So you can read thoughts and bend spoons and now all of a sudden you think you got what it takes to be a Psychic type Gym Leader? Psychic Pokémon have a wide range of possibilities in Gym Leader Challenge, boasting Energy acceleration, Ability lock, draw power, Bench protection and more. They also have access to arguably the best spread game in all of Gym Leader challenge with multiple Pokémon that place damage counters with attacks and Abilities. Psychic is probably one of the more difficult types to play, but also a tricky type to play against since there are so many strategies available to it and no single Weakness across the type’s variety of attackers. As proof of its potential, Tricky Gym moderator Tre McCarden was able to pilot his Psychic deck to a stunning victory over JW “FlexDaddyRighteous” Kriewall’s Lightning deck in the finals of the first ever Gym Leader Challenge 1K hosted at Full Grip Games.

Support Pokémon

Psychic has great Ability lock options with access to both Wobbuffet and Garbodor. It also has the best Bench protection in the format with both Mew and Mr. Mime (PLF) sporting the Bench Barrier Ability. Malamar and Xatu are great options for getting additional Energy into play, which can be further supplemented by one of the best Stadium cards ever printed, Dimension Valley. Psychic has gained some powerful draw and search Pokémon in recent sets with Gallade and Kirlia, making it not only a versatile type, but also a consistent one.

Attackers

If you’re like me, then you love Dragapult from Rebel Clash. There are few greater feelings in Pokémon than flipping heads, denying your opponent’s attack, then proceeding to use Phantom Force multiple turns in a row. Players from the Sun and Moon era will also be pleased to see that Giratina from Lost Thunder is back in style with Gym Leader Challenge and stronger than ever. Shadow Impact hits the magic number in GLC, 130, and what’s better is that you don’t ever have to waste a recovery card to recover it thanks to its Distortion Door Ability. Dragapult and Giratina are strong, but one of the biggest menaces in Psychic’s arsenal is Blacephalon from Cosmic Eclipse. Blacephalon’s Fireworks Bomb attack places an incredible 12 damage counters on the opponent’s board if they have three Prizes remaining. BEWARE THE THREE PRIZE TURN! If your opponent fails to respond to Blacephalon immediately, Fireworks Bomb can sweep the rest of the game.

