As one of the defining features of the Sun and Moon era, GX cards in Pokemon TCG remain so popular among players and collectors alike.
Many are still wondering what they are, despite the recent announcement that future sets won’t belong to the Scarlet and Violet series anymore.
Whether you’ve come across a GX card lately or you just bought a deck containing some GX cards, this article will provide anything you need to know about them in the game – from their history to using them in-game according to the official Pokemon TCG rules.
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The Rise of GX Cards in Pokemon TCG
GX cards, or more commonly known as Pokemon-GX, are a type of Pokemon card that made their debut during the release of the Sun and Moon sets (from the base set to Cosmic Eclipse).
Like other Pokemon cards with rule boxes, Pokemon-GX are not your typical mons with mid-tier moves and abilities. They usually boast higher HPs, damage, and game-breaking effects.
There are two types of Pokemon-GX: the regular Pokemon-GX that depicts a single Pokemon, and Tag Team Pokemon-GX, which showcases a pair of Pokemon. Apart from their obvious difference, these GX cards also have their own rule boxes.
Regular Pokemon-GX cards have a rule box that’s basically the same as those of Pokemon ex, Pokemon V, and Pokemon VSTAR. A player that Knocks Out a Pokemon-GX will get two Prize Cards instead of one.
On the other hand, Tag Team Pokemon-GX, with their slightly more broken moves and abilities, are much riskier to play in games. That’s because instead of just two Prize Cards, a player that defeats a Tag Team Pokemon-GX will get three Prize Cards, which means it only takes Knocking Out two Tag Team Pokemon-GX to win a game.
Ultra Beasts were also printed as Pokemon-GX in the Sun & Moon sets, but their card designs differ slightly. They feature a red GX logo instead of blue and include an ‘Ultra Beast’ label.
Also Read: What Are Prize Cards in Pokemon TCG?
GX Moves
Another thing that makes GX cards in Pokemon TCG unique is their GX moves. Each Pokemon-GX has a special GX move that can only be used once in a game. The effects of these GX moves are powerful enough to shift the momentum of a game.
For example, Tapu Lele GX’s GX move, Tapu Cure, can heal all the damage from two Benched Pokemon, which can be crucial during close games.
Charizard and Braixen GX’s Crimson Flame Pillar GX can fetch five Energy cards from the deck and inflict two special conditions to an opponent’s Active Pokemon.
GX moves are inspired by the Z-moves used by several Pokemon in the anime and video games.
Tips for playing GX cards in Pokemon TCG
If you want to add GX cards to your deck, keep in mind that you won’t be able to play them anymore in the current Standard rotation. These cards went out of the Standard format years ago, so you can only play them in Expanded, Legacy, and Unlimited formats.
You can treat GX cards as Pokemon ex in a way that they often play a vital role in your deck’s overall strategy.
When selecting a GX Pokemon to reinforce your deck, make sure that its GX move synergizes well with the other cards in your deck, and its effect will at least give you a significant advantage over your opponent.
It’s not advisable to add more than one type of Tag Team Pokemon-GX to a deck. Remember, losing a Tag Team Pokemon-GX means that your opponent will take 3 Prize Cards, and if you’re in the middle of the game, losing such Pokemon will mean defeat on your end.
Some of the most powerful Pokemon-GX ever introduced in the card game are the following:
- Reshiram & Charizard GX: Has an array of good moves, plus a GX move that can deal as much as 300.
- Dedenne GX: An extremely powerful utility card with an ability that is much more useful than its GX move.
- Gardevoir GX: A Fairy-type card that once won a World Championship tournament.
- Gengar & Mimikyu GX: Triggering its GX move at the right time can spoil an opponent from making a crucial move in a turn.
- Silvally GX: A strong counter against Ultra Beast decks and can act as a quick damage dealer and utility at the same time.
- Naganadel & Guzzlord GX: It can heal itself and reveal all of your Prize Cards for the rest of the game.
We hope you now have all the knowledge that you can use and share with your friends about GX cards in Pokemon TCG. For more guides, tips, and deck builds, feel free to read more of our content here at PokeCardHQ.
