One of the things that makes Gym Leader Challenge so fun is that each type has its own unique qualities that you can formulate a strategy around. You really get into the characteristics of each type, which makes deck building and gameplay fun and rewarding. Gym Leader Challenge isn’t just about winning the most games, its about trying to win using your favorite type of Pokémon, and that openness is something that you simply cannot get in other formats right now. Metal type Pokémon are known for their defenses, and let me tell you, they do not disappoint in Gym Leader Challenge. What’s your opponent gonna do when they encounter a 190 HP Copperajah with a Metal Frying Pan swinging for 220 damage? Cry. Whether you’ve been working on growing a beard since 2006 like Byron or fancy yourself as the Steel Clad Defense Girl, Jasmine, you’re in the right place!
Support Pokémon
Playing into Metal’s bulky strategy, Aegislash makes your big dudes even bigger with its Big Shield Ability, decreasing damage done to your Pokémon by 30. With Big Shield and a damage reduction Tool like Metal Goggles or Metal Frying Pan, your Pokémon will be taking -60 damage from the opponent’s attacks! If Aegislash‘s buff isn’t crazy enough, Galarian Perrserker‘s Steely Spirit also boosts all your Pokémon’s attacks by 20. Buffs aren’t much if you can’t power up attackers, though. Fortunately, you can accelerate Energy from the discard pile with Bronzong‘s Metal Links and from the hand with Magnezone‘s Magnetic Circuit allowing you to charge the board with Energy and launch huge attacks with ease!
Attackers
Dialga from Celebrations was a total Godsend for Metal decks. Not only is it a great lead with its Temporal Backflow attack, which allows you to recover any card from your discard pile, it also has an infinite damage ceiling with its Metal Blast attack, which does more damage for each Metal Energy attached to it! Now let’s talk about the elephant in the room, Copperajah. This thing is a total beast and great for checkmating at the end of the game. A well timed Copperajah (SSH) with Metal Core Barrier can allow you to fire off multiple Muscular Nose attacks, absolutely decimating anything in your path! Magearna and Cobalion are both solid low maintenance attackers while Melmetal and Orthworm are bigger, Energy hungry options.
Decklists
Arch Nemesis
Source: Andrew Mahone
FGG 2026 Season Metal Badge - 03/2026
-
Pokémon: 13
1 Duraludon RCL 138
1 Archaludon PFL 75
1 Beldum SIT 117
1 Metang TEF 114
1 Bronzor OBF 144
1 Bronzong PHF 61
1 Varoom SFA 43
1 Revavroom PAF 65
1 Zamazenta CRZ 97
1 Dialga MEG 95
1 Iron Crown SSP 132
1 Cobalion STS 74
1 Jirachi TEU 99
Trainer: 36
1 Lillie's Determination ASC 192
1 Iono PAF 80
1 Marnie CPA 56
1 Arven OBF 186
1 Cynthia & Caitlin CEC 189
1 Lusamine CIN 96
1 Boss's Orders MEG 114
1 Guzma BUS 115
1 Professor's Research JTG 155
1 Bird Keeper DAA 159
1 Mallow & Lana CEC 198
1 Hex Maniac AOR 75
1 Teammates PRC 141
1 Raihan CRZ 140
1 Buddy-Buddy Poffin ASC 184
1 Nest Ball SVI 181
1 Ultra Ball SVI 196
1 Quick Ball SSH 179
1 Poké Pad POR 81
1 Evolution Incense SSH 163
1 Evosoda GEN 62
1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
1 Metal Saucer SSH 170
1 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
1 Super Rod PAL 188
1 Night Stretcher ASC 196
1 Field Blower GRI 125
1 Earthen Vessel PRE 106
1 VS Seeker PHF 109
1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
1 Float Stone BKT 137
1 Escape Board UPR 122
1 Muscle Band XY 121
1 Parallel City BKT 145
1 Mt. Coronet UPR 130
1 Lost City LOR 161
Energy: 11
10 Metal Energy SVE 8
1 Counter Energy CIN 100
Looking for more ideas or feedback on your deck?
Head over to Tricky Gym Discord’s glc-decklists channel for threads on every archetype to discuss strategy, get suggestions, and browse decklists!
