How to Play the Pokemon TCG

The Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) is a two-player strategy card game where each player uses a 60-card deck to battle Pokemon, play Trainer cards, and attach Energy to power attacks. The goal is to knock out your opponent's Pokemon and take all six of your Prize cards before they do the same to you.

To start a game, each player shuffles their deck, draws seven cards, and places a Basic Pokemon face-down as their Active Pokemon. Up to five additional Basic Pokemon can be placed on the Bench. Each player then sets aside six cards face-down as Prize cards — you draw one each time you knock out an opposing Pokemon.

A turn follows a specific order: draw a card, then take any number of actions in any order (play Basic Pokemon to your Bench, attach one Energy card, evolve Pokemon, play Trainer cards, retreat your Active Pokemon, use Abilities), and finally attack. After attacking, your turn ends and your opponent begins theirs.

Pokemon cards are the core of the game. Each Pokemon has HP (Hit Points), one or more attacks with Energy costs, a Weakness, and sometimes a Resistance and Retreat Cost. When a Pokemon takes damage equal to or greater than its HP, it is Knocked Out and sent to the discard pile along with all cards attached to it.

Trainer cards provide powerful effects and come in three types: Items can be played any number of times per turn, Supporters are limited to one per turn, and Stadium cards stay in play and affect both players. Building a balanced mix of Pokemon, Trainers, and Energy is key to success.

There are three ways to win: take all six Prize cards by knocking out opposing Pokemon, knock out your opponent's last Pokemon in play (so they have no Active or Benched Pokemon), or your opponent cannot draw a card at the start of their turn because their deck is empty.