Trainer card (TCG)
From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.
A trainer card is one of the three types of card found in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the other two being Pokémon and Energy cards.
Trainer cards are generally considered useful, and in some cases life-saving, in a game. This is because each one has its own use, and can help get a player out of a sticky situation. There are many types of Trainer cards, with many varying uses.
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Types of Trainer cards
Though at first cards were only released as "Trainer" cards, which usually featured a class of Pokémon trainer (such as Lass) or an item used in the games (such as Poké Ball), later expansions introduced more variety to this type of card.
Trainer cards
These cards are the most basic type of Trainer card, having an effect and then being discarded. They were introduced in the Base Set.
Stadium cards
- Main article: Stadium card
When these cards are played, they remain in play until another Stadium card is played, and affect the field of play. They were introduced in the Gym Heroes set.
Pokémon tools
These cards are attached to a Pokémon card, much like held items in the main series. Their text usually includes a condition under which they take effect, after which they are discarded. Like held items, only one can be attached at a time.
Supporter cards
- Main article: Supporter card
Only one of these cards can be played per turn. When they are played, they must remain next to the Active Pokémon of the player which played the Supporter until that player's turn ends. These are similar to many of the standard Trainer cards introduced in earlier sets, and in fact carry a similar rule to that of Professor Elm of the Neo Genesis set.
Technical machine cards
Like Pokémon tools, these cards are attached to a Pokémon card; however, they must be discarded at the end of the turn during which they're attached. While attached to a Pokémon, they grant that Pokémon an extra attack in addition to the ones it has already, as a TM from the main series would, and it can use this attack as it would any other. The TM card usually specifies a certain group of Pokémon it can be attached to, such as those of a specific type, those that are evolved, or those that have a specific trainer in their name.
