Pokémon Trading Card Game: Difference between revisions

This article is about the Trading Card Game itself. For the Game Boy game related to this game, see Pokémon Trading Card Game (game).

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The Pokémon Trading Card Game (Japanese: ポケモンカードゲーム, Pokémon Card Game), often abbreviated as Pokémon TCG or just TCG, is a tabletop game that involves collecting, trading and playing with Pokémon themed playing cards. It has its own set of rules but uses many motifs and ideas derived from the video games. There are Pokémon cards for every species of Pokémon, as well as Trainer cards featuring characters, items and other themes of the franchise (each with a different use) and Energy cards to power various actions. The artwork for the cards is provided by numerous artists.

The Pokémon TCG is a popular and steady aspect of the Pokémon franchise and is played and enjoyed by many fans. Nearly 15 billion Pokémon Trading Card Game cards have been produced worldwide. The game is part of the Play! Pokémon organized play along with the video game series and is also used in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online.

History

Original back of Japanese cards

The Pokémon Trading Card Game was originally published in Japan in 1996 by Media Factory. While other Pokémon card series existed in the past, this was the first card game based on the Pokémon series. The first Pokémon TCG sets took inspiration from the then released Pokémon Red, Green, and Blue video games and initially featured illustrations by Ken Sugimori, Mitsuhiro Arita and Keiji Kinebuchi. Soon new expansions began to release with many new artists contributing artwork. Three years later in 1999, Pokémon TCG was introduced in North America by Wizards of the Coast with the Base Set, and worldwide soon after. In 2003, Wizards of the Coast's license was transferred to the The Pokémon Company International by Nintendo.

New features constantly appear in the Pokémon TCG. With the release of Pokémon Gold and Silver video games, the Neo Series (the second series of expansions), started bringing several new Pokémon into play. The Metal and Darkness types of Pokémon cards were also introduced, along with Light Pokémon and Dark Pokémon. These were eventually discontinued to prevent confusion with the Darkness type, but returned briefly with the release of the Neo Destiny expansion. The e-Card Series used Game Boy Advance add-on e-Reader to display Pokédex data about the Pokémon, play a minigame, play various tunes in a Melody Box, or activate a special attack for that Pokémon. The EX Series was released next (the first series released by The Pokémon Company International instead of Wizards of the Coast), introducing the stronger Pokémon-ex into the game. The Diamond & Pearl Series brought Pokémon LV.X, which were stronger, "Leveled-up" versions of final evolutions. Pokémon LV.X essentially replaced Pokémon-ex and continued until the Platinum: Arceus expansion. The HeartGold & SoulSilver Series featured two more types of card, Pokémon LEGEND, two-part cards with one Pokémon on each card, and Pokémon Prime, Pokémon with powerful and/or tactical attacks. With the release of the Black & White expansion, Poké-Powers (Poké-POWERs and Poké-BODYs) were combined into one mechanic and renamed Abilities. Pokémon-ex returned as Pokémon-EX in the Black & White Series starting with the Next Destinies expansion. The Dragon Pokémon type was introduced in the Dragon Vault expansion of the Black & White Series. M Pokémon-EX were introduced in XY expansion and introduce the Mega Evolution mechanic featured in the Pokémon X and Y video games to the TCG. The XY Series also introduced the Fairy type Pokémon.

With the release of the EX Series worldwide, Pokémon TCG started publishing directly under Nintendo via its whole owned subsidiary The Pokémon Company International, instead of Wizards of the Coast. In 2006, The Pokémon Company replaced Media Factory in distributing the cards in Japan starting with the Diamond & Pearl Series.

Two Game Boy Color video games based on the card game were created: Pokémon Trading Card Game was released in 1998 and worldwide in 2000, and its sequel, Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!, was released three years later. Pokémon Card Game: How to Play DS was released in Japan in 2011 and taught players how to play the Pokémon TCG. In 2011, the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online was introduced as a browser-based game but later became a downloadable game for PC, Mac, and iPad. Other media related to Pokémon TCG include several manga titles, such as the series How I Became a Pokémon Card.

