How to play Pokemon TCG

Summary

The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) involves players battling to knock out each other's Pokémon or take all their prize cards. Players build decks of 60 cards, using Pokémon, Energy, and Trainer cards. The game starts with players drawing their hands, placing Basic Pokémon on the field, and taking turns to play cards, evolve Pokémon, and use attacks. Special conditions like paralysis or sleep can affect Pokémon, and managing energy, evolving, and attacking are key strategies. The first player to take all their prize cards or knock out their opponent’s Pokémon wins the game.

Takeaways

• 😀 The goal of Pokémon TCG is to either draw all prize cards, knock out all opponent's Pokémon, or make your opponent run out of cards in their deck.
• 😀 Each player must have a deck of exactly 60 cards, with a limit of 4 copies of a specific card (except for Basic Energy cards, which can be unlimited).
• 😀 The game starts by both players shuffling their decks and drawing 7 cards. If no Basic Pokémon is drawn, a player must reshuffle and draw again (called a mulligan).
• 😀 Players set aside 6 cards as prize cards, which are drawn when knocking out opponent Pokémon.
• 😀 The game features 3 types of cards: Pokémon, Energy, and Trainer cards. Pokémon come in Basic, Stage 1, and Stage 2 varieties.
• 😀 During a player's turn, they can draw cards, play Pokémon, evolve Pokémon, attach Energy, play Trainer cards, retreat Pokémon, or use Pokémon abilities.
• 😀 Players can only evolve Pokémon during their turn if they have the proper evolution card and it follows the evolution rule (not evolving on the turn it's played).
• 😀 Energy cards are required to perform attacks. A player may attach only one Energy per turn, and they must attach it to an active or benched Pokémon.
• 😀 Pokémon can attack once per turn, as long as they have the required Energy attached. Damage is calculated based on attack value, weakness, and resistance.
• 😀 Special conditions like Sleep, Burn, Confusion, Paralysis, and Poison can affect Pokémon. These conditions are checked at the end of each turn and have various effects on gameplay.
• 😀 A player wins by either drawing all their Prize cards, knocking out all the opponent's Pokémon, or when the opponent cannot draw a card at the start of their turn.

Q & A

What is the primary objective of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG)?

The primary objective of the Pokémon TCG is to be the first player to either take all your prize cards, knock out all your opponent's Pokémon, or deplete your opponent's deck before yours runs out.

How many cards should each player have in their deck, and are there any card restrictions?

Each player must have exactly 60 cards in their deck. You can only have up to four copies of any card with the same name, except for Basic Energy cards, which can be included in any quantity.

What is the difference between Basic Pokémon and Stage 1 or Stage 2 Pokémon?

Basic Pokémon can be played directly from your hand onto the field, while Stage 1 and Stage 2 Pokémon need to evolve from a Basic or Stage 1 Pokémon that is already in play.

What happens if a player has no Basic Pokémon in their opening hand?

If a player has no Basic Pokémon in their opening hand, they must perform a Mulligan, reshuffling their deck and drawing 7 new cards. The opponent may draw one card for each Mulligan the player takes.

What are Prize cards and how do players win the game?

Prize cards are the six cards set aside at the beginning of the game. Each time a player knocks out an opponent's Pokémon, they take one of their Prize cards. The first player to collect all six Prize cards wins the game.

How does evolving a Pokémon work in the game?

To evolve a Pokémon, you place the corresponding Stage 1 or Stage 2 Pokémon from your hand on top of the Pokémon in play. Evolving Pokémon keeps all attached cards, damage counters, and special conditions, but the Pokémon can no longer use its previous attacks or abilities unless specified by the card.

What is the purpose of Trainer cards in the game?

Trainer cards provide various effects that can help players during the game. There are three types of Trainer cards: Items (instant effects), Supporters (one-time powerful effects per turn), and Stadiums (persistent effects that remain in play).

How do Energy cards work, and how many can a player attach in one turn?

Energy cards are used to power a Pokémon's attacks. Each turn, a player can attach one Energy card from their hand to a Pokémon in play. There are Basic Energy cards and Special Energy cards with additional effects.

What are Special Conditions and how do they affect Pokémon?

Special Conditions include being Asleep, Burned, Confused, Paralyzed, or Poisoned. These conditions limit a Pokémon's ability to attack or retreat and require certain actions (like flipping a coin) or phases to remove them.

Can Pokémon with Special Conditions still attack or Retreat?

No, Pokémon with Special Conditions such as Asleep or Paralyzed cannot attack or Retreat, though certain conditions like being Burned or Poisoned can still allow them to perform actions with penalties.