GLC Part One – An Introduction to the Gym Leader Challenge Format

By: Grant Manley · Posted Aug 24, 2021 at 6:03 PM · 0 Comments

Ladies and gentlemen, I am excited to bring you today’s article about a new format in the Pokemon TCG! The Gym Leader Challenge format is one that’s becoming more and more popular by the day. Although it isn’t an official format, there are still large tournaments being run for it, and many top-level players and content creators have picked it up. In my opinion, this format is fun, skillful, and legitimate enough to be more than just a fad, so I’m going to be talking all about it today.

YouTuber, streamer, and former PokeBeach writer Andrew Mahone (also known as Tricky Gym) is the creator of the Gym Leader Challenge format, which got its name due to the single-type teams, which mimic that of Gym Leaders from the video games. For clarity, I’ll be referring to it as GLC from now on.

A Brief Overview of GLC

Here are the rules:

[cardimg name=”Bunnelby” set=”Primal Clash” no=”121″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

The card pool is from BW-on, so it shares a pool with the Expanded format.
Cards with Rule Boxes are banned. All Pokemon V, GX, EX, BREAK, Prism Stars, Ace Specs, etc. are banned. This also extends to Ancient Trait Pokemon, so cards like [card name=”Bunnelby” set=”Primal Clash” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Articuno” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”17″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Regirock” set=”XY Black Star Promos” no=”XY49″ c=”name”][/card] are also banned. Although Ancient Traits aren’t technically Rule Boxes, they’re banned anyway because they’re way too strong.
Only one of each card with the same name is allowed in your deck, besides basic Energy. It’s a singleton format.
You may only have one type of Pokemon in your deck as this is a monotype format.

Aside from those major differences, the game is played the same way, with the same rules as normal. I’ll be talking about this format inclusive of Evolving Skies, which has a minor impact on the format.

As far as building a deck, you have to pick one type and roll with it, making that type as powerful as possible. With the current restrictions, however, there are a few far-reaching implications and rules of the format. First of all, the format is slow; cards like [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] aren’t around, so decks can’t dig as aggressively as they can in Expanded. Available draw Pokemon such as [card name=”Zebstrika” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”82″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Cinccino” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”147″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Marshadow” set=”Shining Legends” no=”45″ c=”name”][/card] can only be used in one archetype due to the monotype rule, so every deck has limited draw support at most. Additionally, the format is only single-Prize Pokemon, which is another factor that makes it slow.

Next, all of the cards that have been banned in Expanded are legal (besides Shaymin-EX). This isn’t as broken as you might think, but it means you have to watch out for cards like [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card]. Even [card name=”Lysandre’s Trump Card” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] is legal, but it isn’t actually that good — there are several strong options for recovery cards, so you don’t need to use a Supporter for that role, or at least not one that clogs up your deck so much. Of the normally banned cards, Hex Maniac is undoubtedly the strongest in this format. It’s an uncounterable Ability-lock that every deck can and does play. It’s brutally effective in this format where nearly every archetype relies on Abilities in some way.

Despite Expanded’s vast card pool, the singleton rule makes it so that you’ll often end up playing “bad” cards in your deck. For example, if you want more than one [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”name”][/card], you’ll have to go with the budget options of [card name=”Ingo and Emmet” set=”Team Up” no=”144″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Sightseer” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”189″ c=”name”][/card]. This goes for Pokemon too, especially because the dominant Rule Box Pokemon are no longer around — you probably wouldn’t expect [card name=”Cramorant” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Lapras” set=”Team Up” no=”31″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Wailord” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card] to be Water’s strongest attackers, but in this format, they can dominate!

