The Pokemon Trading Card Game has been around since the 90s and has been a favorite among card game enthusiasts. The game is relatively easy to play but can be challenging when it comes to strategy. In this article, we will be discussing the basic instructions on how to play the Pokemon Trading Card Game.
Card Types
There are three different types of cards in the Pokemon Trading Card Game: Pokemon Cards, Trainer Cards, and Energy Cards. Pokemon Cards are the main cards used to battle against other players. Trainer Cards are used to help the player during the game by healing their Pokemon or drawing additional cards. Lastly, Energy Cards are used to power up Pokemon attacks.
Setting Up the Game
Before starting the game, both players must have a deck of 60 cards. Each player must shuffle their deck and draw seven cards. The player who goes first cannot attack on their first turn, but they can play Trainer Cards and Energy Cards.
Playing the Game
The objective of the game is to defeat all of the opponent's Pokemon. Each player can have up to six Pokemon on their bench, but they can only have one active Pokemon at a time. Players must take turns attacking with their active Pokemon, and they can also use Trainer Cards and Energy Cards to help them during the game.
Attacking
When attacking, players must check the attack cost listed on their Pokemon Card. The cost can be found in the top right corner of the card. The cost is the number of Energy Cards required to use the attack. Players can use Trainer Cards and Energy Cards to pay for the attack cost. If a player doesn't have enough Energy Cards to pay for the attack cost, they cannot use the attack.
Retreating and Switching
If a player wants to switch their active Pokemon or retreat, they must pay the retreat cost listed on their Pokemon Card. The retreat cost can be found in the bottom right corner of the card. The cost is the number of Energy Cards required to retreat or switch. If a player doesn't have enough Energy Cards to pay for the retreat cost, they cannot switch or retreat.
Winning the Game
The game ends when one player has defeated all of the opponent's Pokemon or when the opponent cannot draw any more cards from their deck. If both players have not defeated all of their opponent's Pokemon and neither player can draw any more cards, the game ends in a tie.
Conclusion
The Pokemon Trading Card Game is a fun and exciting game that can be played by people of all ages. The game is easy to learn but can be challenging when it comes to strategy. By following the basic instructions outlined in this article, you can start playing the game and have fun battling against other players.