Decklists

Buddy Catch

Source: Jon Patterson
FGG Psychic Badge 2026 Season & Top 16 MEG $3k - 09/2025

  • 1 Galarian Articuno EVS 63

    1 Inkay FLI 50

    1 Malamar FLI 51

    1 Iron Boulder PRE 46

    1 Mew CEL 11

    1 Mimikyu GRI 58

    1 Mr. Mime PLF 47

    1 Natu CEC 78

    1 Xatu PAF 26

    1 Necrozma UNM 101

    1 Ralts MEG 58

    1 Kirlia SIT 68

    1 Gallade ASR 62

    1 Wobbuffet GEN RC11

    1 Battle VIP Pass FST 225

    1 Buddy-Buddy Poffin PRE 101

    1 Energy Retrieval WHT 82

    1 Escape Rope BST 125

    1 Evolution Incense SSH 163

    1 Evosoda GEN 62

    1 Field Blower GRI 125

    1 Fog Crystal CRE 140

    1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146

    1 Level Ball BST 129

    1 Mysterious Treasure FLI 113

    1 Nest Ball PAF 84

    1 Night Stretcher SFA 61

    1 Pal Pad SVI 182

    1 Professor's Letter BKT 146

    1 Quick Ball FST 237

    1 Rescue Stretcher GRI 130

    1 Town Map BKT 150

    1 Ultra Ball MEG 131

    1 VS Seeker PHF 109

    1 Muscle Band XY 121

    1 U-Turn Board UNM 211

    1 Dimension Valley PHF 93

    1 Parallel City BKT 145

    1 Arven OBF 186

    1 Avery CRE 130

    1 Bird Keeper DAA 159

    1 Cynthia & Caitlin CEC 189

    1 Guzma BUS 115

    1 Hex Maniac AOR 75

    1 Iono PAF 80

    1 Lillie's Determination MEG 119

    1 Marnie CPA 56

    1 N FCO 105

    1 Raihan CRZ 140

    1 Tulip PAR 181

    6 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5

    1 Counter Energy CIN 100

    1 Horror Psychic Energy RCL 172

    1 Mystery Energy PHF 112

    1 Recycle Energy UNM 212

Garbodor

Source: Jesse Parker
2nd Place MEG $3k - 09/2025

  • 1 Cleffa OBF 80

    1 Frillish WHT 44

    1 Inkay FLI 50

    1 Malamar FLI 51

    1 Iron Boulder PRE 46

    1 Mewtwo CRZ 59

    1 Mimikyu GRI 58

    1 Natu CEC 78

    1 Xatu PAR 72

    1 Necrozma UNM 101

    1 Nihilego LOT 106

    1 Trubbish NVI 48

    1 Garbodor BKP 57

    1 Wobbuffet PHF 36

    1 Buddy-Buddy Poffin PRE 101

    1 Evolution Incense SSH 163

    1 Field Blower GRI 125

    1 Fog Crystal CRE 140

    1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146

    1 Mysterious Treasure FLI 113

    1 Nest Ball PAF 84

    1 Night Stretcher SFA 61

    1 Pokégear 3.0 BLK 84

    1 Professor's Letter BKT 146

    1 Quick Ball FST 237

    1 Rescue Stretcher GRI 130

    1 Town Map BKT 150

    1 Ultra Ball PAF 91

    1 VS Seeker PHF 109

    1 Air Balloon BLK 79

    1 Fighting Fury Belt BKP 99

    1 Float Stone BKT 137

    1 Luxurious Cape PAR 166

    1 U-Turn Board UNM 211

    1 Dimension Valley PHF 93

    1 Parallel City BKT 145

    1 Shopping Center EVS 157

    1 Arven OBF 186

    1 Boss's Orders (Ghetsis) PAL 172

    1 Guzma BUS 115

    1 Iono PAF 80

    1 Judge DRI 167

    1 Lillie's Determination MEG 119

    1 Lusamine CIN 96

    1 Marnie CPA 56

    1 N FCO 105

    1 Professor's Research PRE 122

    1 Raihan EVS 152

    1 Teammates PRC 141

    1 Tulip PAR 181

    7 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 13

    1 Counter Energy CIN 100

    1 Horror Psychic Energy RCL 172

    1 Mystery Energy PHF 112

Cursed Kiss

Source: Noah Zoldak
Top 8 MEG $3k - 09/2025

  • 1 Cleffa OBF 80

    1 Duskull BRS 60

    1 Dusclops PRE 36

    1 Dusknoir PRE 37

    1 Inkay FLI 50

    1 Malamar FLI 51

    1 Iron Boulder PRE 46

    1 Mimikyu GRI 58

    1 Mr. Mime PLF 47

    1 Necrozma UNM 101

    1 Ralts MEG 58

    1 Kirlia SIT 68

    1 Gallade ASR 62

    1 Togepi OBF 83

    1 Togetic OBF 84

    1 Togekiss SSP 72

    1 Wobbuffet PHF 36

    1 Buddy-Buddy Poffin PRE 101

    1 Evolution Incense SSH 163

    1 Field Blower GRI 125

    1 Fog Crystal CRE 140

    1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146

    1 Level Ball BST 129

    1 Mysterious Treasure FLI 113

    1 Nest Ball PAF 84

    1 Night Stretcher SFA 61

    1 Quick Ball FST 237

    1 Rare Candy MEG 125

    1 Rescue Stretcher GRI 130

    1 Ultra Ball MEG 131

    1 VS Seeker PHF 109

    1 Float Stone BKT 137

    1 U-Turn Board UNM 211

    1 Dimension Valley PHF 93

