View source for Marker (TCG)

{{move|Counter (TCG)}}
[[File:Damage Counters.jpg|thumb|right|A sheet included in {{TCG|Black & White}} {{TCG|Theme deck}}s, with fourteen 10-damage counters, two 50-damage counters, a Burn marker, and a Poison marker.]]

'''Counters''' and '''Markers''' are objects that [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] games use to indicate certain elements of the game state, easing the need for players to track the events of prior actions. They are obtainable via official merchandise, with in many introductory products being punched out of a '''damage counter sheet'''.

One could, however, use anything to represent a marker, should all players agree to that. The rules for the {{TCG|Raid Battle|Pokémon Trading Card Game Raid Battle}} offer using sticky notes, dice, paper, and coins.<ref>[https://tcg.pokemon.com/assets/img/raid-battles/downloads/en-us/pokemon-tcg-raid-battle-instruction-sheet.pdf RUNNING A RAID BATTLE AT HOME OR ONLINE], [[Pokémon.com]]</ref> In particular, six-sided dice have gained favor in the western Pokémon community, and '''damage counter dice''' can be found in certain products aimed at more competitive players like in {{TCG|League Battle Deck}}s and {{TCG|Elite Trainer Box}}es.

==Design==
[[File:Blue GX Marker.jpg|thumb|150px|right|A GX marker]]
Markers included as part of introductory products are cardboard punch out counters, to be removed from their sheet before use. Other products provide markers made from plastic, acrylic, or metal instead.

The fronts of markers have designs indicating their use; Damage counters have numbers to show the amount of damage they represent, {{TCG|Poison}} markers from before {{TCG|Sword & Shield}} had skulls, while {{TCG|Burn}} markers from the same time period used a band-aid image.

The same type of marker may have a different design and color over their releases. One example is the GX marker, which was initially released in blue, but has an alternate red version released after {{TCG|Ultra Prism}} as a motif to {{TCG|Ultra Beast}}s, and a black and yellow design after {{TCG|Team Up}} to incorporate the {{TCG|TAG TEAM}} logo. The Poison and Burn markers also received a redesign after the Sword & Shield Series.

The backs of markers usually contain copyright information for the [[Pokémon]] brand.

==Types of markers==
===Damage counters===
Traditionally, '''damage counters''' are circular and have warm colors. Their printed numbers represent the amount of damage applied to a Pokémon, usually 10/50/100 damage. [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Raid Battle]]'s downloadable materials include square damage counters representing up to 1000 damage, the highest amount of damage a single officially released damage counter can represent.

Damage counters used to be considered a kind of counter with special rules separating them from other similar objects, persisting when a Pokémon evolves, devolves, or Levels Up. The entire entry on counters, which included the statement considering damage counters as a kind of counter, stopped being included in the TCG rulebooks between {{TCG|BREAKthrough}} and {{TCG|Steam Siege}}.

Such counters are frequently referenced by effects in the game, usually to put them on a Pokémon or move them from one Pokémon to another. (Healing used to be worded as removing damage counters, but this was changed to "heal" in regards to the damage they have taken in {{TCG|Black & White}}). These effects all exclusively mean the standard 10-damage counter and changes the amount of damage the Pokémon involved have taken, increasing it when a damage counter is put onto a Pokémon and decreasing it from Pokémon that have damage counters moved from them. Placing damage counters is considered an effect and not damage dealt to that Pokémon.

When using dice to track damage, the faces seen from above will be the used tracker. While official products have the displayed number of intended damage in each face, damage is counted from regular dice by multiplying the pips on the corresponding faces by 10. Damage counter dice can be found in certain products, such as {{TCG|League Battle Deck}}s and {{TCG|Elite Trainer Box}}es. Such products have three dice with sides ranging from 10 to 60, two with sides from 70 to 120, and one with sides from 130 to 180.

===Special Condition markers===
A '''Special Condition marker'''<ref>[https://www.pokemon.com/static-assets/content-assets/cms2/pdf/play-pokemon/rules/play-pokemon-tournament-rules-handbook-05152024-en.pdf Play! Pokémon Tournament Rules Handbook], [[Pokémon.com]], May 15, 2024</ref> is used to track if a Pokémon has a {{TCG|Special Condition}}. A '''Burn marker''' indicates that a Pokémon is {{TCG|Burned}}, and a '''Poison marker''' indicates that a Pokémon is {{TCG|Poisoned}}. As such, the same Pokémon can have both markers.

