Gym Leader Challenge format (TCG)
- GLC redirects here. For the location in the Pokémon Stadium series, see Gym Leader Castle.
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 Leaders 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.[1] Inspired by the prominence of Pokémon with a 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).[1]
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,[2] and has been featured as a side event in tournaments such as the 2022 World Championships and the 2023 Europe International Championships.[3][4] Some TCG-related posts on Pokémon.com promote cards that can work well in GLC.[5][6][7]
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.[8]
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:[9]
- 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, Galvantula (Steam Siege 42) is a dual-type Lightning/Grass Pokémon, so it is allowed in either a Lightning-type or Grass-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.[10]
- 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.[10]
- 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.[10]
- A deck may not contain any of these cards:[10]
- Cards with a Rule Box. These include 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.
- Cards present on the ban list, separate from the Expanded format ban list, which includes the following cards:[11]
- Until November 16, 2021, Pokémon with Ancient Traits were not allowed. When those Pokémon were allowed, the first bans took place: Oranguru and Lysandre's Trump Card.[12]
- 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
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "The OFFICIAL introduction to Gym Leader Challenge: a custom Pokémon TCG format." Tricky Gym. YouTube.
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Letter to the Community - March 20, 2025 — Pokémon Forums
- ↑ Rules — Gym Leader Challenge
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 FAQ and Rulings — Gym Leader Challenge
- ↑ Ban List — Gym Leader Challenge
- ↑ GLC Update 1.0 — Gym Leader Challenge
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)
See also
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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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