Getting Started with the Pokémon TCG Game
To start playing, each player needs a 60-card deck made of different types of Pokémon cards, a coin or dice for flips, damage counters, and a flat playing surface.
Setting Up the Playmat
Both players shuffle their decks, draw 7 cards, and place a Basic Pokémon in their Active spot. You can place up to 5 additional Basic Pokémon on your Bench. Then, draw 6 cards face down to act as your Prize Cards—you take one each time you knock out an opponent's Pokémon.
Turn Structure and Game Mechanics
During your turn, you can perform several actions in any order before attacking:
- Draw a card: You must do this at the start of your turn.
- Attach Energy: You can attach one Energy card per turn to one of your Pokémon.
- Play Trainers: You can play as many Item cards as you like, but only one Supporter and one Stadium per turn.
- Evolve: You can evolve a Pokémon if it has been in play for at least one full turn.
- Attack: This ends your turn. Your active Pokémon uses an attack and deals damage to the opponent's Active Pokémon.
Building a Deck from a Pokémon TCG Booster
While pre-built decks are great for beginners, true strategy comes from building your own. You can expand your deck with new booster packs to find powerful V, VMAX, or ex Pokémon that act as the centerpiece of your strategy. A balanced deck usually consists of around 15-20 Pokémon, 30-35 Trainers, and 10-15 Energy cards.
Winning the Pokémon TCG Card Game
There are three ways to win a game in the Pokémon TCG:
- Prize Cards: Take all 6 of your Prize Cards by knocking out your opponent's Pokémon.
- Bench Out: Knock out your opponent's Active Pokémon when they have no more Pokémon on their Bench to replace it.
- Deck Out: Your opponent runs out of cards in their deck and cannot draw a card at the beginning of their turn.