View source for Gym Leader Challenge format (TCG)

:''GLC redirects here. For the location in the [[Pokémon Stadium series]], see [[Gym Leader Castle]].
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[[File:Gym Leader Challenge format logo.png|thumb|250px|Gym Leader Challenge logo]]
The '''Gym Leader Challenge''' format of the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]], sometimes abbreviated as "GLC", is a recognized alternative format for playing the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The format name is a reference to how [[Gym Leader]]s in the [[Pokémon games]] often specialize in just one Pokémon [[type]].

The format was originally created by Pokémon TCG player and online content creator [[Andrew Mahone]] on July 14, 2021.<ref name=YouTube>"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_tKfsXFm6k The OFFICIAL introduction to Gym Leader Challenge: a custom Pokémon TCG format]." [https://www.youtube.com/@TrickyGym Tricky Gym]. ''YouTube''.</ref> Inspired by the prominence of Pokémon with a {{TCG|Rule Box}}, which tend to have higher HP and powerful attacks, Mahone created the format to specifically exclude them. Mahone also envisioned the format as a "singleton" format, i.e. a deck can only have one copy of any card (except for Basic Energy cards).<ref name=YouTube/>

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,<ref>[https://www.pokemon.com/static-assets/content-assets/cms2/pdf/trading-card-game/tcg-alternative-play-handbook-en.pdf Pokémon TCG Alternative Play Handbook]</ref> and has been featured as a side event in tournaments such as the [[2022 World Championships]] and the 2023 Europe International Championships.<ref>"[https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2022/side-events Pokémon World Championships Side Events]." Pokemon.com</ref><ref>"[https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/internationals/2023/europe/side-events Pokémon Europe International Championships Side Events]." Pokemon.com</ref> Some TCG-related posts on [[Pokémon.com]] promote cards that can work well in GLC.<ref>[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/kyurem-vmax-hisuian-arcanine-and-more-in-pokemon-tcg-sword-shield-lost-origin Kyurem VMAX, Hisuian Arcanine, and more in Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Lost Origin]</ref><ref>[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/a-first-look-at-tinkatuff-chi-yu-ex-and-more-in-pokemon-tcg-scarlet-violet-paldea-evolved A first look at Tinkatuff, Chi-Yu ex, and More in Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Paldea Evolved]</ref><ref>[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/shine-bright-with-mimikyu-gardevoir-ex-charizard-ex-and-more-in-scarlet-violet-paldean-fates Shine Bright with Mimikyu, Gardevoir ex, Charizard ex, and more in Scarlet & Violet—Paldean Fates]</ref>

Beginning on April 24, 2025, the Gym Leader Challenge is included in [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Live]] as one of the available rotating formats for Trainer Trials mode during two weeks, reappearing every 9 weeks.<ref>[https://community.pokemon.com/en-us/discussion/17429/letter-to-the-community-march-20-2025#latest Letter to the Community - March 20, 2025 — Pokémon Forums]</ref>

==Rules==
The Gym Leader Challenge format is mainly derived from the {{TCG|Expanded format}} (i.e., cards from the {{TCG|Black & White}} expansion onward are legal), with the following rules:<ref>[https://gymleaderchallenge.com/rules Rules — Gym Leader Challenge]</ref>
* A deck can contain only one {{TCG|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, [[Galvantula (Steam Siege 42)]] is a {{2ct|Lightning|Grass}} Pokémon, so it is allowed in either a {{ct|Lightning}} or {{ct|Grass}} deck; however, [[Gallade (Cosmic Eclipse 82)]] is innately a {{ct|Psychic}} Pokémon (even though the "Double Type" Ability makes it both a {{ct|Psychic}} and {{ct|Fighting}} while in play), so it can only be played in a Psychic-type deck.<ref name=FAQ>[https://gymleaderchallenge.com/faq FAQ and Rulings — Gym Leader Challenge]</ref>
* Only one copy of each card with the same name can be put in a deck, except for {{TCG|Basic Energy card}}s, which a deck can have multiple copies of. Any type of Basic Energy cards are allowed regardless of the Pokémon's type.<ref name=FAQ/>
** Note that the official Pokémon TCG ruling that a deck can only have either {{TCG ID|Rebel Clash|Boss's Orders|154}} or {{TCG ID|Flashfire|Lysandre|90}} (not both) remains in place. This also applies to {{TCG ID|Black & White|Professor Juniper|101}}, {{TCG ID|XY|Professor Sycamore|122}}, and {{TCG ID|Sword & Shield|Professor's Research|178}}, 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. {{TCG ID|Sword & Shield|Hop|165}} and {{TCG ID|Sun & Moon|Hau|120}}.<ref name=FAQ/>
* A deck may not contain any of these cards:<ref name=FAQ/>
** Cards with a {{TCG|Rule Box}}. These include {{TCG|Pokémon-EX}}, {{TCG|Pokémon-GX}}, {{TCG|Prism Star}} cards (including Prism Star Trainer and Energy cards), {{TCG|Pokémon V}}, {{TCG|Radiant Pokémon}}, {{TCG|Pokémon ex}}, etc.
** {{TCG|ACE SPEC card}}s.
** [[:Category:Unplayable cards|Cards that cannot be used in official tournaments]].
** Cards present on the ban list, separate from the Expanded format ban list, which includes the following cards:<ref>[https://gymleaderchallenge.com/ban-list Ban List — Gym Leader Challenge]</ref>

{{card list/header|Cards banned from the Gym Leader Challenge format|Rainbow|nocat=yes}}
{{card list/card|cardname={{TCG ID|Base Set|Double Colorless Energy|96}}|type=Energy|energy=Colorless|newmark=A|rows=1}}
{{card list/release|type=Colorless|enset=Base Set|enrarity=Uncommon|ennum=96/102|jpset=Expansion Pack|jpsymbol=None|jprarity=Uncommon}}
<!--not banned in Expanded-->

