ChatGPT to the rescue!
The SUM–LOT format in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) spans from November 2018 to February 2019, marking a significant period for competitive play. It follows the release of the Lost Thunder expansion and ends right before the Team Up expansion, which introduced TAG TEAM Pokémon outside of Japan. The format was a critical transition period for players, as it was the last opportunity to compete without the powerhouse TAG TEAM Pokémon that would soon reshape the meta.
Why It Was Popular
The SUM–LOT format is remembered fondly by competitive players for its balance and diversity. The format allowed for a wide variety of decks to be viable, which led to exciting gameplay and dynamic tournaments. Players appreciated how it emphasized skill over brute force, as TAG TEAM cards hadn’t yet dominated the meta with their high-HP Pokémon that could swing games in a single turn. As a result, many players consider this era one of the last “pure” formats before the power creep of TAG TEAM Pokémon changed the competitive landscape.
Prominent Decks and Archetypes
Several decks and archetypes dominated the SUM–LOT format, showcasing a variety of strategies and Pokémon.
- Zoroark-GX Variants
2.Zoroark-GX* was the standout card of the format, often paired with other Pokémon to create strong synergy. Its Trade ability allowed players to maintain hand advantage, and its attack, Riotous Beating, could deal significant damage for just a Double Colorless Energy. Common variants included:
- Zoroark-GX/Lycanroc-GX: This deck combined Zoroark-GX’s consistency with Lycanroc-GX’s Bloodthirsty Eyes ability to pull up vulnerable targets and deliver powerful one-hit knockouts.
- Zoroark-GX/Control: Control decks used Zoroark-GX for consistent draw while incorporating cards like Oranguru and Delinquent to disrupt opponents’ strategies.
- Blacephalon-GX/Naganadel
The Blacephalon-GX deck was a high-risk, high-reward strategy that relied on the Burst GX attack to take multiple prizes in a single turn. Naganadel with its Charging Up ability provided a reliable energy source, allowing Blacephalon-GX to hit big numbers with its Mind Blown attack by discarding Fire Energy from the board. This deck was known for its explosiveness and ability to knock out even the largest Pokémon in one hit.
- Malamar Psychic Toolbox
Malamar decks, known for their energy acceleration via the Psychic Recharge ability, were highly flexible and could incorporate a variety of attackers. Players often used Pokémon like Ultra Necrozma-GX, Giratina, and Mewtwo-GX to deal massive damage while continuously recycling energy. The deck’s versatility made it a favorite among skilled players.
- Lost March
A more aggressive strategy, Lost March utilized low-energy attackers like Jumpluff and Natu, whose Lost March attack grew stronger for each Pokémon sent to the Lost Zone. This deck was fast and could overwhelm slower strategies, but it required precise deck-building and management of resources in the Lost Zone.
- Granbull Control
Another unique deck of the format was Granbull with its All Out attack, which did massive damage if the player’s hand was empty. Players used cards like Oranguru and Ultra Ball to thin their hands quickly, making Granbull a consistent and threatening one-prize attacker that could take down even GX Pokémon.
Important Tournaments
The most significant event of the SUM–LOT format was the 2018/19 Latin America International Championship (LAIC). Held in São Paulo, Brazil, this tournament attracted top players from around the world and featured a diverse metagame. Notably, the event showcased the strengths of decks like Zoroark-GX variants, Blacephalon-GX/Naganadel, and Malamar Psychic Toolbox, with each of these decks performing well and making deep runs in the tournament.
In addition to LAIC, several Regionals and Special Events were held during this format. These tournaments saw a mixture of the top archetypes battling for supremacy, with Zoroark-GX often proving to be the most consistent and versatile deck across different events.
Legacy and Transition to TAG TEAM Era
The SUM–LOT format is often viewed as a transitional period, where the balance and variety of decks created a memorable competitive environment. However, it also set the stage for the rapid changes brought by the Team Up expansion, which would soon introduce TAG TEAM Pokémon. These cards significantly shifted the meta by introducing powerful, high-HP Pokémon-GX capable of taking multiple Prize Cards in a single knockout, forever altering the pace and dynamics of the Pokémon TCG.
In summary, the SUM–LOT format is cherished for its diversity, strategic depth, and competitive integrity. It showcased some of the most balanced gameplay in modern Pokémon TCG history, with prominent decks like Zoroark-GX, Blacephalon-GX, and Malamar defining the metagame before the introduction of the game-changing TAG TEAM era.
Not so soon but later I plan to add dedicated pages for each format, to which above can be appended to.
PS: SUM–LOT format will be released in v73!
Thanks for all the information!
Can you please also supply a brief paragraph about this format as an introduction in the next TCGONE announcement?