Do you want to start playing Pokémon cards but are unsure how it works in practice? The Pokémon Trading Card Game is easy to get started with and quickly gives you an understanding of how matches are played. In this guide, we go through everything you need to know to play your first match.
How do you play the Pokémon TCG?
The Pokémon TCG is played between two players where the goal is to take all your Prize Cards by knocking out your opponent's Pokémon. You build a deck of 60 cards, play Pokémon, attach energy, and use Trainer cards to gain advantages. The first person to take all their Prize Cards or leave the opponent without Pokémon wins.
What is the Pokémon TCG?
The Pokémon TCG is a strategic card game where you build a deck of 60 cards. You play Pokémon, use Trainer cards to gain advantages, and attach energy cards to be able to attack. The game is easy to understand at its core but offers great depth once you start developing your strategy.
How do you win?
There are three ways to win a match:
- Take all 6 Prize Cards by knocking out your opponent's Pokémon
- Leave your opponent without any Pokémon to play
- Your opponent cannot draw a card at the beginning of their turn
The deck and card types
A deck contains exactly 60 cards and a maximum of four cards with the same name, with the exception of Basic Energy and cards that explicitly allow otherwise. You must have at least one Basic Pokémon.
- Pokémon cards are used to attack and evolve
- Trainer cards help you control the game
- Energy cards are required to perform attacks
The game board
- Active Pokémon is your active Pokémon
- Bench contains up to five Pokémon in reserve
- Deck is your draw pile
- Discard Pile is for used cards
- Prize Cards are the cards you take when you knock out a Pokémon
How to start the game
- Shuffle your deck
- Determine who goes first
- Draw seven cards
- Place one Basic Pokémon as Active
- Place up to five Pokémon on the Bench
- Lay out six Prize Cards
- Flip the cards and start playing
If you do not have a Basic Pokémon in your starting hand, you must shuffle and draw new cards. The opponent may choose to draw an extra card for each such mulligan, according to the rulebook's starting procedure.
What do you do during your turn?
Each turn begins with you drawing a card. After that, you can do several things in any order:
- Play Pokémon to the Bench
- Evolve Pokémon
- Attach an energy card
- Play Trainer cards
- Switch your active Pokémon
- Use abilities
- Attack and end the turn
The player who goes first cannot attack or play a Supporter card during their first turn.
Limitations during your turn
You may normally attach one energy card from your hand, play one Supporter card, and make one retreat per turn. Retreating requires paying the retreat cost. Card effects may provide other opportunities. You normally cannot evolve a Pokémon on your first turn or the same turn it came into play.
A finished 60-card deck is easier for a first match than random booster packs. An ETB does not normally contain a finished, playable deck.
Attacks and damage
To attack, your Pokémon must have the correct energy. When a Pokémon takes enough damage, it is knocked out and sent to the discard pile. You normally take one Prize Card when you knock out an opponent's Pokémon. Pokémon ex usually provide two; always read the card's rule box.
Some Pokémon are weak to specific types, causing them to take more damage. Others have resistance, which reduces damage taken.
Special Conditions
Status conditions affect the game and can change the tempo of a match:
- Asleep: The Pokémon cannot attack
- Burned: Deals damage between turns
- Confused: Can cause your attack to fail
- Paralyzed: Stops both attacking and retreating
- Poisoned: Deals continuous damage
Status conditions are removed when you switch or evolve your Pokémon.
Tips for beginners
- Plan how you use energy early in the match
- Use Trainer cards to get the right cards at the right time
- Don't play more Pokémon than you need
- Keep track of your Prize Cards
- Protect your cards with sleeves and storage
Get started right away
If you want to start playing or build your first deck, you can find everything you need here:
Summary
The Pokémon TCG is an accessible card game that quickly becomes more strategic the more you play. With the right start and a basic understanding, you can start playing immediately and improve over time.
Explore the selection at Hobbykort.se and build your first deck today.
Want to start digitally?
Pokémon TCG Pocket has a separate, simplified match system and its own digital collection. It can be a gateway to the card designs, but the rules are not the same as for physical Pokémon cards.
FAQ – Pokémon TCG rules
How many cards are in a Pokémon TCG deck?
A deck contains exactly 60 cards.
Can you attack on the first turn?
No, the player who goes first cannot attack on the first turn.
How many energy cards can you attach per turn?
Normally one energy card per turn.
How do you win in the Pokémon TCG?
You win by taking all your Prize Cards, leaving the opponent without any Pokémon, or if they cannot draw a card.
What is a mulligan?
If you lack a Basic Pokémon in your starting hand, you must draw new cards and the opponent may choose to draw an extra card according to the mulligan rules.
Check for exceptions in Pokémon's official rulebook. For collecting: start collecting Pokémon cards.