    1 Mystery Garden MEG 122

    1 Parallel City BKT 145

    1 Tropical Beach PR-BLW BW50

    1 Ball Guy SHF 57

    1 Cynthia & Caitlin CEC 189

    1 Guzma BUS 115

    1 Guzma & Hala CEC 193

    1 Hex Maniac AOR 75

    1 Iono PAF 80

    1 Judge DRI 167

    1 Lillie's Determination MEG 119

    1 Lusamine CIN 96

    1 Marnie CPA 56

    1 N FCO 105

    1 Raihan CRZ 140

    1 Teammates PRC 141

    1 Tulip PAR 181

    6 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5

    1 Capture Energy RCL 171

    1 Counter Energy CIN 100

    1 Mystery Energy PHF 112

Crispin Munkidori

Source: Brooke English
Top 8 MEG $3k - 09/2025

  • 1 Galarian Articuno EVS 63

    1 Giratina LOT 97

    1 Inkay FLI 50

    1 Malamar FLI 51

    1 Iron Boulder PRE 46

    1 Mew CEL 11

    1 Mimikyu GRI 58

    1 Munkidori PRE 44

    1 Natu CEC 78

    1 Xatu PAF 26

    1 Ralts MEG 58

    1 Kirlia SIT 68

    1 Gallade ASR 62

    1 Wobbuffet GEN RC11

    1 Battle Compressor Team Flare Gear PHF 92

    1 Battle VIP Pass FST 225

    1 Buddy-Buddy Poffin PRE 101

    1 Energy Retrieval WHT 82

    1 Evolution Incense SSH 163

    1 Evosoda GEN 62

    1 Field Blower GRI 125

    1 Fog Crystal CRE 140

    1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146

    1 Level Ball BST 129

    1 Mysterious Treasure FLI 113

    1 Nest Ball PAF 84

    1 Night Stretcher SFA 61

    1 Professor's Letter BKT 146

    1 Quick Ball FST 237

    1 Rescue Stretcher GRI 130

    1 Scoop Up Net RCL 165

    1 Town Map BKT 150

    1 Ultra Ball MEG 131

    1 VS Seeker PHF 109

    1 Muscle Band XY 121

    1 U-Turn Board UNM 211

    1 Dimension Valley PHF 93

    1 Parallel City BKT 145

    1 Arven OBF 186

    1 Bird Keeper DAA 159

    1 Crispin PRE 105

    1 Cynthia & Caitlin CEC 189

    1 Guzma BUS 115

    1 Hex Maniac AOR 75

    1 Iono PAF 80

    1 Lillie's Determination MEG 119

    1 N FCO 105

    1 Professor's Research BLK 85

    1 Raihan CRZ 140

    1 Tulip PAR 181

    2 Basic Darkness Energy SVE 15

    6 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 13

    1 Counter Energy CIN 100

    1 Mystery Energy PHF 112

Lost Zone

Source: Zmancuddles
09/2025

  • 1 Comfey LOR 79

    1 Mew CEL 11

    1 Mewtwo UNB 75

    1 Mimikyu CEC 96

    1 Mr. Mime PLF 47

    1 Sableye LOR 70

    1 Shuppet ROS 30

    1 Banette LOR 73

    1 Unown AOR 30

    1 Acro Bike CES 123

    1 Battle Compressor Team Flare Gear PHF 92

    1 Bicycle PLS 117

    1 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144

    1 Counter Catcher PAR 160

    1 Echoing Horn CRE 136

    1 Enhanced Hammer TWM 148

    1 Escape Rope BST 125

    1 Field Blower GRI 125

    1 Fog Crystal CRE 140

    1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146

    1 Level Ball BST 129

    1 Lost Blender LOT 181

    1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135

    1 Mysterious Treasure FLI 113

    1 Night Stretcher SFA 61

    1 Pal Pad SVI 182

    1 Pokédex EVO 82

    1 Quick Ball FST 237

    1 Random Receiver FCO 109

    1 Red Card GEN 71

    1 Rescue Carrier CRZ 142

    1 Rescue Stretcher GRI 130

    1 Scoop Up Net RCL 165

    1 Stadium Nav UNM 208

    1 Switch Cart ASR 154

    1 Trainers' Mail ROS 92

    1 Trekking Shoes CRZ 145

    1 Ultra Ball MEG 131

    1 VS Seeker PHF 109

    1 Float Stone BKT 137

    1 Rescue Scarf DRX 115

    1 Spell Tag LOT 190

    1 U-Turn Board UNM 211

    1 Chaotic Swell CEC 187

    1 Mystery Garden MEG 122

    1 PokéStop PGO 68

    1 Tropical Beach PR-BLW BW28

    1 Colress's Experiment LOR 155

    1 Cyllene ASR 138

    1 Guzma BUS 115

    1 Hex Maniac AOR 75

    1 Klara CRE 145

    1 Lillie's Determination MEG 119

    1 Tulip PAR 181

    4 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 13

    1 Horror Psychic Energy RCL 172

    1 Mystery Energy PHF 112

Looking for more ideas or feedback on your deck?

Check out the Tricky Gym Discord’s #glc-decklists channel and Cardboard Warriors Community Decks page for more inspiration!

CardBoard Warriors Community Decks