Pokémon Tabletop Rules & Guide

📖 Official TCG Rules

Turn Structure

1️⃣ Draw Phase

Draw 1 card at start of turn
First player skips draw on first turn
If you can't draw, you lose

2️⃣ Main Phase

Play Basic Pokémon to Bench (max 5)
Evolve (cannot evolve on first turn in play)
Attach 1 Energy per turn
Play Trainer cards (Items, Supporters)

3️⃣ Attack Phase

Declare attack from Active Pokémon
Pay Energy cost
Apply damage & effects
Turn ends after attacking

🏆 Win Conditions

Take all 6 Prize Cards
Opponent has no Pokémon in play
Opponent cannot draw

Advanced Mechanics

🔄 Evolution

Basic → Stage 1 → Stage 2
Cannot evolve same turn played
Evolution removes Special Conditions

💥 Weakness / Resistance

Weakness: ×2 damage
Resistance: -30 damage
Apply Weakness first

😵 Special Conditions

Asleep, Confused, Paralyzed
Poisoned (10 dmg between turns)
Burned (20 dmg, flip to remove)

Type Weakness & Resistance Chart

Type	Weak To	Resists
🔥 Fire	Water	Grass, Steel
💧 Water	Lightning	Fire, Water
🌿 Grass	Fire	Water, Ground
⚡ Lightning	Fighting	Metal, Flying
🔮 Psychic	Darkness	Fighting

⚡ Pokémon Character List

🎒 Item Encyclopedia

Pokémon Tools

Tool

Choice Band

Attached Pokémon deals 30 more damage to opponent's Active GX/EX.

Tool

Float Stone

Attached Pokémon has no Retreat Cost.

Consumable Items

Potion

Heal 30 damage from 1 of your Pokémon.

Max Potion

Heal all damage, then discard all Energy from that Pokémon.

Ultra Ball

Discard 2 cards, search your deck for a Pokémon.

Stadium Cards

Viridian Forest

Once per turn, discard a card to search for a Basic Energy.

Giant Hearth

Once per turn, discard a card to search for up to 2 Fire Energy.

🃏 Deck Building Guide

Exactly 60 Cards

Your deck must contain exactly 60 cards – no more, no less.

Max 4 Copies (except Basic Energy)

You may include up to 4 copies of any card with the same name.

At Least 1 Basic Pokémon

Mulligan rule: redraw if no Basic in opening hand.

Evolution Line Legality

To include Stage 1/2, you must include pre-evolutions.

Recommended Deck Ratios

🐾 Pokémon (14–20)

Main attackers
Evolution lines
Support / Tech

🎴 Trainers (26–32)

Draw Supporters
Search Items
Stadiums & Tools

⚡ Energy (10–16)

Basic Energy (8-12)
Special Energy (2-4)

❓ FAQ & Glossary

Can I evolve on my first turn? ▼

No. You cannot evolve a Pokémon on the same turn it was played, and first turn evolution is not allowed.

What happens if I run out of cards? ▼

If you cannot draw a card at the start of your turn, you lose the game (deck out).

Can I play multiple Supporters per turn? ▼

No. Only one Supporter card per turn.

How does Weakness work? ▼

Damage is multiplied by ×2 before applying Resistance.

Glossary

Active Pokémon

Frontline Pokémon that attacks/defends.

Bench

Up to 5 Pokémon in waiting.

Prize Cards

6 face-down cards; take 1 per KO.

Mulligan

Redraw if no Basic Pokémon.