Trainer card (TCG)

A Trainer card is one of three types of card found in the Pokémon Trading Card Game alongside Pokémon cards and Energy cards. The Trainer is the main type of "Trainer" card and was introduced at the very start of the game in the Base Set. It was the only type of "Trainer" card until Supporter cards and Stadium cards were split into their own categories in Diamond & Pearl. Unlike these two, Trainer cards have subtypes, and thus have a wide range of effects.

Different Trainer cards have different effects and, as such, there are many different Trainer cards usable with many different effects. Trainer cards may be designed to help the user or hinder the opponent and are a key inclusion in any deck.

There are several different types of Trainer card, excluding Supporter cards and Stadium cards, which are part of their own categories.

Goldenrod Game Corner

In Neo Genesis, two cards were released based on the Goldenrod Game Corner found in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal.

Pokémon Tool

Pokémon Tool cards are similar to held items in the games as they are attached to a Pokémon in order to help or affect them somehow. Held items may prevent damage being done to them, may prevent the opponent from using effects such as Poké-Powers or Poké-Bodies, or may prevent them from inflicting Special Conditions on their opponent's Pokémon. There are many more types of effects from Pokémon Tools.

Rocket's Secret Machine

A selection of Trainer cards have been released in sets such as Team Rocket and EX Team Rocket Returns based on items used by Team Rocket. These are known as Rocket's Secret Machine cards. The first of these cards appeared in the first Team Rocket set and have also appeared in sets such as Gym Heroes and Neo Destiny, which included Rocket's Pokémon and Dark Pokémon respectively.

Technical Machine

Technical Machine cards play a similar role to those of Technical Machines in the games: attached to a Pokémon, they allow it to use the attack on the card instead of one of their own. However, upon attacking (regardless of whether or not it is with the card's attack), the Technical Machine must be discarded, similar to the way a TM can be used only once. This drawback does not apply to the Technical Machine cards released in Legends Awakened.

Trainer

The generic Trainer cards are the most basic type of Trainer cards, with generally simple effects. Trainer cards are discarded as soon as they have been used and there is no limit to the number of Trainer cards that can be played in one turn. Cards such as Poké Ball and Energy Search are regularly reprinted, and cards such as Rare Candy are staples in the majority of decks played in Organized Play.