Consistency is weird in this format, and search cards are king; [card name=”Ball Guy” set=”Shining Fates” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] and the strictly worse [card name=”Apricorn Maker” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card] allow you to search for what you need while thinning out the deck quite a bit in the process. Part of the reason why Water is so good in GLC is that it has access to [card name=”Alolan Vulpix” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”21″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Inteleon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card], which make it so that you search out exactly the card you need at the right time. I initially thought that [card name=”Maxie’s Hidden Ball Trick” set=”Primal Clash” no=”133″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Archie’s Ace in the Hole” set=”Primal Clash” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card] would be crazy overpowered in this format, but it turns out that’s not the case. Why? It’s difficult to search out the Archie and Maxie cards. [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Jirachi-EX” set=”Plasma Blast” no=”98″ c=”name”][/card] aren’t here, and [card name=”Battle Compressor” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card] are limited to one of each. Your best options are [card name=”Xtransceiver” set=”Noble Victories” no=”96″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Reserved Ticket” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”147″ c=”name”][/card], both of which are horrible cards. It’s always faster and more consistent to manually set up the Pokemon you had in mind for Archie and Maxie. Along those lines, [card name=”Archeops” set=”Noble Victories” no=”67″ c=”name”][/card] is a lot weaker than I expected, despite literally every deck relying on Evolution Pokemon. Archeops is a bit slow and every deck can play Hex to get around it. Archeops also forces you to build your deck around it, which only makes your deck worse than everyone else’s.

If your deck isn’t overpowered when it gets set up, you won’t win much. Nearly every type has the potential to be ridiculously strong once it sets up, so you want your deck to feel like it’s unfair when it’s firing on all cylinders. If not, you’ll get blown out of the water by decks that simply have a higher power level. I learned this lesson the hard way when I tried to play a [card name=”Castform” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] deck because it’s “fun” and “cool”, but it was just weak and got obliterated by everything…

Which Type is the Strongest?

I’ve been playing this format a lot recently, but it’s still relatively new to me. As such, there are some types I have experience with and some I don’t. I’ll be sharing what I’ve learned about the types that I do have experience with and glossing over the others since it’ll be mostly speculation.

Grass

[cardimg name=”Forest of Giant Plants” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”74″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

Grass is strong in this format, though it’s also high-maintenance. [card name=”Shiinotic” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”17″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Grovyle” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”21″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Zarude” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”19″ c=”name”][/card] help with rapidly searching out all the Grass-type Pokemon you need, and the combo of [card name=”Venusaur” set=”Shining Legends” no=”3″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Rillaboom” set=”Shining Fates” no=”13″ c=”name”][/card] is absolutely ridiculous. Furthermore, once you’re done with Grovyle, it evolves into [card name=”Sceptile” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card], which OHKO’s the entire format with ease and also provides relevant invincibility against Ultra Beasts. A setup with Rillaboom, Venusaur, and Sceptile in play is nigh-unbeatable.

Let’s also not forget [card name=”Forest of Giant Plants” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card], which is a legitimately broken card that Grass happily makes use of. It’s a bit difficult to find the Stadium though, which is the only thing keeping this monster of a deck in check. If you’re feeling it, you can also include [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”3″ c=”name”][/card] for a fourth Stage 2 line! Vileplume helps this deck make comebacks by slowing down opponents and clogging their hand. Grass often plays from behind because it needs to set up a lot. Here’s my current Grass list, which is one of my top picks in the format at the moment.

[decklist name=”grassgrassgrass” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Rillaboom” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”14″][pokemon amt=”15″]1x [card name=”Rillaboom” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”14″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Thwackey” set=”Shining Fates” no=”12″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Grookey” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”11″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Venusaur” set=”Shining Legends” no=”3″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Ivysaur” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”2″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x Bulbasaur (DET #1)1x [card name=”Sceptile” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”10″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Grovyle” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”21″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Treecko” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”20″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Shiinotic” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”17″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Morelull” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”16″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Shining Genesect” set=”Shining Legends” no=”9″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Zarude” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”19″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Pheromosa” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”11″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Beedrill” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”3″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”33″]1x [card name=”Gladion” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Sonia” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”167″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”62″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Brock’s Grit” set=”Team Up” no=”135″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Colress” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”118″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Erika’s Hospitality” set=”Team Up” no=”140″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Brigette” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”134″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”N” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”96″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”90″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Apricorn Maker” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”124″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tate and Liza” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Ball Guy” set=”Shining Fates” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Net Ball” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”234″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Trainers’ Mail” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Super Rod” set=”Noble Victories” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Level Ball” set=”Next Destinies” no=”89″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Revitalizer” set=”Generations” no=”70″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Timer Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”134″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Stadium Nav” set=”Unified Minds” no=”208″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Evosoda” set=”XY” no=”116″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Pokégear 3.0″ set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”182″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Random Receiver” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”138″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Evolution Incense” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”163″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tropical Beach” set=”Black and White Black Star Promos” no=”BW28″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Forest of Giant Plants” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”74″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”12″]12x [card name=”Grass Energy” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”12″][/card][/energy][/decklist]

