Gym Leader Challenge Psychic Deck

Many decks in GLC are build around a good energy accelerator, spread damage or strong attackers who are difficult to KO. Many also have great draw abilities with them as well. Wouldn’t it be great to have all that, including a way to disrupt your hand as soon as turn 1, in one deck? Well here it is!

Core Concepts

The idea of the deck is quite simple. Spend your first few turns setting up Musharna and Kirlia/Gallade (both are fine really in the early game) and your first attacker. Both Mimikyu and Cresselia are great to have in the active spot as they help you set up your board more quickly. I’ve been using Blacephelon as well a lot as it can help you disrupt your opponent’s setup by sniping their support Pokemon while using Marshadow to disrupt their hand even more. In the meantime, you’ll likely get out Giratina as well as Malamar or Dragapult to sweep the game with. I choose to go second most of the time. As tempting as the turn 1 going first marshadow is, when you can’t play a supporter you’re just as likely to brick as your opponent is, so I opt for consistency. A turn 1 gloria or brigette will help you set up your board almost entirely.

Pokemon

Now let’s look at some specific pokemon in the list, let’s start with Giratina.

Giratina’s distortion door ability doesn’t only allow Giratina to return to the bench every time it gets KOed to swing again for 130 damage. It also allows you to soften up 2 of your opponent’s benched Pokemon for 10 damage. This may not seem a lot, but it will be the difference between a ohko or a 2hko in the late game, so make sure to plan ahead on what Pokemon your opponent has that has too much hp for you to KO otherwise.

Dragapult is probably the most feared Pokemon in this deck. It’s ability infiltrator will crush your opponent’s dream, or yours depending how lucky you are. Like Giratina’s ability, you use Dragapult's attack secondary effect to soften up your opponent’s Pokemon even more. Dragapult only hits for 120 damage so it’s definitely needed to stay focused on your main goal of taking one KO every turn rather than trying to snipe off some support Pokemon with 90 hp. I use pot helmet in this deck to increase the chance of Dragapult staying on the field for even longer. Most Pokemon in GLC struggle to deal 180 damage so the chance of Dragapult surviving the turn is incredibly high even when you flip tails on infiltrator.

Gallade is a great support mon. It’s able to search out any supporter you want allowing crazy consistency. It’s also a great late game attacker since it’s able to deal 160 damage for three energy, easily hitting the numbers Dragapult or Giratina couldn’t hit themselves. This versatility does mean it’s generally a target, so prepare it getting bossed in around half of your games. Usually this isn’t a big problem since it means you get an extra turn with Dragapult spreading even more damage around the board, but it’s always good to keep in mind.

Blacephelon and Mimikyu are both very dependent on the timing that they are played. Blacephelon is great when your opponent has only three prizes remaining, tripling its damage. It can easily finish some low HP support Pokemon on the opponent’s bench, or deal with a massive threat. Mimikyu’s attack is great to deal with some of your opponent’s bigger Pokemon like Torterra (careful though, this only kos if you have all your evolutions out), the SIT Wailord when you have a special energy attached and Copperajah. All three Pokemon your other Attackers will struggle with.

Trainers

The trainers in this deck are mainly based around making the consistency as high as possible with as many draw and search cards as possible. Psychic already has access to some great items like fog crystal and mysterious treasure to help set up. Dimension Valley allows you to lower the attack cost for most your attackers and old cemetery makes it easier for Dragapult and Giratina to pick up a ko. Both of which can be recovered with Lusamine whenever needed. This deck is able to adapt to anything your opponent can throw at you while also disrupting their hand or bench. It does however have a few weaknesses. Dark will always be a rough matchup since them being able to take two prizes in a turn while also always hitting for weakness can be very tough to deal with, however as long as you set up quickly enough you won’t get slowed too much by G. Weezing as much and you can quickly run away with the game. Another tough matchup can be colorless since slaking will wipe the floor with you if not handled properly. Usually sniping the Slakoth early will make this matchup fine, but if they get the rare candy play while you’re still developing your board state, prepare for a hard time.

~Robbie0301

Deck List

##Pokémon - 15

• 1 Blacephalon CEC 104
• 1 Cresselia EVS 228
• 1 Dreepy FST 128
• 1 Giratina LOT 97
• 1 Inkay FLI 50
• 1 Marshadow SLG 45
• 1 Mimikyu GRI 58
• 1 Munna UNM 88
• 1 Ralts PLS 59
• 1 Drakloak FST 129
• 1 Kirlia SIT 68
• 1 Malamar FLI 51
• 1 Musharna NXD 59
• 1 Dragapult RCL 91
• 1 Gallade ASR 62

##Trainer Cards - 35

• 1 Lusamine CIN 96
• 1 Old Cemetery CRE 147
• 1 Spell Tag LOT 190
• 1 Mysterious Treasure FLI 113
• 1 Cynthia & Caitlin CEC 228
• 1 Evolution Incense SSH 163
• 1 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
• 1 Dimension Valley PHF 93
• 1 Marnie SSH 200
• 1 Tate & Liza CES 148
• 1 Super Rod NVI 95
• 1 Nest Ball SUM 123
• 1 Evosoda XY 116
• 1 Teammates PRC 141
• 1 Boss's Orders RCL 189
• 1 Field Blower GRI 125
• 1 Colress PLS 118
• 1 Air Balloon SSH 156
• 1 Erika's Hospitality TEU 174
• 1 Float Stone PLF 99
• 1 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
• 1 Guzma BUS 143
• 1 Brigette BKT 161
• 1 Gloria BRS 212
• 1 Parallel City BKT 145
• 1 N FCO 105
• 1 Cynthia UPR 119
• 1 Fog Crystal CRE 140
• 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
• 1 Pot Helmet BRS 146
• 1 Rare Candy PGO 69
• 1 Quick Ball SSH 216
• 1 Raihan EVS 202
• 1 VS Seeker PHF 109
• 1 Level Ball NXD 89

##Energy - 10

• 1 Counter Energy CIN 100
• 7 Psychic Energy SWSHEnergy 14
• 1 Mystery Energy PHF 112
• 1 Horror Psychic Energy RCL 172