Pokémon LV.X (TCG)
From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.
Pokémon LV.X are a special kind of Pokémon found in the TCG. They first appeared in the Diamond & Pearl expansion.
Essentially replacing Pokémon-ex and Pokémon 
, Pokémon LV.X have similar attributes in appearance to their predecessors, with a holographic border like that of Pokémon-ex and character art that protrudes from the window, like that of Pokémon . They do, however, differ greatly in terms of gameplay:
- They are treated as a special type of Evolution card, in that it can’t be placed on top of a Pokémon that evolved on the same turn; but it is not considered an actual Evolution card, ruling out certain card effects (such as Professor Elm’s Training Method).
- When a Pokémon LV.X is played, it keeps all cards attached to the card below and any damage counters. Special Conditions are also removed, similar to any regular Evolution. Unlike Evolutions however, Pokémon LV.X also keep all attacks, Poké-Powers and Poké-Bodies from the earlier level.
- They share the same name as the Pokémon it is put on top of (e.g. only 4 Torterra are permitted per deck – one could have 2 Torterra and 2 Torterra LV.X, but not 4 of each). Similarly, if a card effect removes the highest Stage Evolution card from a Pokémon LV.X, both the earlier level Pokémon and Pokémon LV.X are removed.
- Pokémon LV.X can only be played onto an Active Pokémon.
In essence, they draw the best attributes from their predecessors (such as high HP's and strong attacks), without their major drawbacks (like the 2-Prize Card rule for Pokémon ex and 1-per Deck rule for Pokémon ), making them very playable.