[card name=”Shining Genesect” set=”Shining Legends” no=”9″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Zarude” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”19″ c=”name”][/card] are the main attackers. [card name=”Sceptile” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card] is a mid-to-late-game attacker, as well as a counter to Ultra Beasts. [card name=”Pheromosa” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”11″ c=”name”][/card] is a pivot and late-game finisher. [card name=”Beedrill” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”3″ c=”name”][/card] is a draw out off [card name=”Shiinotic” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”17″ c=”name”][/card], especially after a late-game [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card]. [card name=”Tropical Beach” set=”Black and White Black Star Promos” no=”BW50″ c=”name”][/card] is extremely useful, especially since you already are playing [card name=”Stadium Nav” set=”Unified Minds” no=”208″ c=”name”][/card] for [card name=”Forest of Giant Plants” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card], however, the deck is playable without Tropical Beach. This deck is weak against [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card], but it’s not the end of the world for it. [card name=”Araquanid” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”17″ c=”name”][/card] was a tech consideration to beat Fire, but it doesn’t work against Hex Maniac.

[premium]

Fire

Fire has a lot of support in this format and it’s very strong. I do not have much experience with Fire but I know it has everything it needs to succeed. Energy acceleration with [card name=”Emboar” set=”Black and White” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Welder” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”189″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Blacksmith” set=”Flashfire” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card], draw support with [card name=”Salazzle” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”31″ c=”name”][/card], and firepower with [card name=”Blacephalon” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Reshiram” set=”Shining Legends” no=”14″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Arcanine” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”22″ c=”name”][/card], and pretty much whatever else you want.

Water

[cardimg name=”Inteleon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”58″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

Water is yet another ridiculously powerful archetype in this format and it has a lot of support. [card name=”Blastoise” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”31″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Frosmoth” set=”Shining Fates” no=”30″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Alolan Vulpix” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”21″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Octillery” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Starmie” set=”Evolutions” no=”31″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Inteleon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card] (along with [card name=”Drizzile” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”56″ c=”name”][/card]) are a few of the Pokemon that make this archetype so strong. The consistency of the deck is unparalleled due to its outrageously good support Pokemon, and [card name=”Frosmoth” set=”Shining Fates” no=”30″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Blastoise” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”31″ c=”name”][/card] make use of their broken Abilities to power up your attacker of choice. Like Grass, this deck is weak to Hex Maniac, but that’s unavoidable. If Water has a flaw, it’s that it has too many good Pokemon, so much so that the Bench can get a little congested. This also makes it so that lists don’t have space for some Trainer cards you’d want.

An alternate route with Water is [card name=”Milotic” set=”Flashfire” no=”23″ c=”name”][/card] with Amazing Rare [card name=”Kyogre” set=”Shining Fates” no=”21″ c=”name”][/card]. Kyogre can wipe out entire boards with only two attacks, and [card name=”Silent Lab” set=”Primal Clash” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card] deals with the few decks that can use Bench Barrier. Although this deck takes a different route for Energy acceleration, it still includes cards like Octillery, Alolan Vulpix, and Inteleon for consistency. I have not played with this deck enough yet, but it seems like it could be in consideration for the best deck in the format. It’s a little high maintenance and usually has to use Milotic twice, but Kyogre’s attack is insane. Amazing Surge is probably the best attack in the format.

I also think [card name=”Slowbro” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card] with Walk-Off Homer could be an interesting and potentially decent option in this format. It wouldn’t make as much sense in the Kyogre spread deck though.