{{card list/card|cardname={{TCG ID|Phantom Forces|Dimension Valley|93}}|type=Stadium|rows=1}}
{{card list/release|type=Stadium|enset=Phantom Forces|enrarity=Uncommon|ennum=93/119|jpset=Phantom Gate|jprarity=U|jpnum=087/088}}
<!--not banned in Expanded-->

{{card list/card|cardname={{TCG ID|Phantom Forces|Lysandre's Trump Card|99}}|type=Supporter|color=FFF|rows=1}}
{{card list/release|type=Supporter|enset=Phantom Forces|enrarity=Uncommon|ennum=99/119|jpset=Phantom Gate|jprarity=U|jpnum=086/088}}

{{card list/card|cardname={{TCG ID|Ancient Origins|Forest of Giant Plants|74}}|type=Stadium|color=FFF|rows=1}}
{{card list/release|type=Stadium|enset=Ancient Origins|enrarity=Uncommon|ennum=74/98|jpset=Bandit Ring|jprarity=U|jpnum=079/081}}

{{card list/card|cardname={{TCG ID|Shining Legends|Marshadow|45}}|type=Psychic|newmark=A|color=FFF|rows=1}}
{{card list/release|type=Psychic|enset=Shining Legends|enrarity=Rare Holo|ennum=45/73|jpset=Shining Legends|jpsymbol=SetSymbolShiningLegends|jprarity=R|jpnum=046/072}}

{{card list/card|cardname={{TCG ID|Celestial Storm|Hiker|133}}|type=Supporter|newmark=A|rows=1}}
{{card list/release|type=Supporter|enset=Celestial Storm|enrarity=Uncommon|ennum=133/168|jpset=SM-P Promotional cards|jpsymbol=SetSymbol SMPromo|jpnum=107/SM-P}}
<!--not banned in Expanded-->

{{card list/card|cardname={{TCG ID|Ultra Prism|Oranguru|114}}|type=Colorless|newmark=B|color=FFF|rows=1}}
{{card list/release|type=Colorless|enset=Ultra Prism|enrarity=Uncommon|ennum=114/156|jpset=Ultra Sun|jprarity=C|jpnum=052/066}}

{{card list/card|cardname={{TCG ID|Unbroken Bonds|Chip-Chip Ice Axe|165}}|type=Item|newmark=C|color=FFF|rows=1}}
{{card list/release|type=Item|enset=Unbroken Bonds|enrarity=Uncommon|ennum=165/214|jpset=Double Blaze|jprarity=U|jpnum=080/095}}

{{card list/card|cardname={{TCG ID|Unified Minds|Pokémon Research Lab|205}}|type=Stadium|newmark=C|rows=1}}
{{card list/release|type=Stadium|enset=Unified Minds|enrarity=Uncommon|ennum=205/236|jpset=Miracle Twin|jprarity=U|jpnum=089/094}}
<!--not banned in Expanded-->

{{card list/card|cardname={{TCG ID|Cosmic Eclipse|Duskull|83}}|type=Psychic|newmark=C|color=FFF|rows=1}}
{{card list/release|type=Psychic|enset=Cosmic Eclipse|enrarity=Common|ennum=83/236|jpset=Remix Bout|jprarity=C|jpnum=023/064}}

{{card list/card|cardname={{TCG ID|Rebel Clash|Twin Energy|174}}|type=Energy|energy=Colorless|newmark=D|rows=1}}
{{card list/release|type=Colorless|enset=Rebel Clash|enrarity=Uncommon|ennum=174/192|jpset=VMAX Rising|jprarity=U|jpnum=070/070}}
<!--not banned in Expanded-->

{{card list/card|cardname={{TCG ID|Vivid Voltage|Raikou|50}}|type=Lightning|newmark=D|rows=1}}
{{card list/release|type=Lightning|enset=Vivid Voltage|enrarity=A|ennum=050/185|jpset=Legendary Heartbeat|jprarity=A|jpnum=015/076}}
<!--not banned in Expanded-->

{{card list/card|cardname={{TCG ID|Shining Fates|Kyogre|21}}|type=Water|newmark=D|rows=1}}
{{card list/release|type=Water|enset=Shining Fates|enrarity=A|ennum=021/072|jpset=Shiny Star V|jprarity=A|jpnum=036/190}}
<!--not banned in Expanded-->
|}
* Until November 16, 2021, Pokémon with {{TCG|Ancient Trait}}s were not allowed. When those Pokémon were allowed, the first bans took place: {{TCG ID|Ultra Prism|Oranguru|114}} and {{TCG ID|Phantom Forces|Lysandre's Trump Card|99}}.<ref>[https://gymleaderchallenge.com/blog/glc-update-1-0 GLC Update 1.0 — Gym Leader Challenge]</ref>
* While Pokémon TCG Live follows the same community ban list, the GLC rules in the Alternative Play Handbook only prevent the play of Pokémon with Rule Boxes, leaving Prism Star Trainers and Energy allowed.

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
* [https://gymleaderchallenge.com/ Official website]
** [https://gymleaderchallenge.com/guide Getting started guide]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_tKfsXFm6k Official introductory video]
* [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsvuvINH-HTBeoG6pC_nO4pQHokhXY5KQ Gym Leader Challenge playlist on the Tricky Gym YouTube channel]
* [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLr_LAOrEVAtyGValDwQq10uJ5ffgpvgyn Gym Leader Challenge playlist on the OmniPoke YouTube channel] (includes video guides)
==See also==
{{TCG formats}}
{{DoubleProjectTag|TCG|Fandom}}

[[Category:Pokémon TCG formats]]
[[Category:Fandom]]