How to play

Back of an English language card

See the Appendix:Glossary for a definition of most the Pokémon Trading Card Game terms.

Also see the Step-by-step Web Browser TCG Tutorials on Pokémon.com for a visual introduction to the card game.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game is a two player game for all ages. Each player builds a Deck of sixty (60) cards using a combination of various "Pokémon cards" (the main type of cards used to battle), "Trainer cards" (cards with special effects), and "Energy cards" (cards that are required to perform most "Attacks"). New cards and decks are constantly being released, and players may purchase "Booster packs" to integrate these cards into their own decks or purchase pre-made "Trainer kits" or "Theme Decks" that already have all the cards needed to play. The Pokémon Trading Card Game officially requires a deck of 60 cards for Standard or Expanded play, though shorter Matches can be held with "Half Decks" consisting of 30 cards instead. During a 60 card match, only four of any one card, excluding Basic Energy cards, are allowed in each deck. This is further limited to two of any one card in a Half Deck match. Many fans have also created their own game rules and playing methods and have websites devoted to providing alternative playing methods. These rules and methods are not allowed in Play! Pokémon competitions.

Who goes first?

A game of the Pokémon Trading Card Game is called a "Match". To begin a match, players need a Coin or a six-sided die (where the even number sides represent Heads and the odd number sides represent Tails). One player calls heads or tails, while the other player flips the coin or rolls the die. If the player calling the coin flip gets his choice (heads or tails), that player gets to choose which player goes first. If the player calling the coin flip does not get his choice, the player flipping the coin gets to choose which player goes first. The player who goes first is not allowed to Attack on that player's first turn.

Setup

After determining which player goes first, both players place their Shuffled deck face down on the upper right side of their respective half of the player area or "Field". The field is roughly split in half with each player utilizing the half closest to them. The players then each take seven cards from the top of their respective decks. These cards go into their "Hand". Players then place one Basic Pokémon from their hand face down in front of them toward the upper center of their half of the field as their "Active Pokémon". If they have more than one Basic Pokémon, they may place the rest face down directly in from of them in their "Bench". No more than five Pokémon may occupy a given player’s Bench at the same time. Evolved Pokémon count as only one Pokémon when in play on the field. If a player does not have any Basic Pokémon in their hand during setup, they must reshuffle all the cards in their hand back into their deck, and then draw seven more cards. Repeat this process until each player can play a Basic Pokémon as their Active Pokémon. If a player has to reshuffle to get a Basic Pokémon into play, that player’s opponent gets to take an extra card from the top of their deck and put it into their hand (one card per each reshuffle). Next, each player sets aside six cards from the top of their deck face down to the left side of their half of the field. These six cards are their "Prize cards". Finally, each player reveals (or flips over) their Active and Bench Pokémon.

Turns

A player’s turn consists of the following:

1. First, draw a card from the top of that player's deck;
2. Attach one Energy card to one of that player’s Pokémon in play (either Active or Bench Pokémon);
3. Play Basic Pokémon to that player's Bench,
4. Evolve any of that player's Pokémon in play;
5. Retreat that player's Active Pokémon if the Active Pokémon can satisfy the Energy card retreat cost;
6. Play any Trainer cards in that player's Hand pertaining to the rules on each Trainer card and then typically placing that Trainer card face up in the player’s "Discard Pile", which is locked on the right side of the player's field just below that player's deck;
7. Use any Abilities or Pokémon Powers that appear on that player's Active or Bench Pokémon, and
8. Finally, "Attack" if that player has the appropriate Energy card(s) attached on that player's Active Pokémon. Attacking always ends that player’s turn. The first player to have a turn is not allowed to attack, but all other actions are allowed as described above.

Other than the first and last actions, players may perform any action in any order. Players alternate turns until one player wins the game.

