Ascended Heroes·#259·2025
Counter Gain is a strategic Pokémon Tool card, not a Pokémon, that has been a consistent staple in the Trading Card Game, offering crucial support to various deck archetypes. This specific card, #259 from the 2025 Ascended Heroes set, is a highly sought-after secret rare, making it a standout for both competitive players and collectors. Here, you'll discover the card's unique mechanics, including its energy cost reduction effect when you're behind in Prize cards, its illustrator, and its place in TCG history.
Read more ↓Counter Gain is not a Pokémon, but rather a Pokémon Tool card, an item that can be attached to a Pokémon to provide a beneficial effect during battle. As such, it does not have Pokédex lore, a natural habitat, diet, or evolution line. Pokémon Tool cards were introduced early in the Pokémon Trading Card Game's history, evolving from the "Trainer" card category. Tools often manipulate energy costs, damage output, or provide defensive boons, playing a strategic role in tailoring a Pokémon's capabilities to specific match-ups or game states. Their type matchups are irrelevant as they are not Pokémon themselves, but their utility can significantly influence the flow of a game. These cards are essential components of many competitive decks, allowing players to customize their strategies and adapt to various challenges. Counter Gain specifically plays into the "comeback" mechanic, rewarding players who are behind in Prize cards, a common theme in the TCG designed to keep games engaging until the very end. Its design and effect reflect the ongoing evolution of game mechanics to promote dynamic and strategic play.
Last updated: April 7, 2026