===GX and VSTAR markers===
A '''GX marker''' (also called '''TAG TEAM GX marker'''<ref>[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/product-gallery/sun-moon-team-up-elite-trainer-box Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon—Team Up Elite Trainer Box]</ref> in releases after {{TCG|Team Up}}) is flipped to its reverse side when the player uses a {{GX}} [[Pokémon-GX|attack]], indicating that they can no longer use GX attacks that game. '''VSTAR markers''' are identical, but indicate the use of a {{VSTAR}} [[Pokémon V#Pokémon VSTAR|Power]].

===Other===
Some cards make use of counters and markers for effects that are not Special Conditions. These effects have a unique property of not being removed when a Pokémon moves to the [[Bench]], but can be still removed by other means, including [[Evolution]] and {{TCG ID|EX Dragon Frontiers|Tropius δ|23}}'s {{TCG|Poké-Power}} that specifically removes markers. Many markers are simply used as a reference to determine the effects of attacks, but some markers have effects inherit to them:

* The '''Curse marker''', used by [[CoroCoro]] [[Unnumbered Promotional cards (TCG)|promo]] {{TCG ID|CoroCoro|Jynx|promo}}, makes the {{TCG|Weakness}} of the marked Pokémon ×4.
* The '''Sludge marker''', used by {{TCG|Expansion Sheet 2}} {{TCG ID|Vending|Grimer|S2}}, increases the {{TCG|Retreat Cost}} of the marked Pokémon by 1 {{e|Colorless}}.
* The '''Char counter''', used by {{TCG|Neo Genesis}} {{TCG ID|Neo Genesis|Quilava|47}}, places 2 damage counters on the marked Pokémon if its owner [[Coin (TCG)#Gameplay|flips]] tails during {{TCG|Pokémon Checkup}}.
* The '''Coloring counter''', used by Fan Club promo {{TCG ID|Fan Club|Porygon|promo}} and {{TCG|Wizards Black Star Promo}} {{TCG ID|Wizards Promo|Smeargle|32}}, changes the {{TCG|type}} of the marked Pokémon to the user's choice.
* The '''Imprison marker''', used by {{TCG|Dragon Frontiers}} {{TCG ID|EX Dragon Frontiers|Gardevoir ex δ|93}}, disables the [[Pokémon Power (TCG)|Poké-Powers and Poké-Bodies]] of the marked Pokémon.

{{TCG ID|CoroCoro|Cubone|promo}} and {{TCG ID|Vending|Marowak|S2}}'s '''Bone counter''', {{TCG ID|Nintendo 64|Hungry Snorlax|promo}}'s '''Food counter''', {{TCG ID|Wizards Promo|Electabuzz|46}}'s '''Lightning Rod marker''', and {{TCG ID|EX Dragon Frontiers|Tyranitar ex δ|99}}'s '''Shock-wave marker''' have no effect other than resolving other attacks. {{TCG ID|Best of Game|Dark Ivysaur|6}} uses unnamed markers as part of its ''Fury Strikes'' attack.

{{cardlist/header|Cards with special counters and markers|Colorless|char=yes}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Nintendo 64|Hungry Snorlax|promo}}|type=Colorless|jpset=Unnumbered Promotional cards}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|CoroCoro|Jynx|promo}}|type=Psychic|jpset=Unnumbered Promotional cards}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|CoroCoro|Cubone|promo}}|type=Fighting|jpset=Unnumbered Promotional cards}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Vending|Grimer|S2}}|type=Grass|jpset=Expansion Sheet 2|jprarity=Common}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Wizards Promo|Electabuzz|46}}|type=Lightning|enset=Wizards Black Star Promos|ennum=46|jpset=Expansion Sheet 2|jprarity=Common}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Vending|Marowak|S2}}|type=Fighting|jpset=Expansion Sheet 2|jprarity=Uncommon}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Neo Genesis|Quilava|47}}|type=Fire|enset=Neo Genesis|enrarity=Uncommon|ennum=47/111|jpset=Gold, Silver, to a New World...|jprarity=Uncommon}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Fan Club|Porygon|promo}}|type=Colorless|jpset=Unnumbered Promotional cards}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Wizards Promo|Smeargle|32}}|type=Colorless|enset=Wizards Black Star Promos|ennum=32|jpset=Unnumbered Promotional cards}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Best of Game|Dark Ivysaur|6}}|type=Grass|jpset=Unnumbered Promotional cards}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|EX Dragon Frontiers|Gardevoir ex δ|93}}|type=Fire|enset=EX Dragon Frontiers|enrarity=Rare Holo ex|ennum=93/101|jpset=Imprison! Gardevoir ex Constructed Standard Deck|jpcardno=005/024}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|EX Dragon Frontiers|Tyranitar ex δ|99}}|type=Lightning|enset=EX Dragon Frontiers|enrarity=Rare Holo ex|ennum=99/101|jpset=Shockwave! Tyranitar ex Constructed Standard Deck|jpcardno=004/024}}
{{cardlist/footer|Colorless}}