Damage

Pokémon Attacks typically cause Damage or apply a Special condition. Special conditions have their own unique rules. Damage to all Pokémon in play is tracked with Damage Counters or dice. When the damage to a given Pokémon equals or exceeds that Pokémon’s Hit Points, it is "Knocked Out" and placed face up in the player’s Discard Pile along with any other cards that were attached to it (such as Energy cards). When an Active Pokémon is knocked out, the player's whose Pokémon was knocked out must replace the former Active Pokémon with another Pokémon from that player's Bench. At the same time, the player who knocked out his or her opponent's Pokémon gets to take any one of that player's remaining face down Prize cards and put that prize card into that player's hand.

Winning a match

To win a match, players must:

1. Take their six prize cards by knocking out their opponent's Pokémon by using Attacks to reduce the opponent's HP to zero.
2. Players may also win when their opponent runs out of Pokémon on the field of play, which includes their Active Pokémon and Bench Pokémon, or
3. If their opponent cannot draw a card from their Deck at the beginning of their turn.

Card types

Wizards of the Coast sets

Generation I Original Series Base Set Jungle Fossil Base Set 2 Team Rocket Gym Heroes Gym Challenge Generation II Neo Series Neo Genesis Neo Discovery Neo Revelation Neo Destiny Legendary Collection Series Legendary Collection e-Card Series Expedition Base Set Aquapolis Skyridge

Wizards of the Coast were the western distributors of the game between 1999 and 2003 Promotional series Southern Islands Best of Game Cards Wizards Black Star Promos W Promotional cards Miscellaneous Promotional cards (TCG)/1999-2004 Unreleased sets Crosstrainer Unnamed Wizards Set Jamboree Legendary Collection 2

Nintendo sets

Generation III EX Series EX Ruby & Sapphire EX Sandstorm EX Dragon EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua EX Hidden Legends EX FireRed & LeafGreen EX Team Rocket Returns EX Deoxys EX Emerald EX Unseen Forces EX Delta Species EX Legend Maker EX Holon Phantoms EX Crystal Guardians EX Dragon Frontiers EX Power Keepers	Nintendo has since taken over the TCG from Wizards Generation IV Diamond & Pearl Series Diamond & Pearl Mysterious Treasures Secret Wonders Great Encounters Majestic Dawn Legends Awakened Stormfront Platinum Series Platinum Rising Rivals Supreme Victors Arceus HeartGold & SoulSilver Series HeartGold & SoulSilver Unleashed Undaunted Triumphant Call of Legends Series Call of Legends
Generation V Black & White Series Black & White Emerging Powers Noble Victories Next Destinies Dark Explorers Dragons Exalted Dragon Vault — mini set Boundaries Crossed Plasma Storm Plasma Freeze Plasma Blast Legendary Treasures	Generation VI XY Series Kalos Starter Set — minor expansion XY Flashfire Furious Fists Phantom Forces Primal Clash Double Crisis — mini set Roaring Skies
World Championships Decks 2004 World Championships 2005 World Championships 2006 World Championships 2007 World Championships 2008 World Championships 2009 World Championships 2010 World Championships 2011 World Championships 2012 World Championships 2013 World Championships	Promotional series Miscellaneous cards Miscellaneous Promotional cards (TCG)/2005-2010 Miscellaneous Promotional cards (TCG)/2011 Miscellaneous Promotional cards (TCG)/2012 Miscellaneous Promotional cards (TCG)/2013 Miscellaneous Promotional cards (TCG)/2014 Miscellaneous sets Poké Card Creator Pack — EX Series (non-tournament legal) Pokemon Rumble Pokémon Rumble — Platinum Series Winner cards Prerelease cards Jumbo cards — non-tournament legal POP Series POP Series 1 POP Series 2 POP Series 3 POP Series 4 POP Series 5 POP Series 6 POP Series 7 POP Series 8 POP Series 9 Black Star Promos Nintendo Black Star Promos DP Black Star Promos HGSS Black Star Promos BW Black Star Promos XY Black Star Promos McDonald's Collection McDonald's Collection 2011 McDonald's Collection 2012 McDonald's Collection 2013 — non-tournament legal McDonald's Collection 2014

