Unfortunately, its Darkness weakness is problematic in certain meta environments where Dark-type attackers are prevalent, making it extremely vulnerable in those matchups.

Versatility rating: 5/10

Gastly's versatility lies in its ability to function in multiple roles despite its apparent simplicity.

As an evolution base for the Haunter/Gengar line, it provides access to potentially powerful evolved forms.

Its Psychic typing gives it strategic advantages against certain archetypes, particularly Fighting decks.

The Sleep condition from Sleep Pulse offers disruptive potential across various matchups, even against high-HP powerhouses.

Its low retreat cost enables it to function as a pivot Pokémon when needed.

However, its limited attack options and specialized application narrow its overall flexibility, making it most valuable in specific deck archetypes rather than as a universal tech option.

Speed/Setup rating: 8/10

Gastly requires minimal setup investment, which is one of its key strengths.

Being a Basic Pokémon, it can be played directly to the bench without evolution requirements.

Sleep Pulse needs just one Psychic energy, meaning it can attack on the first turn with manual energy attachment or support from energy acceleration cards.

This operational speed allows Gastly to start disrupting opponents immediately while you build up your main strategy.

Its searchability through common Basic Pokémon support cards like Quick Ball, Level Ball, or Pokémon Communication enhances consistency.

The simplicity of its requirements makes it a reliable early-game option that can be deployed with minimal resource investment.

Gastly works best in decks that can capitalize on its Sleep-inducing capabilities or quickly evolve it into stronger forms.

Energy acceleration cards help ensure it can attack immediately, while cards that manipulate coin flips maximize its Sleep Pulse effectiveness.

Recovery cards that return it to hand after being knocked out provide additional utility by allowing repeated access to its evolution line.

Perfect Partners examples:

Gengar VMAX

As Gastly's final evolution, Gengar VMAX provides a powerful endgame attacker that justifies including the evolution line. Its G-Max Swallow attack can take advantage of Pokémon that Gastly previously put to Sleep.

Victini (Sword & Shield)

Victini's Victory Star ability lets you reflip a coin once during your turn, dramatically improving the consistency of Gastly's Sleep Pulse attack and increasing its utility as a disruptive option.

Fog Crystal

This Item card can either search for a Psychic Pokémon like Gastly or provide Psychic energy, offering dual utility that enhances both consistency and energy attachment for immediate Sleep Pulse usage.

Gastly from Chilling Reign exemplifies how even seemingly modest cards can find strategic niches in the competitive landscape.

While it won't win games on its own, its combination of low energy requirements, Sleep-inducing potential, and Fighting resistance makes it more than mere evolution fodder.

The card shines in early-game disruption, buying crucial setup time while you prepare stronger attackers.

Its greatest strengths are undoubtedly its operational speed and minimal resource requirements, allowing it to function effectively from the first turn.

Players should consider Gastly as a tactical component in Psychic-focused decks, particularly those utilizing the Gengar evolution line or strategies that benefit from status conditions.

In the right deck construction, this ghostly troublemaker can haunt opponents far more effectively than its modest stats might suggest.