More ways to play!

Welcome to the exciting world of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG)! If you're new to the game or just looking to brush up on your skills, this guide will help you understand how to play in the Standard Format. The Standard Format is a popular choice among players because it features a rotating selection of cards, ensuring a dynamic and balanced gameplay experience.

To get started, you'll need a deck of 60 cards. Your deck can include Pokémon cards, Trainer cards, and Energy cards. The goal of the game is to knock out your opponent's Pokémon and collect Prize cards. When you knock out a Pokémon, you take one of your Prize cards. The first player to take all their Prize cards wins the game!

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to play:

1. Setting Up the Game:
Begin by shuffling your deck and drawing seven cards. Place one Basic Pokémon in the Active spot (the front line) and up to five Basic Pokémon on your Bench (the back line). If you don’t have any Basic Pokémon in your hand, you must reshuffle and draw a new hand of seven cards.

2. Understanding Your Turn:
Each turn consists of three main phases: the Draw Phase, the Action Phase, and the Attack Phase. Start by drawing a card from your deck. Then, during the Action Phase, you can perform several actions, including:

• Playing Basic Pokémon to your Bench
• Evolving your Pokémon
• Playing Trainer cards
• Attaching Energy cards to your Pokémon
• Retreating your Active Pokémon

After you’ve completed your actions, it’s time to attack your opponent’s Active Pokémon. Choose one of your Pokémon’s attacks, apply any necessary Energy costs, and resolve the attack. Don’t forget to check for any effects that may alter the outcome!

3. Knockouts and Prize Cards:
When your attack reduces your opponent’s Pokémon’s Hit Points (HP) to zero, that Pokémon is knocked out. Your opponent must then move a Pokémon from their Bench to the Active spot, if possible. You get to take one of your Prize cards for each knockout!

4. Winning the Game:
The game continues until one player has taken all their Prize cards or if a player cannot draw a card at the beginning of their turn. In the latter case, that player loses the game.

Playing the Pokémon TCG in Standard Format is not only about strategy but also about having fun and connecting with fellow players. Whether you’re a casual fan or a serious collector, there’s always something new to learn and explore in this vibrant community. So gather your friends, build your decks, and enjoy the adventure of the Pokémon TCG!

You can learn more advanced rules and other features by visiting the Official Pokémon Trading Card Game site!

To get some inspiration for what type of deck you want to start playing with, check out our personal decklists to try out!

Pokémon Trading Card Game had 2 competitive formats - Standard and Expanded. Expanded has cards from Black & White expansion, with a ban list for diverse strategies. Still popular with yearly events.

General Rules of the Expanded Format

In the Expanded format, cards from older sets that may not be available in the Standard format are where the creativity of your deck starts. However, it’s important to note that while there are no bans on specific cards, players must still adhere to the standard rules of gameplay, including deck size and card limits.

Your deck must consist of exactly 60 cards, and you can include up to four copies of any card, except for basic Energy cards, which can be included in any quantity. The Expanded format also allows for the use excellent draw cards: Pokémon Abilities like Dedenne-GX’s Dedechange, Item cards like Trainers’ Mail, and even combinations such as Unown and Rescue Carrier make it possible to draw your whole deck in one turn if you build for it.

Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting, the Expanded format offers endless possibilities for creativity and strategy. So gather your cards, build your deck, and get ready to enjoy the thrill of the game!

Follow along in-depth on Pokémon's official site down below:

• Pokemon TCG Live Expanded Official Page

If you're looking to start playing and building right away, we at Nexus are here to help. Click here for our own decklists!