Pokémon card game: rules and explanation for beginners
Everyone knows Pokémon from the cards, the games or the anime. But did you know the Pokémon card game (also called the Pokémon TCG) is not only fun to collect, but a genuinely good game to play?
Plenty of people collect the cards without knowing exactly how the game works. A shame, because it is strategic and still easy to learn. In this blog we explain step by step how the Pokémon card game works, how to build a deck as a beginner, and what all the symbols on the cards mean.
How does the Pokémon card game work?
The goal is simple: you and your opponent each play with a deck of 60 cards. You try to knock out your opponent's Pokémon and take Prize Cards for it. Taken all your Prize Cards? Then you win the game.
This is what a turn looks like:
- Draw a card at the start of your turn.
- Put a Basic Pokémon into your active spot (if you can).
- Attach Energy cards to your Pokémon so they can attack.
- Evolve your Pokémon if you have the right evolution card.
- Play Trainer cards to swing the game your way.
- Attack, and see whether you can knock out your opponent's Pokémon.
Once your opponent's Pokémon is knocked out, you take one of your Prize Cards. How many depends on the kind of Pokémon you knocked out. A V card, for instance, is usually worth two Prize Cards.
What we like about this game is that it is easy to pick up, but still has enough depth for genuine strategists.
Deck building for beginners
As you know, you always play with exactly 60 cards. A good deck holds a mix of:
- Pokémon cards (usually between 15 and 20)
- Energy cards (15 to 20, depending on your Pokémon types)
- Trainer cards (25 to 30, such as Items, Supporters and Stadiums)
Handy tips when you are starting out:
- Build your deck around one or two Pokémon types (Water and Psychic, for example).
- Make sure you have enough Basic Pokémon, otherwise you cannot even start.
- Do not forget the Energy! Without energy your Pokémon cannot attack.
- Trainer cards often give you the edge: drawing extra cards, searching for cards, or getting energy down faster.
For beginners, pre-constructed decks are a perfect start. They are ready to go, so you can play straight away and see how a good deck is put together.
Our advice? Start with a standard deck like that, then start adjusting and trying out what suits your play style.
What do the symbols on Pokémon cards mean?
Look closely at a Pokémon card and you will spot all kinds of symbols. Here is what they mean:
Energy symbols
These tell you which type of energy you need for an attack. Think Water, Fire, Grass, Lightning and so on.
Rarity symbol
Bottom left of the card you will find a circle, a diamond or a star. That tells you the rarity:
- ● = Common
- ◆ = Uncommon
- ★ = Rare
Some cards have a shiny star or several stars, for example Secret Rares or Ultra Rares.
Set symbol
Every card carries a small mark showing which set it comes from. A little lighthouse for Evolving Skies, for instance, or the Poké Ball logo for the Base Set.
Card number
Bottom right you might see 45/189. That means it is the 45th card out of a set of 189.
These symbols do not just help you while playing, they help with collecting too. You can see at a glance which cards you are still missing and how rare they are.
Our advice if you want to start with the Pokémon card game
Do not start too complicated. Buy a starter deck first and learn the basic rules by simply playing a few games. You will notice the game making more and more sense. After that you can start adjusting your deck, collecting better cards and working out your own strategies.
And the best part? You get double the fun: the playing and the collecting. If you have questions about good starter decks or deck tips, just ask. We are happy to help you on your way.
