What set is Tag Team GX from?
Tag Team GX cards first appeared in February 2019 with the release of the Sun & Moon Team Up expansion set for the Pokémon Trading Card Game. This groundbreaking set introduced the Tag Team mechanic featuring powerful duo cards with two Pokémon joining forces.
Ever since, Tag Team GX cards have become hugely popular for their oversized artwork, immense HP, and game-changing attacks. But what exactly are Tag Teams and what sets can you find these blockbuster combo cards in? Let‘s take a deep dive.
The Origins of Tag Team GX
Tag Teams marked a major evolution in the competitive Pokémon TCG when they landed in the Sun & Moon era. Earlier EX and GX cards had begun pushing the boundaries of HP and damage with single super-powered Pokémon.
Tag Teams doubled down on this concept with two Pokémon cooperating for exponentially more power. The "GX" subtitle indicates a special card with a game-changing unique move.
The very first Tag Team card revealed was Pikachu & Zekrom GX in November 2018. This electrifying duo set the tone for highlight pairs of Legendary and iconic Pokémon joining forces.
When Sun & Moon Team Up launched shortly after, it introduced 9 different Tag Team GX‘s including Eevee & Snorlax, Latias & Latios, and the infamous Reshiram & Charizard.
This shake-up reinvigorated the competitive scene and kicked off a run of Tag Team focused sets through the rest of Sun & Moon block. Let‘s look at which sets had the most Tag Teams.
Tag Team GX Sets and Frequencies
Here‘s a breakdown of all the main Pokémon TCG expansion sets featuring Tag Team GX cards:
| Set Name | Release Date | Tag Teams | Total Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun & Moon Team Up | Feb 1, 2019 | 9 | 181 |
| Sun & Moon Unbroken Bonds | May 3, 2019 | 14 | 214 |
| Sun & Moon Unified Minds | August 2, 2019 | 15 | 236 |
| Sun & Moon Cosmic Eclipse | November 1, 2019 | 16 | 236 |
| Sun & Moon Rebel Clash | May 1, 2020 | 7 | 192 |
| Total | 61 | 1059 |
As we can see, Unified Minds and Cosmic Eclipse had the most Tag Teams at 15 and 16 respectively. Overall, Tag Teams made up around 6% of cards in these sets.
The pull rates for Tag Team GX cards are around 1 in every 5-6 booster packs on average. The secret rare versions have much tougher odds of around 1 in 144 packs.
Tag Team Card Design
The first thing you‘ll notice about any Tag Team is the extra large card size. Tag Teams measure 4.3 by 6.1 inches compared to the standard 2.5 by 3.5 inches. This accommodates art featuring two Pokémon together.
Tag Teams also have eye-catching gold borders and colorful striped patterns in the card text box. The HP is massively inflated up to 270-300 compared to 130-170 for basic Pokémon.
Attacks hit for well over 200 damage, sometimes up to 340! For comparison, basics normally max out around 120-150 damage. The card layout has the dual-type Pokémon attacks on the left and right sides framed around the shared giant HP.
These cards truly live up to the "Great eXperiment" GX name, pushing the game to its breaking point. Their supersized design alone made Tag Teams must-have chase cards.
The Most Iconic Tag Team GX Pokémon
While there are over 60 Tag Team combinations, a few standouts became instantly iconic for fans and competitive play:
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Pikachu & Zekrom – The trailblazing first Tag Team and a knockout combo of strength and popularity.
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Reshiram & Charizard – Fire breathing dragon duo able to dish 300 damage for 4 energy.
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Mewtwo & Mew – The genetically engineered cat and clone make a fearsome psychic pair.
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Eevee & Snorlax – Fan favorite Eevee teaming up with the lazy heavy-hitter Snorlax.
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Umbreon & Darkrai – Menacing midnight combo able to spread paralysis and confusion.
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Greninja & Zoroark – Sneaky ninja partners capable of sniping bench targets.
The artwork depicts these Pokémon in dramatic battle scenes or showing off their signature moves together. The nostalgia factor and cooled abilities made pulling one of these Tag Teams a memorable moment.
Tag Team Viability and Value
With gameplay as wild as the artwork, Tag Teams immediately impacted competitive Pokémon TCG. Their giant HP pools and multi-Prize KOs could single-handedly win games.
Cards like Pikachu & Zekrom GX, Reshiram & Charizard GX, and Mewtwo & Mew GX dominated tournaments through late 2019. Even with some eventual bans, Tag Teams remained meta relevant thanks to their raw power.
Demand from competitive players and collectors alike made Tag Teams the chase cards to pull from Sun & Moon sets. Here‘s a look at the market value of some of the top Tag Teams:
| Tag Team Card | Normal Price | PSA 10 Gem Mint |
|---|---|---|
| Reshiram & Charizard GX (Secret) | $80-$100 | $350-$400 |
| Eevee & Snorlax GX (Secret) | $40-$60 | $180-$220 |
| Pikachu & Zekrom GX (Secret) | $50-$70 | $120-$150 |
| Mewtwo & Mew GX (Secret) | $30-$50 | $120-$140 |
| Umbreon & Darkrai GX (Secret) | $40-$60 | $100-$130 |
As we can see, PSA graded Gem Mint copies demand heavy premiums, especially for the Secret Rare versions. Raw NM copies can still fetch decent values in the $30-$100 range.
The Future for Tag Teams
While the Sun & Moon era has ended, Tag Team GX cards remain Standard legal in the Pokémon TCG through September 2022. So these duo dynamos still have some competitive life left.
It‘s unclear whether Tag Teams will continue in future sets. But they made a definitive impact during Sun & Moon block as one of the most unique mechanics in Pokémon TCG history.
The larger-than-life card design and gameplay possibilities broke major new ground. Tag Teams will likely always hold a special place for collectors as chase cards. Their artwork and nostalgia ensure Tag Teams will live on as all-time great combo cards.
So while Tag Teams shook up the game, their legacy is firmly cemented as both game-changers and prized collectibles.