Gym Leader Challenge format (TCG)
The Gym Leader Challenge format of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, sometimes abbreviated as "GLC", is an unofficial format created by Pokémon TCG player and influencer Andrew Mahone on July 14, 2021.[1]
The name is a reference to how Gym Leaders in the Pokémon games often specialize in just one Pokémon type, that being one of GLC's rules. The format was created by Mahone in response to the prominence of Pokémon with a Rule Box, which tend to have higher HP and powerful attacks. It is also envisioned by Mahone as a "singleton" format, hence the one card rule.[1]
Rules
The Gym Leader Challenge format is mainly derived from the Expanded format (i.e. cards from the Black & White expansion onward are legal), with the following rules:[2]
- A deck can contain only one type of Pokémon.
- Dual-type Pokémon are allowed in decks focusing on either of their types, as long as they have the type innately. For example, Volcarona (Steam Siege 15) is a dual-type Grass/Fire Pokémon, so it is allowed in either a Grass-type or Fire-type deck; however, Gallade (Cosmic Eclipse 82) is innately a Psychic-type Pokémon (even though the "Double Type" Ability makes it both a Psychic-type and Fighting-type while in play), so it can only be played in a Psychic-type deck.[3]
- Only one copy of each card with the same name can be put in a deck, except for Basic Energy cards, which a deck can have multiple copies of. Any type of Basic Energy cards are allowed regardless of the Pokémon's type.[3]
- Note that the official Pokémon TCG ruling that a deck can only have either Boss's Orders or Lysandre (not both) remains in place. This also applies to Professor Juniper, Professor Sycamore, and Professor's Research, of which a deck can only contain one of the three. Other cards that share the same effects are allowed as long as they have different names, e.g. Hop and Hau.[3]
- A deck may not contain any of these cards:
- Cards with a Rule Box. This includes Pokémon-EX, Pokémon-GX, Prism Star cards (including Prism Star Trainer and Energy cards), Pokémon V, Radiant Pokémon, Pokémon ex, etc.
- ACE SPEC cards.
- Cards that cannot be used in official tournaments.
- There is also a ban list (separate from the Expanded format ban list), which includes the following cards:[4]
| Cards banned from the Gym Leader Challenge format Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format. Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats. | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Card | Type | Mark | English Expansion |
Rarity | # | Japanese Expansion |
Rarity | # | ||
| Lysandre's Trump Card | Su | Phantom Forces | 
|
|
99/119 | Phantom Gate | 
|
|
086/088 | |
| Phantom Forces |
|
|
118/119 | Phantom Gate |
|
|
095/088 | |||
| Oranguru | 
|
|
Ultra Prism | 
|
|
114/156 | Ultra Sun | 
|
|
052/066 |
| GX Starter Decks | 
|
101/131 | ||||||||
| Forest of Giant Plants | St | Ancient Origins | 
|
|
74/98 | Bandit Ring | 
|
|
079/081 | |
| Premium Champion Pack | 
|
127/131 | ||||||||
| Premium Trainer Box | 
|
016/018 | ||||||||
| The Best of XY | 
|
154/171 | ||||||||
| Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Deck Build Boxes | 
|
038/041 | ||||||||
| Chip-Chip Ice Axe | I | 
|
Unbroken Bonds | 
|
|
165/214 | Double Blaze | 
|
|
080/095 |
| Hiker | Su | 
|
Celestial Storm | 
|
|
133/168 | SM-P Promotional cards | 
|
107/SM-P | |
| Hidden Fates | 
|
|
SV85/SV94 | GX Ultra Shiny | 
|
|
156/150 | |||
| Kyogre | 
|
|
Shining Fates | 
|
|
021/072 | Shiny Star V | 
|
|
036/190 |
| Pokémon Research Lab | St |
|
Unified Minds | 
|
|
205/236 | Miracle Twin | 
|
|
089/094 |
Acknowledgement
The Gym Leader Challenge format has been acknowledged in official Pokémon materials and events. It is included in the official Pokémon TCG Alternative Play Handbook,[5] and has been featured as a side event in tournaments such as the 2022 World Championships and the 2023 Europe International Championships.[6][7] Some TCG-related posts on Pokémon.com mention cards that can work well in GLC.[8][9][10]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "The OFFICIAL introduction to Gym Leader Challenge: a custom Pokémon TCG format." Tricky Gym. YouTube.
- ↑ Rules — Gym Leader Challenge
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 FAQ and Rulings — Gym Leader Challenge
- ↑ Ban List — Gym Leader Challenge
- ↑ Pokémon TCG Alternative Play Handbook
- ↑ "Pokémon World Championships Side Events." Pokemon.com
- ↑ "Pokémon Europe International Championships Side Events." Pokemon.com
- ↑ Kyurem VMAX, Hisuian Arcanine, and more in Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Lost Origin
- ↑ A first look at Tinkatuff, Chi-Yu ex, and More in Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Paldea Evolved
- ↑ Shine Bright with Mimikyu, Gardevoir ex, Charizard ex, and more in Scarlet & Violet—Paldean Fates
External links
- Official website
- Official introductory video
- Gym Leader Challenge playlist on the Tricky Gym YouTube channel
- Gym Leader Challenge playlist on the OmniPoke YouTube channel (includes video guides)
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This article is part of both Project TCG and Project Fandom, Bulbapedia projects that, together, aim to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon TCG and Fandom, respectively. | 
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