Lightning

Lightning is an archetype that doesn’t truly exist until Evolving Skies gifts it with Flaaffy. People are playing Lightning right now, but in my opinion, the deck needs its second Dynamotor to function. Lightning has [card name=”Eelektrik” set=”Noble Victories” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Exp. Share” set=”Next Destinies” no=”87″ c=”name”][/card], Flaaffy, and [card name=”Wishful Baton” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] to keep a steady stream of Energy in play. Its main attackers are [card name=”Raikou” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Raichu” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”67″ c=”name”][/card] plus there are several options for secondary attackers like [card name=”Thundurus” set=”Unified Minds” no=”68″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Zekrom” set=”Shining Legends” no=”35″ c=”name”][/card]. It also has access to [card name=”Zebstrika” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”82″ c=”name”][/card], which is one of the best support Pokemon in the game — If Zebstrika is prized or something, you can still use [card name=”Electrode” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card].

Some people are playing [card name=”Luxio” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”47″ c=”name”][/card] for Item lock and their choice of Luxray for heavy hitting. I’m not sure if this is worthwhile, but it’s undeniable that multiple Luxray options are strong in this format. There are also several options for Eelektross and Ampharos as attackers once you’ve decided that Dynamotor is no longer needed. Overall, Lightning is a strong archetype that has everything it needs, but to me, it feels weaker than some of the top decks in the format. It feels too fair. And once again, as is becoming a trend, it’s weak to Hex Maniac.

Fighting

Fighting is the weakest of the types I’ve tried, but it’s by no means unplayable. Fighting, unfortunately, lacks good support Pokemon, so it needs to make use of low-maintenance Basic Pokemon as its main attackers. That said, the combination of [card name=”Hitmonchan” set=”Team Up” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Hitmonlee” set=”Team Up” no=”73″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Hitmontop” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”101″ c=”name”][/card] is incredibly powerful, especially in the early game. Additionally, the deck can play [card name=”Lillie’s Poké Doll” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”197″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Robo Substitute” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Focus Sash” set=”Furious Fists” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] as options to run into with Hitmonchan. Although I was bashing [card name=”Archeops” set=”Noble Victories” no=”67″ c=”name”][/card] earlier, Fighting has to play the card because its Ability is too significant and the archetype doesn’t have any other better options. If you can get Archeops out quickly, you’ll have a huge advantage against most other decks in the format.

In addition, the Ultra Beast package of [card name=”Buzzwole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Stakataka” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”106″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Beast Ring” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card] is quite powerful in the mid-game. Fighting’s biggest issue is the lack of easy-to-use powerhouses. It doesn’t have overpowered Energy acceleration either. [card name=”Max Elixir” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card] and Beast Ring aren’t bad, but they’re no Frosmoth or Eelektrik. [card name=”Stakataka” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”106″ c=”name”][/card] is going to have to carry Fighting, and it’s completely useless against Grass.

Psychic

I haven’t played Psychic yet, but the most common strategy seems to be spread damage. [card name=”Beheeyem” set=”Noble Victories” no=”56″ c=”name”][/card] has a great niche in this format as a powerful spread attacker, and Psychic also has access to [card name=”Trevenant” set=”XY” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Tapu Lele” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM152 ” c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Dimension Valley” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card]. Another route I want to try is Ability-lock. Psychic has [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Chimecho” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”43″ c=”name”][/card], and most of the format heavily relies on Abilities. You’d also need some reasonable attackers, and I think the strategy could work, but I haven’t gotten a chance to try it out yet.

Darkness

[cardimg name=”Guzzlord” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”136″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

Darkness is an incredibly strong type with a lot of support, however, it lacks a strong support Pokemon. Lists are often including [card name=”Golbat” set=”Battle Styles” no=”90″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Crobat” set=”Battle Styles” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] as consistency boosters. They aren’t great but they’re the best Darkness has as far as support Pokemon.

