Pokémon Trading Card Game

About Pokémon Trading Card Game

Pokémon Trading Card Game blends deck building and creature battles. Players build a deck of sixty cards around a plan. Pokémon cards attack and evolve. Energy cards power those attacks. Trainer cards add support as items, helpers, and locations. The goal is to knock out opposing Pokémon and claim Prize cards before the other side.

A match starts with each player placing one Basic Pokémon in the active spot. Up to five others wait on the bench. Players draw a card at the start of each turn. They can attach one Energy to a Pokémon. Trainer cards deliver effects like healing, search, and disruption. Basics evolve into Stage 1 and Stage 2 forms and unlock new attacks. Some cards have Abilities for ongoing perks. A player wins by taking all Prize cards or by knocking out the last Pokémon in play. An opponent with no card to draw loses.

New sets arrive on a steady schedule and add mechanics and Pokémon from recent series. Cards come in distinct rarities and offer full art or special foil styles. Organized play uses two main formats. Standard includes recent sets. Expanded allows a deeper pool with older sets. Rotations keep power in check. Competitive decks target speed, resource tempo, and damage math. A single player video game from the late nineties taught the rules and offered duels against computer rivals. Modern digital versions support practice and collection management.