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Pokémon Power (TCG)

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Pokémon Power redirects here. For the mini-magazines featured in Nintendo Power, see Pokémon Power (magazine).
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A Pokémon Power (Japanese: 特殊能力 special ability) is a special Ability held by some Pokémon in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Prior to the release of Expedition Base Set, Pokémon Powers were typically additional effects that the card's player could trigger once or multiple times during their turn, before they attack. However, some cards, such as Jungle Dodrio, had Pokémon Powers that the player did not have to trigger or announce. For example, as long as Dodrio was Benched, the player's Active Pokémon would have their retreat cost lowered by 1.

After the release of Expedition, Pokémon Powers were split into two groups: Poké-Powers (Japanese: ポケパワー Poké-Power) and Poké-Bodies (Japanese: ポケボディー Poké-Body). Poké-Powers are special effects that the player must trigger or announce using. A Poké-Body's effect is one that is in effect regardless. The player does not need to announce the use of a Poké-Body, since it is always active. In essence, a Poké-Power's effect is not always active, while a Poké-Body's effect is.

With the release of Black & White, Pokémon Powers were combined into one mechanic once again and renamed Abilities (Japanese: 特性 special characteristic), after the analogous element in the core series games.

With the release of Evolutions, a commemorative expansion created to celebrate the Pokémon's 20th Anniversary, a new card with a Pokémon Power was printed: Imakuni?'s Doduo. Similarly, two SWSH Black Star Promos, Greninja Star and Zacian LV.X, were released for Pokémon's 25th Anniversary and respectively featured a Poké-Power and Poké-Body. Outside reprints included in sets such as Celebrations and Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic, these are the only instances of the Pokémon Power mechanic since its replacement in Black & White.

List of Pokémon Powers

In the video games

"Pkmn Power" screen

Trading Card Game series

Main article: Duel (GB)#Pkmn Power

In Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!, there is a "Pkmn Power" screen found in the main duel screen. Some Pokémon Powers don't require the "Pkmn Power" screen to be used, such as Blastoise's Rain Dance. Some other Pokémon Powers require it, such as Alakazam's Damage Swap.


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

Relevant categories

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