Pokémon TCG Weakness, Resistance and Retreat Cost Explained

Before you calculate damage or switch your Active Pokémon, read the relevant fields on the card. The official card anatomy guide includes the Pokémon's name, type and HP, Stage, attacks, and Retreat Cost. These details help you understand what the card can do during a turn.

Retreat Cost is shown in the lower-right corner of the card. Weakness and Resistance are also presented as card fields, with their type and printed effect shown beside them. Always read the actual card because the printed information tells you how that Pokémon is affected.

Weakness means the defending Pokémon takes more damage when it is attacked by a Pokémon of the type shown in its Weakness field. The printed Weakness effect tells you how the damage changes, so use that effect when calculating the attack.

Start with the damage from the attack, then apply the defending Pokémon's printed Weakness effect when the attacking Pokémon matches the listed type. Keep the calculation tied to the card text instead of relying on a general shortcut.

Resistance means the defending Pokémon takes less damage when attacked by a Pokémon of the type shown in its Resistance field. The amount printed beside the Resistance type tells you how much damage to reduce.

After checking the attacker's type, apply the printed Resistance amount when the type matches. If a game situation involves several effects, read the relevant card text carefully and follow the effect that applies to that attack.

Weakness and Resistance are not applied when a Benched Pokémon takes damage. This is a common source of mistakes when players move damage to a Benched Pokémon or read an effect that affects the Bench.

When checking damage to a Benched Pokémon, do not apply that Pokémon's Weakness or Resistance. Read the effect causing the damage and follow any specific card text that changes how the effect works.

Retreating switches your Active Pokémon with one of your Benched Pokémon. To retreat, discard Energy from the Pokémon that is retreating equal to its Retreat Cost. The cost is printed in the lower-right corner of the card.

Choose the Benched Pokémon you want to become Active, then pay the retreating Pokémon's printed cost by discarding the required Energy. If you cannot discard Energy equal to the Retreat Cost, you cannot complete that retreat using the general retreat rule.

A player can retreat only once during their turn. Plan the switch before paying the cost, especially when you are deciding which Benched Pokémon should become Active.

Damage counters record damage on a Pokémon. A Pokémon is Knocked Out when its total damage is greater than or equal to its Hit Points. This makes correct damage calculation important when Weakness or Resistance applies.