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How do you play Pokemon cards? Our beginner's guide explains it all
Do you want to learn how to play with Pokémon cards ? You are far from alone. The Pokémon Trading Card Game, or Pokemon TCG for short, was not the first trading card game to hit the market, but 25 years later it is one of only a handful of TCGs from the 1990s that is still around, and the Pokemon TCG is arguably the most popular of them all. This beginner's guide explains the rules of the game and contains all the information you need to start actively playing the Pokemon TCG.
What is the best way to start with the Pokemon TCG?
You can play the Trading Card Game in two different ways: first of all in person, with physical cards; or digitally on your PC, smartphone, or tablet.
We will cover both the digital version of the trading card game and the physical game itself here, providing a guide to all the basic rules and tactics as well as some important tips on which sets and decks are best suited for a new player like you.
Let's start with the fastest and most accessible way to get into Pokémon cards:
The Digital Pokemon TCG
The digital Pokemon TCG is the virtual version of the popular game. It is currently available on PC, Mac, and iOS or Android tablets, and in our view, it is the best way to start with the Pokémon Trading Card Game. While you can basically play it on most smartphones, the interface is more tailored to a PC or tablet, which is why we strongly recommend playing on such devices.
At the start of the game, you will be guided through the rules of the virtual TCG. New players also receive 3 basic decks for use against the AI. Defeat the AI through a series of so-called "Trainer Challenges". This will reward you with more cards, coins, and booster packs from the game.
Your goal should now be to acquire 500 PokéCoins, which you can use to buy your first Theme Deck/V Battle Deck (from the Sword & Shield expansion onwards, Theme Decks were replaced by so-called V Battle Decks). These decks are pre-built and ready to play, so you are immediately ready to compete against other trainers out there. The Theme Deck/V Battle Deck follows a certain theme, and this theme restricts players to using unmodified Theme Decks/V Battle Decks against each other.
The big advantage of pre-built Theme Decks/V Battle Decks is primarily that they are relatively beginner-friendly, making them perfect for starting out. However, you would almost certainly lose against Meta Decks or advanced decks, which is why over time you should build your own decks or replicate the so-called Meta Decks.
The Physical Pokemon TCG
The virtual version of the game is not the only way to actively play the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The game itself is easy to learn. The best way to start your adventure here is also by purchasing a Theme Deck/V Battle Deck.
Which Pokemon cards to buy as a beginner?
Every Battle Deck since the Sword & Shield era includes, among other things, a ready-to-play 60-card deck, a rulebook, and much more. Definitely a very good and relatively inexpensive way to get to know the TCG.
So: Now you know what you need to start with the Pokémon Trading Card Game – let's take a look at the basic rules.
The Basics and Rules of the Pokemon TCG
Both players shuffle their 60-card deck and draw 7 cards. Each player then places a so-called Basic Pokémon (which Pokemon are Basic Pokemon is always indicated in the top left corner of a card) face down. This is their Active Pokémon, which can fight and take damage.
If a player has no Basic Pokemon available, they must reveal their hand to their opponent, shuffle their cards back into their deck, and draw 7 new cards. Every time this happens, the opposing player can draw an extra card. Players can then place up to 5 Basic Pokemon face down on their Bench. Next, players draw another 6 cards from the top of their deck and place them face down at the side of the play area. These are your Prize CardsFinally, many players flip a coin to decide who goes first and then reveal their Active and Benched Pokemon. The first player now performs their turn; it is important to note that they .
cannot attack in the opening turn, and furthermore, neither player can evolve a Pokemon during their respective first turn..
The Further Process
Phase 1
Draw a card.
Phase 2
You can perform any of the following actions in any order.
- Place any number of Basic Pokemon from your hand onto the Bench in a face-up position. A maximum of five Pokémon can be placed on your Bench at one time.
- Evolve your Pokemon. There are Basic, Stage 1, Stage 2, and for example VMAX Pokemon in the game. You can evolve as many Pokémon as you want in one turn. However, you may only level up a Pokémon by one stage per turn.
- Attach an Energy card from your hand to any Pokemon. Only one Energy card may be attached to a Pokemon per turn.
- Play Trainer cards. You can recognize these cards because they are usually items, supporters, and stadiums. You should use them for your game as they allow you to heal Pokemon, draw more cards, and perform special actions (e.g., swapping your Active Pokemon with a Pokemon on the Bench). You may only use one Supporter card and one Stadium card per turn.
- Retreat your Active Pokemon/swap it for a Pokemon on the Bench. Each Pokemon must have a certain amount of Energy (Retreat Cost) to be allowed to retreat. You can find the Retreat Cost in the bottom right corner of a Pokemon card. You may only retreat one Pokemon per turn.
- Use a Pokémon's abilities (marked in red on a card). You can use any number of abilities per turn.
Phase 3
Attack by using one of your Active Pokemon's attacks for which you have enough Energy (this ends your turn).
How can you win a game now?
Option 1
Every time you defeat an opponent's Pokemon, you draw one of your 6 Prize Cards. The first player to draw all of their Prize Cards wins the game.
Option 2
You win if your opponent has no Active Pokemon left in play.
Option 3
You win if your opponent has no more cards in their deck.
Next Steps
Once you have fought a few battles, ideally successfully, and want to dive deeper into the game, you can buy an Elite Trainer Box. The Elite Trainer Box contains English Pokemon cards, and the Top Trainer Box (as it is called in Germany) contains German Pokemon cards.
German Elite Trainer Boxes
These boxes offer great value for you and your collection, as they always contain several booster packs, Energy cards (which are used in all decks), card sleeves, and condition markers (to indicate when a Pokémon is Asleep, Burned, Confused, Paralyzed, or Poisoned). Sometimes they even contain special promo cards if the box is from a so-called special set. An example of this would be the Pokemon GO Elite Trainer Box.
Conclusion
As you have hopefully learned, there are many different ways to play the Pokemon Trading Card Game. The game is also not very complicated and thus relatively easy to learn. So, what are you waiting for? Get an Elite Trainer Box or a Theme Deck/V Battle Deck and get started.
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Was our beginner's guide to the Pokemon TCG helpful for you, or are you already familiar with the game? Let us know in the comments, we would be happy to hear from you.
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