Playing the Pokemon trading card game can be a highly fulfilling experience, but for beginners, it may seem daunting to tackle a TCG for the first time.
If you were inspired by the incredible performances at the 2024 Pokemon Worlds tournament and found yourself curious about joining the competitive TCG community, you’ve come to the right spot.
How to Play a Pokemon Match
Two Pokemon TCG players shaking hands before playing a match.
The goal of a standard match in the Pokemon TCG, despite there being various iterations, is to defeat your opponent’s Pokemon and collect 6 Prize Cards.
Both players have decks consisting of 60 cards, containing a variety of card types such as Pokemon, Trainers, Items, and Stadiums. They may also contain more uncommon card types such as Ace Specs, or specific categories of Pokemon like Stellar Tera-type Pokemon.
To commence a game, participants will either toss a coin or roll a die to determine the starting player. Afterward, each player must shuffle their deck and draw seven cards. Six extra cards must also be set aside as Prize Cards.
Afterwards, both participants will verify whether they possess any Basic Pokemon in their seven-card hand, referring to unevolved Pokemon that are displayed at the top of the card.
If a person does not possess any Basic Pokemon, they are required to show their opponent their hand, reshuffle it into their deck, and draw a new hand of 7 cards. This action is referred to as a mulligan, and for each mulligan taken, the opponent may draw an additional card.
An example of what your playmat might look like when setting up a Pokemon TCG match.
When both players have at least one Basic Pokemon, they are required to place a Basic Pokemon in the Active Position. A maximum of 5 Basic Pokemon can be placed on the Bench behind the Active Pokemon. It is not possible to evolve a Pokemon on the same turn that it was played.
Next, the player who rolled first will have the opportunity to take their turn. Within a turn, a player has the option to perform any of the following actions after drawing a new card to begin:
- Attach one Energy card to any of their Pokemon
- Evolve a Pokemon by putting the corresponding Stage 1 or Stage 2 on top of it
- Put Basic Pokemon onto their Bench
- Use Item and Trainer cards (Any number of Items can be played, Trainers and niche types like Ace Specs have more niche restrictions)
- Use Pokemon Abilities
- Take their Active Pokemon out of battle by paying the Retreat Cost
It should be noted that certain cards have the ability to circumvent these regulations. For instance, a card may enable an immediate evolution, or a Stadium card could alter the limitations on playable cards during a turn.
One important element that is not included in the aforementioned list is attacking. When a Pokemon uses an attack, the turn ends, therefore it is necessary to complete other tasks such as retrieving Energy and playing Items beforehand. Certain attacks may also cause Special Conditions, including burns.
When a Pokemon is attacked, it receives Damage Counters that represent the amount of HP (Health Points) it has lost. Once a Pokemon’s HP reaches zero, it is considered to be Knocked Out and the attacker may then claim a Prize Card.
A player wins when all 6 of their Prize Cards have been taken. Moreover, if a player has no remaining Benched Pokemon to switch to the Active Position, they will forfeit the game. If a player is unable to draw a card, they will also lose.
How to Adapt an Existing Pokemon Deck List
A Pokemon TCG Battle Academy set and Zapdos ex Deluxe Battle Deck.
For new Pokemon TCG players, constructing a deck can be a daunting task, making it beneficial to use existing deck lists.
Deck lists that have already been created can be easily located on various social media platforms, particularly following major events such as EUIC or Worlds where players often share their lists. These lists can also be acquired by purchasing pre-constructed decks, such as Deluxe Battle Decks.
Both Battle Academy decks and Level 1 Deluxe Battle Decks offer an enjoyable and easy-to-use gaming experience. It’s worthwhile to try them out for a few matches and then experiment with adjusting the card list to increase efficiency. Perhaps replacing a regular Item with an Ace Spec card could be a beneficial modification.
Pre-made decks can be considered as the starting point for new decks. While they may already be enjoyable and moderately strong as they are, taking the time to analyze their core mechanics and utilizing gameplay to pinpoint areas for enhancement can elevate them to a higher level.
