GLC Update 1.4
Pokémon Research Lab is banned
Effective Wednesday, November 1, 2023, Pokémon Research Lab UNM 205/236 will no longer be legal for play in Gym Leader Challenge format. Pokémon Research Lab consistently accelerates Pokémon that evolve from Unidentified Fossil into play as early as the first turn of the game while going first, which can grant an unfair advantage to Fossil based decks. Besides putting evolution Pokémon into play instantly, the Stadium also circumvents the singleton rule of GLC by placing two Pokémon that both evolve from the same Pokémon into play at the same time.
The most problematic combination with Pokémon Research Lab is with Colorless Pokémon. Both Aerodactyl TEU and Archeops SIT evolve from Unidentified Fossil, and Pokémon Research Lab allows Aerodactyl and Archen to be placed into play at the same time, on the first turn of the game while going first. With just a single Stadium card, Colorless decks are able to reach a board state capable of dominating the game on the second turn of the game. While other decks need to go through the process of finding Basic Pokémon then waiting to evolve them, Pokémon Research Lab based decks, like Colorless, skip that phase of setup, allowing them to consistently out-pace other set up based decks.
Why Not Ban Archeops?
Archeops from Silver Tempest is an extremely powerful card, boasting one of Gym Leader Challenge’s strongest Abiliites: Primal Turbo. With access to over 10 years of Special Energy and modern Basic Attackers like Snorlax SIT and Lugia CEL to accelerate to, Archeops is the backbone of a very strong deck. But there are other Abilities in the Pokémon TCG that rival that of Primal Turbo, and without a way to be cheated into play, Archeops is on a much more even playing field with them.
Without Pokémon Research Lab, Archeops needs to evolve through Unidentified Fossil, a singleton card that cannot be fished out of the Prize Cards with Hisuian Heavy Ball or sought out of the deck with other Ball search cards. Archeops is much more balanced without access to Pokémon Research Lab, but will continue to be monitored for fair play after the Pokémon Research Lab ban goes into effect.
As was the case with Forest of Giant Plants before it, Pokémon Research Lab breaks the rules of evolution in a way that is too advantageous for a single archetype, which is why the card being banned.
What About TM: Evolution?
With that logic, wouldn’t the Tool card from Paradox Rift, TM: Evolution, also be problematic? TM: Evolution is certainly an exciting new card that will change the landscape and pace of GLC. However, it is a card that all decks have access too, which makes it inherently balanced. Whether or not TM: Evolution belongs in Gym Leader Challenge is a different conversation, and something that will be continue to be monitored as the format progresses.
Thank you so much for playing Gym Leader Challenge! Please spread the word about the updated ban and when it goes into effect. Gym Leader Challenge is constantly being monitored to ensure that it is as fun and accessible as possible! As we take this new step forward in the format, we will continue to monitor problematic cards and make changes as needed. If you would like to discuss the future of the format, make sure to join the Tricky Gym Discord, Discord.gg/trickygym, the home of Gym Leader Challenge format!
