What are Pokémon GX cards

Powerful Pokémon cards introduced in the Sun & Moon era, representing special, stronger versions of Pokémon with unique GX attacks.
Distinctive dark silver border and GX suffix in the Pokémon's name, often featuring dynamic full-art style artwork.
Provide 2 Prize Cards when knocked out, balancing their increased strength and special GX attack which can only be used once a game.
Can be Basic, Stage 1, or Stage 2 Pokémon, offering versatility in deck-building strategies.

Origins and Inspiration

Pokémon-GX cards were introduced right at the beginning of the Sun & Moon series in the Sun & Moon base set, launched in February 2017. These cards showcase special, powered up forms for Pokémon, inspired by the game mechanic of Z-Moves from Pokémon Sun & Moon. Pokémon-GX cards are often identified by their distinctive borders, a GX extension to the Pokémon's name, and at most times, full-art gorgeous illustrations.

Gameplay Mechanics

A Pokémon-GX card can either be a Basic, Stage 1, or Stage 2 Pokémon which defines how they are played and also evolved in the game. These cards are characterized by increased HP than that of regular Pokémon and more powerful attacks. The balance of this comes in the form of providing 2 Prize Cards when knocked out. One of the unique features of GX cards, however, is their special GX attack: some extremely powerful move which can only be used once per game per player.

Variants and Competitive Impact

Many Pokémon-GX cards will also come in a variety of forms, including regular, Full Art, Rainbow Rare or Hyper Rare, and sometimes even Special Art, drawing collectors in. These cards would form a base for deck-building during the Pokémon TCG's Sun & Moon era and often act as many main attackers or key support Pokémon in strategies. Taking an appearance in all mainstream expansions of the Sun & Moon era, they have also been found in special sets and promotions.

Evolution and Legacy

Introducing Pokémon-GX also introduced Tapu Lele-GX, one of this game's most powerful support Pokémon, whose effects defined the metagame for its whole legal period. New mechanics introduced by these sets, such as Ultra Beasts-GX from GX cards, had special rules and interactions that added depth to the gameplay. In Sun & Moon, a bit later, the mechanic would progress with Tag Team GX to give two or even three Pokémon on one GX card. While current Pokémon-GX cards can no longer be produced in new sets, they have a place in the history of the Pokémon TCG, and they remain legal within the Expanded format of competitive play.

What are Pokémon GX cards

Origins and Inspiration

Gameplay Mechanics

Variants and Competitive Impact

Evolution and Legacy

Snorlax, Lycanroc, Solgaleo, Lunala, Tapu Bulu, Tapu Koko, Bewear, Decidueye and Incineroar from the Sun & Moon Promos:

Decidueye, Lurantis, Incineroar, Lapras, Primarina, Espeon, Lunala, Umbreon and Solgaleo from the set Sun & Moon:

Turtonator, Alolan Ninetales, Wishiwashi, Vikavolt, Tapu Koko, Toxapex, Tapu Lele, Lycanroc and Metagross from the set Guardians Rising:

Golisopod, Charizard, Ho Oh, Salazzle, Tapu Fini, Necrozma, Machamp, Marshadow and Alolan Muk from the set Burning Shadows:

Entei, Raichu, Mewtwo, Zoroark, Entei, Mewtwo, Entei, Raichu and Mewtwo from the set Shining Legends:

Gyarados, Alolan Golem, Nihilego, Buzzwole, Guzzlord, Kartana, Alolan Exeggutor, Silvally and Gyarados from the set Crimson Invasion:

Leafeon, Glaceon, Dawn Wings Necrozma, Dusk Mane Necrozma, Dialga, Palkia, Silvally, Leafeon and Pheromosa from the set Ultra Prism:

Palkia, Greninja, Naganadel, Zygarde, Yveltal, Dialga, Xerneas, Ultra Necrozma and Palkia from the set Forbidden Light:

Shiftry, Blaziken, Articuno, Electrode, Mr. Mime, Banette, Palossand, Alolan Raticate and Scizor from the set Celestial Storm:

Reshiram, Kingdra, Dragonite, Altaria, Salamence, White Kyurem, Reshiram, Kingdra and Dragonite from the set Dragon Majesty:

Shuckle, Sceptile, Virizion, Magcargo, Blacephalon, Suicune, Zeraora, Sigilyph and Tyranitar from the set Lost Thunder:

Celebi & Venusaur, Pikachu & Zekrom, Ampharos, Gengar & Mimikyu, Mr. Mime, Lycanroc, Hoopa, Incineroar and Cobalion from the set Team Up:

Pheromosa & Buzzwole, Venomoth, Reshiram & Charizard, Blastoise, Dedenne, Muk & Alolan Muk, Marshadow & Machamp, Greninja & Zoroark and Honchkrow from the set Unbroken Bonds:

Rowlet & Alolan Exeggutor, Heatran, Slowpoke & Psyduck, Keldeo, Raichu & Alolan Raichu, Mewtwo & Mew, Espeon & Deoxys, Latios and Jirachi from the set Unified Minds:

Pinsir, Charizard, Starmie, Gyarados, Raichu, Mewtwo, Onix, Wigglytuff and Moltres & Zapdos & Articuno from the set Hidden Fates:

Venusaur & Snivy, Vileplume, Charizard & Braixen, Volcarona, Blastoise & Piplup, Wishiwashi, Solgaleo & Lunala, Oricorio and Flygon from the set Cosmic Eclipse:

Tapu Lele from the set Celebrations: