{"id":115155,"date":"2018-12-27T05:19:55","date_gmt":"2018-12-27T04:19:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=115155"},"modified":"2025-07-01T22:36:24","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T05:36:24","slug":"pokemon-trading-card-game-guide-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/pokemon-trading-card-game-guide-strategy\/","title":{"rendered":"How to play Pok\u00e9mon TCG, the Ultimate Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Pok\u00e9mon franchise has been entertaining audiences since February 1996. Since the release of the original Nintendo games, there have been animated series, animated and live-action movies, mobile games, and even a popular Pok\u00e9mon card game<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collecting and trading Pok\u00e9mon cards is an exciting hobby for many, but the real thrill comes from using your collected cards in a Pok\u00e9mon card battle<\/a>. If you\u2019ve ever wondered how the card version of the game works, this Pok\u00e9mon TCG guide <\/strong>will provide you with all the answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are Pok\u00e9mon Cards?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Pok\u00e9mon Trading Card Game (or Pok\u00e9mon TCG) is a card game<\/strong> based on the popular Pok\u00e9mon franchise. Each card features a different Pok\u00e9mon and their other stats such as health, attack power, etc. You can collect, trade or even battle with your cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the top of the card, you will find the Pok\u00e9mon\u2019s name. To the left of the name, you\u2019ll see a rectangle that states if the Pok\u00e9mon is \u2018Basic\u2019 or an evolved form of the Pok\u00e9mon<\/strong> (Stage one or two, etc.). To the top right, you\u2019ll see how much HP (health points) your Pok\u00e9mon has. To the right of your Pok\u00e9mon\u2019s HP is a circle indicating the type, i.e. electricity, water, grass etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below the Pok\u00e9mon image, you\u2019ll find a list of the Pok\u00e9mon\u2019s attacks<\/strong> and how much damage each attack does. To the left of each attack, you\u2019ll see the energy cost for that attack. You\u2019ll need to equip your Pok\u00e9mon with the required energy cards to use the attack. Some attacks have additional effects. Make sure to follow the instructions under the attack to see the other effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"pokemon<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

FAQ About Pok\u00e9mon Cards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although the Pok\u00e9mon TCG is easy enough to understand<\/strong> and start playing, players always have a few additional questions. This next section will provide answers to a few of the most commonly asked questions about the Pok\u00e9mon TCG.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Many Pok\u00e9mon Cards Are in a Pack?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A Pok\u00e9mon Booster pack contains ten cards<\/strong>. Of these cards, six will be common cards, three will be uncommon, and one will be rare. Along with these ten cards, you\u2019ll also get one foil card, with the possibility of it being a rare foil card. The packs are completely randomized, so there is no knowing what you will find in a pack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Do Pok\u00e9mon Code Cards Do?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every Pok\u00e9mon TCG product you buy, whether a booster pack or starter set<\/strong>, should have a code. This code can be used to unlock in-game items on the Pok\u00e9mon TCG Online version. By entering the code in the online game, you will get digital cards from your booster packs and even promo cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Win the Pok\u00e9mon TCG?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are a few ways to win at Pok\u00e9mon TCG. The easiest way is to knock out all six<\/strong> of your opponent\u2019s Pok\u00e9mon and collect the prize cards you set aside at the beginning of the match. Once you\u2019ve picked up the sixth card, you win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another way to claim victory is by knocking out your opponent\u2019s active Pok\u00e9mon<\/strong>, and if there are no more active Pok\u00e9mon on his bench, you\u2019ll win. Finally, if your opponent runs out of cards and has no more in their deck, you\u2019ll win by \u2018decking\u2019 your opponent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is There a Pok\u00e9mon TCG App?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is a new free-to-play app<\/strong> available that lets trainers take the POkemon TCG online. With the app, you can enjoy all your favorite aspects of the card game, such as collecting cards, building decks, and battling. The Pok\u00e9mon TCG Live app is available on PCs, Mac\u2019s and smart devices such as tablets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Pok\u00e9mon Card Should I Buy?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When buying booster packs<\/strong>, you end up with ten random cards. However, now and again, you may stumble upon Pok\u00e9mon cards that are for sale. You should try buying the rare cards or ones that you don\u2019t have in your deck when this happens. Make sure you consider the energy types you have since it\u2019s no use buying a card with a Pok\u00e9mon you have no energy for. Some of the most valuable Pok\u00e9mon cards to buy include Shaymin EX, Surfing Pikachu, Charizard GX, or Lysandre\u2019s Trump card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Trade Pok\u00e9mon Cards?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Trading Pok\u00e9mon cards is an exciting part of the game<\/strong>. However, it is important to know how to trade Pok\u00e9mon cards to ensure that you get a fair trade and don\u2019t end up with cards less than the value of the one you traded. In order to do this, make sure that you research trades and the value of cards beforehand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knowing the value of your cards is the best way to ensure that you end up with fair trade. To trade cards, you and the other trainer have to come to an agreement<\/strong> on which cards you are willing to trade, and if both parties feel it\u2019s fair, you can make the trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Play Pok\u00e9mon Cards? Beginner\u2019s Guide to the Pok\u00e9mon TCG<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a few rules and steps that you need to be aware of if you\u2019re starting to play Pok\u00e9mon TCG. We will be sharing a few tips on how to play Pok\u00e9mon cards for beginners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basic rules<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Pokemon<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The main objective in the Pok\u00e9mon TCG is to take all of your prize cards<\/strong> before your opponent does. Every time you defeat an enemy Pok\u00e9mon you\u2019ll receive one of your six prize cards. Additionally, you win if your opponent has no Pok\u00e9mon on the field, or runs out of cards in their deck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each deck is comprised of 60 cards<\/strong>. The game begins by drawing seven cards and tossing a coin to see who goes first. You must place at least one active Pok\u00e9mon onto the field before starting the game (you can also place any other basic Pok\u00e9mon from your hand onto your bench, with a maximum of one active, and five bench Pok\u00e9mon). Pok\u00e9mon require energy cards (typically of their specific type) to use their moves. The moves themselves are self-explanatory, as they contain their own unique details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trainer cards can also be used by each player for a variety of effects. There are four main types of Trainer cards: Stadiums, Tools, Supporters, and Items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pokemon<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Stadiums<\/strong> are cards that affect both sides of the field, and only one can be in play at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pokemon<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tools<\/strong> attach themselves to a specific Pok\u00e9mon, and only affect that Pok\u00e9mon for the entire time that they are attached. They are also occasionally listed under Item cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pokemon<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Supporters<\/strong> are special Trainer cards with extremely powerful abilities. As such, only one can be used per turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pokemon<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Items<\/strong> are standard Trainer cards, which allows you to use as many of them as you want in a turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, only one energy card can be played per turn (unless a card says otherwise), a Pok\u00e9mon can only evolve once per turn, and the player who goes first is not allowed to attack on their beginning turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more details on the rules, you can check out Pok\u00e9mon.com\u2019s guidelines <\/a>for the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to set up: Building your deck<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As a rule of thumb, each deck <\/strong>should have around 20 Pok\u00e9mon cards, 20 trainer cards, and 20 energy cards. Of course, you can bend these a little bit, but it should always be around those amounts. Additionally, you should avoid having any more than two types of Pok\u00e9mon in one deck (other than colorless).<\/p>\n\n\n

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5 reasons to come back to Pok\u00e9mon Go<\/p>\r\n Read Now \u25ba<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Special Conditions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Within the TCG, there are five different conditions that Pok\u00e9mon can be affected by. These are all negative effects caused by the moves or abilities of opponents. Burned and Poisoned are stackable conditions, so a Pok\u00e9mon can be affected by both, along with one of the other three conditions. However, all three of the other conditions (Asleep, Confused, and Paralyzed) are mutually exclusive, so a Pok\u00e9mon can only be affected one at a time. Here is how each special condition works:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pokemon<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Burned<\/strong> – As stated above, this is one of the two special conditions that is not mutually exclusive with the rest. To represent being Burned, Pok\u00e9mon with this special condition receive a \u201cburn marker\u201d, which is a large red circle. While Burned, a Pok\u00e9mon receives two counters of damage between turns. After receiving the damage, the player then flips a coin. If heads, the Burned condition is cured. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If tails the Burned condition remains. In older versions of the TCG, Burned Pok\u00e9mon would only receive the damage if the coin flip was tails, but would not be cured if the coin flip was heads (instead they would simply retain the special condition but with no damage taken).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pokemon<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Poisoned<\/strong> – A very common special condition, Poisoned Pok\u00e9mon also receive a special counter. This \u201cpoison marker\u201d is a large green circle. Poisoned Pok\u00e9mon receive one damage counter between each turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asleep<\/strong> – Pok\u00e9mon that are Asleep are turned counterclockwise to the side. When affected by this special condition, they basically can\u2019t do anything. They are unable to attack or retreat. Between each turn, the player flips a coin. If heads, the Asleep Pok\u00e9mon wakes up and is no longer affected by the special condition. If tails, the Pok\u00e9mon remains Asleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Confused<\/strong> – Confused Pok\u00e9mon are placed upside-down. These Pok\u00e9mon have to flip a coin if they want to attack. If heads, they are able to attack normally. If tails, they receive three damage counters, and the player\u2019s turn ends. In older versions of the TCG, Confused Pok\u00e9mon would only receive two damage counters on failed coin flips. Additionally, they had to flip a coin in order to retreat, and would lose their energy cards if they were unsuccessful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paralyzed<\/strong> – Paralyzed Pok\u00e9mon are turned to the side, clockwise. Similar to being Asleep, a Paralyzed Pok\u00e9mon is unable to attack or retreat. However, after the end of the player\u2019s turn, the condition is automatically cured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is interesting to note that in addition to moves that would typically Paralyze a Pok\u00e9mon in the video games, such as an Electric move, will cause this special condition, moves that would other Freeze a Pok\u00e9mon in the video games will also often cause this condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are other unique abilities that can affect a Pok\u00e9mon\u2019s stats or moves, however, they are not given unique counters or placements. Instead, you will just need to follow the directions of the card that inflicts the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, all conditions can be removed through evolution or retreated an active Pok\u00e9mon to the bench (since only active Pok\u00e9mon can be affected by special conditions).<\/p>\n\n\n

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A beginner\u2019s guide to Pok\u00e9mon Quest<\/p>\r\n Get started \u25ba<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The video games vs the TCG<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re used to playing Pok\u00e9mon games or watching anime, then you may be confused about some of the terminology used within the card game. The main difference in terminology is the type names. Many of the types have been merged into different types, while others have been renamed altogether. Below is a list of the TCG types and their corresponding video game types:<\/p>\n\n\n\n