PookaTag Team GX
When Pokémon joined forces to break the game
Introduced in the Team Up expansion (2019), Tag Team GX cards redefined power creep in the Pokémon TCG. For the first time, two (or even three!) Pokémon shared a single card frame, boasting massive HP pools of up to 300 and game-changing "GX attacks." But this power came with a heavy price: knocking out a Tag Team meant taking 3 Prize cards—half the game in a single blow.
Updated April 10, 2026
High Risk, High Reward
Before Tag Teams, the most a player could lose from a single knockout was 2 Prize cards (for EX or GX Pokémon). Tag Teams shattered this ceiling, making them worth 3 Prizes. This turned every match involving them into a tense standoff—one misplay could cost you the game instantly.
To compensate, they were given unprecedented power. HP soared to new heights (Magikarp & Wailord GX hit 300 HP), and their GX attacks often had additional "plus" effects that activated if extra Energy was attached, rewarding greedy setups with devastating finishers.
Tournament Dominators
The decks that defined the 2019-2020 competitive standard format.
The Birth of Special Arts
While the mechanic was controversial for gameplay, collectors loved Tag Teams for another reason: the introduction of "Special Art" (definitions of Alternate Art). These rare versions featured unique, story-driven illustrations often drawn by famous guest artists.
The Gengar & Mimikyu GX alternate art, showing the two ghosts lurking in a dark room, or the Latias & Latios GX forming a heart shape in the sky, became instant classics. This focus on premium, full-art storytelling laid the groundwork for the "Illustration Rare" galleries we see in the Scarlet & Violet era today.
Market Value: The Alt Art Boom
Tag Team "Alt Arts" are some of the most liquid and appreciating assets in the modern TCG. The Latias & Latios GX (Alt Art) from Team Up has skyrocketed from a $20 card at release to a $700+ powerhouse.
Other heavy hitters include the Gengar & Mimikyu GX (Alt Art) ($300+) and the Magikarp & Wailord GX (Alt Art) ($150+). When searching for these cards, look for the "Special Art" designation or the unique illustration style—regular GX versions are often worth only a few dollars, making the distinction critical for collectors.
Iconic Pairings
Some of the most thematic and beloved team-ups in the block.
