How To Play
Beginner’s Guide to the Pokémon TCG
This is everything you need to know before you get into a game of Pokémon.
Links below to go into more depth
Pokémon Card
NAME OF CARD
You may only include up to four copies of any card with the same name in a Standard format deck, with basic Energy cards being the only exception to this limit.
POKEMON TYPE AND HP
This shows your Pokémon’s type and how much damage it can withstand before being Knocked Out. Its specific Weaknesses and Resistances are listed at the bottom of the card.
STAGE
This shows your Pokémon’s current Evolution stage. You can evolve a Pokémon that has been in play for at least one full turn, as long as you have its appropriate Evolution card in your hand.
ATTACKS
To use an attack, that Pokémon must have the required type and amount of Energy attached, as shown here. The number on the right indicates how much damage the attack deals to your opponent’s Active Pokémon.
RETREAT COST
This shows the Energy cost to move your Pokémon from the Active Spot to the Bench. When you retreat, discard that amount of Energy from the Pokémon, then switch it with a Pokémon from your Bench in the Active Spot.
Field of Play
PRIZE CARDS
When you Knock Out one of your opponent’s Pokémon, you take a Prize card and add it to your hand. The first player to claim their final Prize card wins the game
ACTIVE CARD
Each player begins with, and must always have, one Pokémon in their Active Spot - this is called the Active Pokémon. You can only have one Active Pokémon at a time. If your opponent has no Pokémon left in play, you win the game.
BENCH
The lower area of the playfield is used for your Benched Pokémon. You may have up to five Pokémon on your Bench at any time. Any Pokémon in play that is not your Active Pokémon must be placed on the Bench.
DECK
Each player begins the game with a deck of 60 cards. The number of cards in each deck is known, but no one may look through or rearrange either deck unless a card effect specifically allows it.
DISCARD PILE
Each player has their own discard pile, where cards go when they leave play unless a card effect says otherwise. When a Pokémon is Knocked Out, it and all cards attached to it, such as Energy, are usually placed in that player’s discard pile.