A '''[[Leek]] counter''' was included with CoroCoro promo {{TCG ID|CoroCoro|Farfetch'd|promo}} to signify if its once-per-game ''Leek Slap'' attack had been used, similar to GX and VSTAR markers.

The '''Ditto Marker''', used in the {{TCG|Pack Battle}} and {{TCG|Ditto Draft format|Ditto Draft}} alternate formats, is the only marker whose use is not called for by a card. Rather, it is placed as part the '''Ditto Draft rule''' or '''Ditto Evolution rule''' of those formats that allow players to put a Ditto Marker on one of their Pokémon once per turn.

==Release information==
Most counters and markers have official versions made by [[The Pokémon Company]]. Damage counters and Special Conditions markers all see regular releases in products. GX markers were included as part of products released as part of the {{TCG|Sun & Moon Series}} to go with the {{TCG|Pokémon-GX}} and their GX attacks. VSTAR markers were included in products and as cards of some [[booster pack]]s (in the place of the usual {{TCG|Energy card}} slot) released in the {{TCG|Sword & Shield Series}}, following the introduction of {{TCG|Pokémon VSTAR}} and their VSTAR Powers in {{TCG|Brilliant Stars}}. Even some of the ones used by specific cards have seen print:
*Food counters were released as part of the Nintendo 64 Double Get Campaign, which occurred in Japan in certain stores from December 10, 1997 to January 31, 1998. For buying an [[Nintendo 64]], customers also got a booklet which had {{TCG ID|Nintendo 64|Cool Porygon|promo}}, {{TCG ID|Nintendo 64|Hungry Snorlax|promo}}, and two Food counters for Hungry Snorlax.
*Shock-wave markers and Imprison markers were printed in the {{TCG|Theme Deck}}s for {{TCG|EX Dragon Frontiers}}: {{TCG|Shadow Blaze}} and {{TCG|Power Wave}}.<ref name="Compendium EX">[https://compendium.pokegym.net/compendium-ex.html Compendium EX]</ref> They replaced the Burn and Poison markers in those products.<ref name="Compendium EX" />

However, some markers have never received an official release. Players are required to be creative in determining how they should represent such a marker in a game. Some markers do have official artwork depicting them, such as the Ditto Marker.

==In the video games==
===Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!===
{{TCG ID|Nintendo 64|Hungry Snorlax|promo}} and {{TCG ID|Best of Game|Dark Ivysaur|6}} are the only cards that utilize special markers to appear in [[Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!]], with the others being deliberately excluded.
===Pokémon Trading Card Game Online and Pokémon Trading Card Game Live===
As digital games, the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]] and later [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Live]] display a single damage counter on each Pokémon to represent the sum of the damage it has taken so far. In TCG Live, choices to damage or place damage counters on Pokémon are also represented by draggable damage counters; For example, {{TCG ID|Astral Radiance|Radiant Greninja|46}}'s ''Moonlight Shuriken'' has the player place two damage counters representing 90 damage to the opposing Pokémon.

When Burn and Poison deal more damage than usual, a number displayed in their markers shows how many damage counters the Special Condition will put on the Pokémon during [[Pokémon Checkup]].

In Pokémon TCG Online, the GX and VSTAR markers were present on the game's board and, when used, dramatically flipped to their reverse side. The GX marker's design was changed accordingly to each newly released physical marker.

In Pokémon TCG Live, the GX and VSTAR markers are instead incorporated into the game interface on the right of the screen, along with both player's timers and remaining Prize cards. The GX symbol is not displayed in formats without cards with GX attacks. After using a GX attack or VSTAR Power, they glow blue or yellow respectively and then are crossed out for the remainder of the game.

==References==
<references/>

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{{DoubleProjectTag|TCG|Merchandise|the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] merchandise.}}

[[Category:Pokémon Trading Card Game mechanics]]