Japanese sets

Generation I Original era Expansion Pack Pokémon Jungle Mystery of the Fossils Rocket Gang Leaders' Stadium Challenge from the Darkness Generation II Neo era Gold, Silver, to a New World... Crossing the Ruins... Awakening Legends Darkness, and to Light... e-Series Base Expansion Pack The Town on No Map Wind from the Sea Split Earth Mysterious Mountains Generation III ADV era ADV Expansion Pack Miracle of the Desert Rulers of the Heavens Magma VS Aqua: Two Ambitions Undone Seal PCG era Flight of Legends Clash of the Blue Sky Rocket Gang Strikes Back Golden Sky, Silvery Ocean Mirage Forest Holon Research Tower Holon Phantom Miracle Crystal Offense and Defense of the Furthest Ends

Back of the current Japanese language card, since 2002 Generation IV DP era Space-Time Creation Secret of the Lakes World Champions Pack Shining Darkness Cry from the Mysterious Temple of Anger Intense Fight in the Destroyed Sky DPt era Galactic's Conquest Bonds to the End of Time Beat of the Frontier Advent of Arceus LEGEND era HeartGold Collection SoulSilver Collection Reviving Legends Clash at the Summit Generation V BW era Black Collection White Collection Red Collection Psycho Drive Hail Blizzard Dark Rush Dragon Blast Dragon Blade File:SetSymbol FreezeBolt.png Freeze Bolt Cold Flare File:SetSymbol PlasmaGale.png Plasma Gale Spiral Force Thunder Knuckle Megalo Cannon EX Battle Boost Generation VI XY era Collection X Collection Y Wild Blaze Rising Fist Phantom Gate Gaia Volcano Tidal Storm File:SetSymbolDoubleCrisisJP.png Magma Gang vs Aqua Gang: Double Crisis — mini set Emerald Break

Exclusive sets VS era Pokémon VS — minor expansion Web era File:Web-Logo.png Pokémon Web — minor expansion DP era Moonlit Pursuit — minor expansion Dawn Dash — minor expansion LEGEND era Lost Link — mini set BW era File:MasterDeckBuildBoxEXSymbol.png Master Deck Build Box EX — mini set Shiny Collection — mini set

Promotional sets Original era Unnumbered Promotional cards Vending Machine cards - Extended Sheet 1 to 3 Southern Islands e-Card era P Promotional cards T Promotional cards J Promotional cards McDonald's Pokémon-e Minimum Pack ADV era ADV-P Promotional cards PLAY Promotional cards PCG era PCG-P Promotional cards PokéPark Blue PokéPark Forest DP era DP-P Promotional cards PPP Promotional cards File:SetSymbolM10.png 10th Movie Commemoration Set File:MoviePremiumSheet2008Symbol.png 11th Movie Commemoration Set DPt era DPt-P Promotional cards File:SetSymbolMelee Pokemon Scramble.png Melee! Pokémon Scramble File:MovieRandomPackSymbol.png Movie Commemoration Random Pack LEGEND era L-P Promotional cards World Collection - Pikachu World 2010 BW era BW-P Promotional cards Journey Partners XY era XY-P Promotional cards Miscellaneous Unreleased cards

See also

• Play! Pokémon Pokémon Organized Play
• Appendix:Glossary of TCG terms
• Category:Pokémon Trading Card Game for a categorized list of all articles related to the TCG
• Pokémon Trading Card Game Online

On Bulbagarden forums

• Pokémon Tabletop Games discussion forum

External links

• Pokémon.com The official United States Pokémon website
• Step-by-step Web Browser TCG Tutorials (on official website)
• Pokemontcg.com/forums/ Official English TCG Forums
• Pokémon-Card.com Official Japanese TCG Website (Japanese)
• The PokéGym
• PokéBeach
• Pokémon Marriland
• Offical United States pokemon tcg website

This article is part of Project TCG, a Bulbapedia project that aims to report on every aspect of the Pokémon Trading Card Game.