Darkness gets carried by two unique cards that it has: [card name=”Guzzlord” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Galarian Weezing” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card]. Guzzlord hits for 120 damage and takes an extra Prize card on anything it KO’s… this is absolutely bonkers, and the damage can easily be modified with the likes of [card name=”Muscle Band” set=”XY” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Dark Claw” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Devoured Field” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card], and even [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card]. Guzzlord does take a bit of Energy to power up, but this can be mitigated with [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”XY” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Twin Energy” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”174″ c=”name”][/card] along with potentially [card name=”Dark Patch” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card]. In any case, Guzzlord is ridiculous — its Red Banquet attack can content with Kyogre’s Amazing Surge for best attack in the format.

[card name=”Galarian Weezing” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card] is also great in its own right. It enforces Ability lock, which is incredible in this format. Its attack is decent as well, and it can be put into play easily via [card name=”Koffing” set=”Shining Fates” no=”41″ c=”name”][/card]’s Ascension. Furthermore, Darkness has powerful and low-maintenance secondary attackers such as [card name=”Weavile” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Zoroark” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Spiritomb” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card]. Some lists also play [card name=”Galarian Obstagoon” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”37″ c=”name”][/card] as a powerhouse option, but I don’t think it’s completely necessary.

Metal, Dragon, and Fairy

I haven’t played with these archetypes yet so I can’t speak on them much. Metal obviously has [card name=”Bronzong” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”61″ c=”name”][/card] which is a great card. Dragon might be too difficult to use and it doesn’t have as many cards to work with as the other types, but I suppose [card name=”Gabite” set=”Dragons Exalted” no=”89″ c=”name”][/card] would be an obvious inclusion. Fairy has [card name=”Xerneas” set=”XY” no=”96″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Aromatisse” set=”XY” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] which are great, but like Dragon, the type as a whole doesn’t have as many cards to work with. If I had to guess, I’d say these are three of the weakest types in the format.

Colorless

Welcome to Colorless! This type constitutes the degenerate side of GLC… Colorless has access to all kinds of disruptive, stally, and control Pokemon. There’s [card name=”Stoutland” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”122″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Regigigas” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”84″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”114″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Delcatty” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Snorlax” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”101″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Munchlax” set=”Unified Minds” no=”173″ c=”name”][/card]! If stall is your kind of deck, Colorless is your best bet. This archetype has middling popularity and success in this format, however, it’s impossible for it to pack answers to everything in the format. As an example, the [card name=”Rillaboom” set=”Shining Fates” no=”13″ c=”name”][/card] plus [card name=”Venusaur” set=”Shining Legends” no=”3″ c=”name”][/card] combo is almost unbeatable for stall. That said, stall is still pretty good and is able to beat many of the other decks. I’ve seen a list with Stoutland, which I’m sure works fine, but I haven’t gotten around to trying it yet. Instead, I’ll share my current list for Wall Stall, which I’ve come up with on my own — the list may not be perfect yet, but I do like where it’s at.

