How to Play Pokemon TCG
Master the Pokemon Trading Card Game with this complete beginner's guide
Win Conditions
Three ways to achieve victory
Collect Prize Cards
Take all 6 of your Prize Cards by knocking out your opponent's Pokemon.
Knock Out All Pokemon
Knock out your opponent's Active Pokemon when they have no Benched Pokemon to replace it.
Deck Out Opponent
Win if your opponent cannot draw a card at the start of their turn.
Card Types
Understanding the three main card types
Pokemon Cards
The creatures you battle with. Each has HP, attacks, and may evolve from other Pokemon.
- HP (Hit Points) - how much damage it can take
- Type - determines strengths and weaknesses
- Attacks - actions that deal damage or have effects
- Evolution stage - Basic, Stage 1, or Stage 2
- Weakness, Resistance, and Retreat Cost
Energy Cards
Power your Pokemon's attacks. Attach one per turn from your hand.
- 9 Basic types: Fire, Water, Grass, Electric, Psychic, Fighting, Dark, Metal, Fairy
- Special Energy - provide extra effects
- One Energy attachment per turn
- Colorless cost can use any Energy type
Trainer Cards
Support cards that help you throughout the game with various effects.
- Items - play as many as you want per turn
- Supporters - only one per turn, powerful effects
- Stadiums - stay in play, affect both players
- Tools - attach to Pokemon for bonuses
Game Setup
Get ready to play in 5 easy steps
Determine First Player
Flip a coin or use another random method to decide who goes first.
Shuffle and Draw
Both players shuffle their 60-card decks and draw 7 cards as their starting hand.
Place Your Pokemon
Place a Basic Pokemon face-down in the Active Spot. You may place up to 5 more Basic Pokemon on your Bench.
Set Prize Cards
Set aside the top 6 cards of your deck face-down as Prize Cards. You'll take one each time you knock out an opponent's Pokemon.
Begin the Game
Both players flip their Active Pokemon and Benched Pokemon face-up. The game begins!
Mulligan Rule: If you don't have any Basic Pokemon in your opening hand, reveal your hand, shuffle it back, and draw 7 new cards. Your opponent may draw an extra card each time you mulligan.
Turn Structure
What happens each turn
Draw Phase
Draw 1 card from your deck. If you cannot draw because your deck is empty, you lose the game.
Main Phase
Do any of these actions in any order:
- •Play Basic Pokemon to your Bench (up to 5 total)
- •Evolve Pokemon (not on first turn or same turn played)
- •Attach 1 Energy card from your hand to a Pokemon
- •Play Trainer cards (1 Supporter per turn)
- •Use Abilities (as many as applicable)
- •Retreat your Active Pokemon (once per turn, pay Retreat Cost)
Attack Phase
Choose one of your Active Pokemon's attacks (if you have the required Energy attached). Apply damage and effects. Your turn ends after attacking. The first player cannot attack on their first turn.
Special Conditions
Status effects that affect Pokemon
Poisoned
Place 1 damage counter (10 damage) on this Pokemon between turns.
Burned
Flip a coin between turns. Tails = 2 damage counters (20 damage).
Asleep
Cannot attack or retreat. Flip coin between turns - heads wakes up.
Paralyzed
Cannot attack or retreat. Automatically clears at end of your next turn.
Confused
To attack, flip a coin. Tails = attack fails and deal 30 damage to yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions
Ready to Start Playing?
Get everything you need to begin your journey. Our starter decks come with everything you need to play right out of the box.
Interested in other games?
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