The Ins and Outs of the Pokémon Card Game

written by Janah D.

December 11, 2020

Did you know that Pokémon is one of the world's most popular card games out there?

Did you know it was originated in Japan?

Are you all about Pokémon?

Don’t know how to play Pokémon?

If you answered yes to any of these, then this article is for you!

The Rules for Pokémon

When you battle in Pokémon, there are some basic rules that everybody needs to know:

  • The number of cards needed on a battle deck is 60 cards. If you have less than your opponent, they will need the same number of cards that you have.

  • There are 3 types of cards (Pokémon, Trainers, and Energy). You need 20 Pokémon specific cards to play.

  • Next, you need the right amount of Energy cards. The way you tell if it is an Energy card is by the energy circles at the bottom. The type of energy symbol determines what energy you use.

  • If you still have room in your number of cards, you can add Trainers. If you do this, they help a lot because they are helpers to help you win.

  • You can only use levels higher than 2 if you have the basic stage card for that particular Pokémon.

  • You have 6 prize cards; they are random from your battle deck. They give you special bonuses that you can use if you win a battle.

  • You can battle against any type of Pokémon, regardless of the type of Pokémon that you are using.


How to Play

  1. You need to have the same number of cards in your deck as your opponent has in their deck.

  1. You need to shuffle your deck.

  1. You need to take the top 6 cards from your deck and set them aside.

  1. Then you need to flip a coin to decide who goes first.

  1. Then you “Draw seven cards out of that deck” according to Mia Honey.

  1. When you decide to attack you make your move by picking a attack at the bottom of the card.

(For example my Moltres, Zapdos, and Artictuo - they have a hp of 300 and a attack of 210.)

  1. You swap turns every time your attack is done.

  1. The way you win is after every time you kill your opponent's Pokémon, you take a prize card. Your goal is to get rid of your prize cards before your opponent.

The Several Example Types of Pokémon

There is not really a difference for each type of Pokémon but there is a different type of energy. For each type, you need a matching energy card to use it. (I know it is weird, but it is part of the game.)


Examples of Pokemon types:

  1. Grass: Beedrill, Zubat, and Sewaddle.

  1. Metal: Skarmory, Alohan Digglet, and Shieldon

  1. Fairy: Snubull, Jigglypuff,and Clefairy

  1. Psychic: Mewtwo, Pumkaboo, and Jynx

  1. Fire: Charizard, Ponyta, Moltres .

  1. Darkness: Sableye, Stunky, Alohan Grimer

  1. Lightning: Pikachu, Voltrobe, Zaptose

  1. Water: Vaporeon, Seel, Goldeen

  1. Fighting: Cubone, Gilagar, Geodude


Two other types that do not have their own energy:

  • Dragon

  • Colorless

The Strongest Cards in My Deck

The first one pictured above is Zaptose Moltres and Arrticuno. It is a GX form, meaning it is a “tag team card” It has more than one Pokémon on it.


The second one is Rayquazza GX form – this is a unique card.


The third one is Lycanroc GX form – stage 1 evolves from Rockruff .


The last one is White Kyurem. It has a very strong attack for being a basic and non gx or ex form.

Zapdos- it is a lightning bird.

Pikachu is the first one pictured above- I put them up there because it's cute.


The next pictured is Zygarde - this guy is super strong and looks kind of cool.


The third picture is Moltress- this guy was my very first card from my very first deck.


Lastly, is Latias – this guy is also special because they are a remembrance from a friend.


That concludes our showcase.

Stay safe and get out there- CATCH EM ALL! GONNA CATCH EM ALL! Pokémon!