[decklist name=”walls” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Regigigas” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”84″][pokemon amt=”7″]1x [card name=”Regigigas” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”84″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Snorlax” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”131″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Lugia” set=”Fates Collide” no=”78″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”114″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Munchlax” set=”Unified Minds” no=”173″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Blissey” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Chansey” set=”Hidden Fates” no=”46″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”50″]1x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Opal” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”158″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Klara” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”145″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Lusamine” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”96″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Cassius” set=”XY” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Team Skull Grunt” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”133″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Lt. Surge’s Strategy” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”178″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Cynthia and Caitlin” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”189″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Guzma and Hala” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”193″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mallow and Lana” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”198″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Plumeria” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”120″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Winona” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”96″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Team Rocket’s Handiwork” set=”Fates Collide” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Gladion” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”N” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”96″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Peonia” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”149″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”AZ” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Team Flare Grunt” set=”XY” no=”129″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Steven’s Resolve” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”145″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Skyla” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Bill’s Analysis” set=”Team Up” no=”133″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tag Call” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”206″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Heavy Ball” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”140″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Super Potion” set=”XY” no=”128″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Robo Substitute” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Lillie’s Poké Doll” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”197″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Max Potion” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”128″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Yell Horn” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”173″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Pal Pad” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”172″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Target Whistle” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”106″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Revive” set=”Black and White” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Rescue Scarf” set=”Dragons Exalted” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Cape of Toughness” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”160″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Ancient Crystal” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”118″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Buff Padding” set=”Team Up” no=”136″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Fighting Fury Belt” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Big Charm” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”158″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tropical Beach” set=”Black and White Black Star Promos” no=”BW28″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Circhester Bath” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”150″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”3″]1x [card name=”Capture Energy” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”171″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Weakness Guard Energy” set=”Unified Minds” no=”213″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Recycle Energy” set=”Unified Minds” no=”212″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist][card name=”Regigigas” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”84″ c=”name”][/card] with [card name=”Ancient Crystal” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”118″ c=”name”][/card] is the go-to wall for this deck; it has a ton of HP, and damage done to it is reduced thanks to Ancient Crystal and [card name=”Circhester Bath” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”150″ c=”name”][/card]. With all of that and the numerous healing cards this deck plays, it’s incredibly difficult to bring down Regigigas. Furthermore, in order to win, the opponent will have to bring down Regigigas multiple times. Worth noting is that this list loses to other stall/control decks, but if you wished to fix that, you could add a control-hate package of [card name=”Faba” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”173″ c=”name”][/card] and basic Energy. If you want to beat [card name=”Stoutland” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”122″ c=”name”][/card], you’d also have to include [card name=”Escape Rope” set=”Battle Styles” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Repel” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card].

[cardimg name=”Snorlax” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”101″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

It’s a tough choice between the [card name=”Snorlax” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”131″ c=”name”][/card] from Vivid Voltage for Gormandize, or Plasma Storm [card name=”Snorlax” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”101″ c=”name”][/card] for Block. I prioritize the draw power of Gormandize in this list, as Block is mostly useful against Pokemon that can’t attack. In this monotype format, however, every Pokemon in your opponent’s deck will likely be able to attack, even support Pokemon.

[card name=”Lugia” set=”Fates Collide” no=”78″ c=”name”][/card] is great against Fighting because of its Resistance to it, unlike the rest of the deck which has Weakness to it. Lugia has decent HP and the Pressure Ability, which makes it a decent wall. We also have [card name=”Weakness Guard Energy” set=”Unified Minds” no=”213″ c=”name”][/card] as further insurance against Fighting, but this is an easy cut for any of the cards in the control-hate package if you so wish.

[card name=”Oranguru” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”114″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Munchlax” set=”Unified Minds” no=”173″ c=”name”][/card] allow this deck to easily infinite resources, though Munchlax provides an easy snipe target, so a [card name=”Rescue Scarf” set=”Dragons Exalted” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] is included specifically to equip to it. Munchlax will, most likely, perish a few times while on the Bench, but spamming Snack Search is an important part of this deck’s strategy in many matchups.

[card name=”Blissey” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card] is the secondary wall. It also has lots of HP and an Ability that heals your Active upon evolving. Unfortunately, Circhester Bath does not work with Blissey, so [card name=”Aspertia City Gym” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”127″ c=”name”][/card] is a consideration for an additional Stadium.

The Trainer cards in this deck aim to slowly run your opponent out of resources, be it with gust-stalling, Energy removal, or usually a combination of the two. The healing cards create value assuming your opponents need to attack multiple times into your walls, however, they are less valuable in matchups where opponents can easily dish out 2HKO’s against even a tanked-out Regigigas. Healing gives you more time to use disruptive Trainers.

Conclusion

This format is still new and wide-open. There’s lots of room for continued innovation and expansion. I’ve had a lot of fun playing this format so far, and it seems to be a great addition to the Pokemon TCG. I definitely recommend giving deck building a shot and looking for online events in this format. If this format continues to be popular and supported, I will definitely be writing about it again. That said, my next article will likely be focused around the Standard format with Evolving Skies coming out soon.

I hope you enjoyed reading about this format as much as I enjoyed sharing what I’ve learned about it so far! Although some types seem to be stronger than others, the card pool is vast enough so that every type has something going for it and should have a chance at a decent deck. I would be interested in a variation of this format but without the monotype rule!

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