Gym Leader Challenge is coming to Pokémon Trading Card Live!
The next Trainer Trials rotation is just around the corner, and with it comes the addition of the Gym Leader Challenge format to Pokémon TCG Live! Ahead of its first-ever appearance within the Pokémon TCG Live game client on May 8th, 2025, let's dive further into Gym Leader Challenge and how it works (for those just learning about the format!), as well as touch on some additional changes and updates to the format’s banned cards.
Getting to know Gym Leader Challenge
Gym Leader Challenge is a fan-made Pokémon TCG format created by Pokémon TCG competitor and “Pokémon: Trainer Tour” host Andrew Mahone— A big thank you to Andrew for his work in creating the popular the Gym Leader Challenge format!
If you’ve ever imagined what it would be like to put together a type-specific team like the Gym Leaders in the Pokémon video games, Gym Leader Challenge is a perfect way to live out that dream while also enjoying the Pokémon TCG!
There are many common and powerful ways to play any given type, but you can always do something different in Gym Leader Challenge. If you really want to include that favorite Pokémon–something that is sometimes impossible due to legality in the common Standard format–Gym Leader Challenge’s use of the Expanded format allows you the opportunity to use and make it shine! Thanks to a combination of simple rules and select banned cards, the Gym Leader Challenge format is perfect for experimenting with a wide variety of decks that can create almost limitless game states and interactions as you play against other Trainers.
Note: While Pokémon TCG Live does support the full Gym Leader Challenge ruleset in spirit, the game only supports cards that are currently available for play. As a result, while cards from the Black & White and X & Y eras are playable in the general format, the Gym Leader Challenge Trainer Trials in Pokémon TCG Live will only support cards from the Sun & Moon series and beyond.
Gym Leader Challenge is also popular at official Pokémon Championship Series Events, so those in attendance at these events can find at least one or two larger Gym Leader Challenge side events during an event weekend to participate in!
To read a full in-depth breakdown of Gym Leader Challenge and get some ideas as to what a Gym Leader Challenge deck looks like, check out the Side Event Breakdown: Gym Leader Challenge article on Pokemon.com.
Changes to Gym Leader Challenge’s Trial Rules
As announced in the recent GLC Update 1.6 through the fan-operated Gym Leader Challenge website, Double Colorless Energy and Twin Energy will be banned from the Gym Leader Challenge format effective April 24th, 2025.
To ensure our Trial Rules are consistent with the latest ruleset, both Double Colorless Energy and Twin Energy are also being added to the banned cards list within the Pokémon TCG Live game client, ahead of the challenge becoming available on May 8th, 2025.
Here is an updated rundown of the Gym Leader Challenge’s Trial Rules to reflect the above changes:
Note: This schedule has been adjusted in line with our announced Content Schedule Changes.
- Week 7-8: Gym Leader Challenge
- Period: 05-08 17:00:00 UTC - 05-22 17:00:00 UTC
- Card Pool: Only cards from the Black & White series onwards
- Currently on Pokémon TCG Live, that functionally means the Sun & Moon series onwards
- Trial Rules:
- Only one copy of each card is allowed, except for basic Energy
- Every Pokémon must share a single Energy type
- Cards with a Rule Box are not allowed
- ACE SPEC cards are not allowed
- The following cards are banned:
- Oranguru UPR 114
- Chip-Chip Ice Axe UNB 165
- Hiker CES 133
- Kyogre SHF 021
- Pokémon Research Lab UNM 205
- Raikou VIV 050
- Marshadow SLG 045
- Duskull CEC 083
- Twin Energy RCL 174
- Double Colorless Energy SUM 131
To see the complete list of upcoming Trainer Trials formats, check out our previous Letter to the Community.
While the Gym Leader Challenge is a temporary mode making its appearance as one of Trainer Trials’ many rotating formats, the Gym Leader Challenge is planned to return periodically in the future so that Trainers have a variety of opportunities to try out this refreshing side format. We’re excited to see how Trainers enjoy and participate in Gym Leader Challenge and the other upcoming Trainer Trials challenges!
As always, you can help us grow and evolve Pokémon TCG Live by continuing to share your thoughts and feedback here on the official Pokémon Forums!