How to Test Decks with Pokemon TCG Live
A screengrab of a Pokemon TCG Live match.
While Pokemon TCG Live may have a somewhat negative reputation among the community for its glitches and challenging interface, it is still an excellent platform to hone and showcase your skills.
Once you have decided on the type of deck you want to use, access Pokemon TCG Live and check if you can create it using the digital cards in your possession. If your collection is limited, consider browsing the Pokemon TCG Subreddit as there are instances where code cards are given away by other users.
In the digital game, there are also pre-made decks available for players to use, so you can be less concerned about your specific deck list.
A major advantage of playing on Pokemon TCG Live is the game’s guidance in performing each step of your turn. This is particularly helpful for those who are still learning the ins and outs of a Pokemon TCG match and want to become familiar with its structure.
It is not necessary to be overly concerned about winning or losing your initial matches. The key is to dedicate time to understanding the mechanics of the game and how to adjust to an opponent’s choices in real-time. These abilities are crucial for competitive play in Pokemon TCG.
How Top-Level Players Are Playing the Game
Once you have tried out several decks and participated in matches, whether in person or through TCG Live, it is beneficial to research which decks are currently recognized as the BDIF (Best Deck In Format) or which decks top-level players are utilizing in tournaments.
Although you may not encounter all of the top-tier decks at your nearby card shop, it is beneficial to be aware of the current trends so that you can prepare and potentially include counters in your own deck.
Limitless TCG and similar websites can also be useful for staying updated on popular decks in the current season and gathering ideas for building decks.
Begin by identifying the 2-3 most popular decks and then search for 2-3 decks that can effectively defeat them. Even if you are unable to encounter or utilize the counters, you will still gain a better understanding of the game’s mechanics and improve your ability to analyze decks.
How to prepare for your first tournament
Once you have developed enough confidence to compete against other players in a relaxed setting, your next task is to locate the nearest Pokemon League. These establishments can typically be found at nearby card stores, hobby shops, or board game cafes, although the specific locations may differ depending on your geographical location.
The Pokemon website offers an official Event Locator tool that can assist you in locating the nearest event. This tool is useful for finding events related to both Pokemon Go and Pokemon VGC.
The Event Locator tool on the Pokemon website.
It is important to consider which items you will require in addition to your deck. While it is not necessary to spend a lot of money on a luxurious playmat or deck box, there are a few essential items that you may want to have, such as:
- Simple sleeves to protect your cards during play
- Dice and counters
- A deck box
Having a playmat is a great addition, but not necessary. Start with the essentials and consider adding extra TCG accessories if you become a frequent participant in tournaments and competitions.
How to Apply Your New Skills in Practice
A match photo from a Twilight Masquerade pre-release event.
After playing a few matches with friends or practicing with different decks on Pokemon TCG Live, the most effective way to enter the local competitive scene is by attending a pre-release event.
“These events are typically hosted at card shops and Pokemon Leagues – we have even participated in a few – and they provide an excellent opportunity to not only showcase your skills, but also to network with fellow players.”
What you’ll find in a Build & Battle Box.
Generally, the tournament or event structure for pre-release events will vary depending on your location and the organizers of the Pokemon League. However, they will typically follow Swiss pairing rules, allowing you to play against a diverse range of opponents. Participating in these events can also earn you unique and thrilling stamped cards from Prize Packs.
It may seem daunting to face off against other individuals, especially those you don’t know, for the first time. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that the Pokemon TCG community is generally friendly and welcoming, and most players are more than willing to help you understand the game’s rules.
After attending a pre-release event and exploring nearby events, it would be beneficial to research the competitive ladder and its workings for the Pokemon TCG if you have intentions of competing. Accumulating points may require patience, but the rewards are worth pursuing for those looking to advance as competitive players.
Gaining knowledge about the different Pokemon TCG expansion sets and card types available can also improve your gameplay skills.
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