Pokémon TCG · Series Guide
The Gym Series
Two sets from 2000, Gym Heroes and Gym Challenge, in which every Pokémon belongs to a Kanto Gym Leader or Team Rocket.
The sets in the series
The Gym series ran from August 14, 2000 to October 16, 2000: two English sets. Together they hold 264 cards, and every one has a full guide.
| Set | Code | Released | Cards | Complete set as singles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gym Heroes | G1 | August 14, 2000 | 132 | $2,090.35 on Oct 22 |
| Gym Challenge | G2 | October 16, 2000 | 132 | $3,183.57 on Oct 22 |
The last column is what one copy of every card cost as singles, each at its cheapest priced variant and TCGplayer market price. For these sets that is usually an Unlimited or Normal copy, so a set in 1st Edition or Reverse Holofoil costs far more. Gym Challenge is the most expensive Gym series set to complete, and Gym Heroes the least.
What the Gym series changed
The Gym sets made every Pokémon an owner's Pokémon: Brock's Onix, Misty's Psyduck, Blaine's Charizard. An owner's Pokémon is its own card and evolves only from the same owner's Pokémon, and several Gym Leader Trainers work only with that leader's Pokémon.
Gym Heroes also added the first Stadium cards, which stay in play and affect both players. Gym Challenge brought in Koga and Giovanni, the last two Kanto Gym Leaders.
Each set's chase card
The card each set guide leads with, shown in its ordinary printing.
Rarities across the series
Both Gym sets print Common, Uncommon, Rare and Rare Holo and nothing above their printed total.
| Set | Rare Holo | Rare | Above the printed total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym Heroes | 19 | 23 | 0 |
| Gym Challenge | 20 | 21 | 0 |
The chase card in each set
Across the series, Gym Challenge's Blaine's Charizard is the most valuable of the cards the guides lead with. Each price is the printing named in its rarity column.
| Set | Chase card | Printing | Market price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym Heroes | Blaine's Moltres | Rare Holo, Unlimited | $139.06 on Oct 22 |
| Gym Challenge | Blaine's Charizard | Rare Holo, Unlimited | $586.76 on Oct 22 |
Prices are TCGplayer market prices and move daily; a card this old can go days without a sale. Each set guide lists its chase card's other printings and the rest of its chase list. How much are my Pokémon cards worth? →
The set guides
Gym Heroes (August 14, 2000). Every Pokémon in it belongs to someone: Brock's Rhydon, Misty's Seadra, Sabrina's Gengar. It also printed the first Stadium cards.
Gym Challenge (October 16, 2000). The second Gym set: Blaine's Charizard, Giovanni and Koga join the Gym Leaders, and every one of its 95 Pokémon belongs to an owner.
What came next
The Neo series followed. The Neo series →
Frequently Asked Questions
What sets are in the Pokémon TCG Gym series?
Two English sets: Gym Heroes (August 14, 2000) and Gym Challenge (October 16, 2000).
Which Gym series set is the biggest?
Gym Heroes, with 132 cards. Gym Heroes is the smallest at 132.
What is the most valuable card in the Gym series?
Among the chase cards the set guides lead with, Gym Challenge's Blaine's Charizard (Rare Holo, Unlimited), at $586.76 on October 22, 2026. Gym Heroes' Blaine's Moltres was next at $139.06. Prices move daily, and a scarcer printing of the same card can cost far more.
Are Gym series cards legal in Standard or Expanded?
No set from this series is. Expanded starts with the Black & White series in 2011. The catalog marks a few cards in each set as legal anyway, basic Energy and cards that share their name and text with a later legal printing, and each set guide lists them.
Can owner's Pokémon evolve from regular Pokémon?
No. Misty's Seadra evolves only from Misty's Horsea, and Erika's Dragonair only from Erika's Dratini. The owner's name is part of the card's name.
Track the whole series.
Add your Gym series cards, see how much of each set you own, and value every copy from daily TCGplayer prices. Free to start.
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