Editing Pokémon Trading Card Game (section)

=== Card types ===
Pokémon cards depict one or multiple Pokémon from the ''[[Pokémon]]'' franchise, one to two elemental types, one or more attacks and/or an Ability, and a certain amount of HP. Basic Pokémon are Pokémon that have not evolved and can be played directly onto the Bench; they have Stage 1, Stage 2, and/or special mechanic evolutions. Each player may have up to six Pokémon in play: one in the Active Spot and five on the Bench.<ref name="Honey" />

Most Pokémon have attacks that require a certain amount of Energies to use. Attacks deal damage to the opponent's Active Pokémon and sometimes deal additional damage to their Benched Pokémon; they may have additional effects like drawing cards, inflicting Special Conditions (Asleep, Burned, Confused, Paralyzed, or Poisoned) or altering the opponent's deck and/or board state. Abilities, previously called Poké-Powers and Poké-Bodies until 2011,<ref name="Howcast">{{Cite news |date=7 November 2018 |title=What Are Abilities, Poke-Powers & Poke-Bodies in Pokemon? |url=https://www.howcast.com/videos/497345-abilities-poke-powers-poke-bodies-pokemon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723191403/https://www.howcast.com/videos/497345-abilities-poke-powers-poke-bodies-pokemon |archive-date=July 23, 2021 |access-date=June 26, 2022 |work=[[Howcast]]}}</ref> are not attacks, but special effects on Pokémon that may be activated once or multiple times during their turn, such as drawing additional cards or switching the opponent's Active Pokémon with one of their Benched Pokémon, or can be passive, i.e. they remain in effect as long as the Pokémon with the Ability remains in play.<ref name="assets.pokemon.com" />

The other type of Pokémon cards are Evolution Pokémon. In contrast to a Basic Pokémon, Evolution Pokémon cannot be directly put into play; they must be placed on top of the corresponding previous Stage Pokémon to evolve it, and they cannot be played onto a Pokémon the same turn that Pokémon was put into the Bench or during the player's first turn. Stage 1 Pokémon evolve from Basic Pokémon, and Stage 2 Pokémon evolve from Stage 1 Pokémon. As a Pokémon evolves, it gains HP and their attacks change, usually becoming more powerful.<ref name="Howcast" /> Over the years many different variations to the standard mechanics have been added, the most prominent of which are the signature feature of their respective expansion series. 
{| class="wikitable"
|+Major Pokémon Card Attributes
!Card Type
!Release Expansion
!Evolution Stage(s)
!Mechanics
|-
|Shining Pokémon,
Pokémon ☆,
Radiant Pokémon
|''Neo Revelation'' & ''Shining Legends''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Comments |first=Theo Dwyer {{!}} |date=2021-10-25 |title=A Holographic History of The Pokémon TCG: Shining Pokémon |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/a-holographic-history-of-the-pokemon-tcg-shining-pokemon/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127080437/https://bleedingcool.com/games/a-holographic-history-of-the-pokemon-tcg-shining-pokemon/ |archive-date=2021-11-27 |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=bleedingcool.com |language=en}}</ref> (Shining),
''EX Team Rocket Returns''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Comments |first=Theo Dwyer {{!}} |date=2021-11-28 |title=A Holographic History of The Pokémon TCG: Pokémon ☆ |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/a-holographic-history-of-the-pokemon-tcg-pokemon-star-symbol/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124032339/https://bleedingcool.com/games/a-holographic-history-of-the-pokemon-tcg-pokemon-star-symbol/ |archive-date=2022-01-24 |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=bleedingcool.com |language=en}}</ref> (☆),
''Astral Radiance''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Quinton |date=2022-07-12 |title=What Are Radiant Cards in the Pokemon TCG? |url=https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-tcg-radiant-cards-explained/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802181401/https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-tcg-radiant-cards-explained/ |archive-date=2022-08-02 |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}</ref> (Radiant)
|Basic
|One per deck (excluding Shining Pokémon released after Shining Legends)
|-
|Pokémon-ex,
Pokémon ex
|''EX Ruby & Sapphire'' series,
''Scarlet & Violet'' series
|Basic, Stage 1, Stage 2
|2 Prizes, official documentation writes the names from the two releases differently but they function the same and are treated as such.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet |url=https://tcg.pokemon.com/en-us/expansions/scarlet-violet/ |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=tcg.pokemon.com |archive-date=2023-10-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030192450/https://tcg.pokemon.com/en-us/expansions/scarlet-violet/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|Pokémon LV.X
|''Diamond & Pearl'' series
|LEVEL-UP
|2 Prizes, can use attacks, Poké-Powers, and Poké-Bodies from its previous evolution<ref>{{Cite web |title=Enjoy Pokémon TCG Cards Featuring These Spe-Shell Pokémon |url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/enjoy-pokemon-tcg-cards-featuring-these-spe-shell-pokemon |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=Pokemon.com |archive-date=2024-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228032246/https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/enjoy-pokemon-tcg-cards-featuring-these-spe-shell-pokemon |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|Pokémon LEGEND
|''HeartGold & SoulSilver'' series
|LEGEND
|2 Prizes, 2 cards must be played onto the Bench at the same time<ref>{{Cite web |last=Comments |first=Theo Dwyer {{!}} |date=2021-12-27 |title=A Holographic History of The Pokémon TCG: Pokémon LEGEND |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/a-holographic-history-of-the-pokemon-tcg-pokemon-legend/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819204141/https://bleedingcool.com/games/a-holographic-history-of-the-pokemon-tcg-pokemon-legend/ |archive-date=2022-08-19 |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=bleedingcool.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|Pokémon-EX
|''Next Destinies'' 
|Basic
|2 Prizes, distinct from Pokémon-ex
|-
|Mega Pokémon-EX
|''XY'' series
|MEGA
|2 Prizes, turn ends after evolving from Pokémon-EX
|-
|Pokémon BREAK
|''BREAKthrough''
|BREAK
|Increases HP and gives an additional attack/Ability to its previous evolution.
|-
|Pokémon GX
|''Sun and Moon'' series
|Basic, Stage 1, Stage 2
|2 Prizes, each player can use a GX attack once per battle
|-
|TAG TEAM Pokémon GX
|''Team Up''
|Basic
|3 prizes, each player can use a GX attack once per battle<ref>{{Cite web |title=An Interview with Atsushi Nagashima About New Tag Team Pokémon-GX |url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/an-interview-with-atsushi-nagashima-about-new-tag-team-pokemon-gx |access-date=2024-02-27 |website=Pokemon.com |archive-date=2024-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228032247/https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/an-interview-with-atsushi-nagashima-about-new-tag-team-pokemon-gx |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|Prism Star Cards
|''Ultra Prism''
|Basic
|One of each Prism Star card per deck, sent to the Lost Zone when discarded
|-
|Pokémon V
|''Sword and Shield'' series
|Basic
|2 Prizes
|-
|Pokémon VMAX
|''Sword and Shield'' series
|VMAX
|3 Prizes, evolves from Pokémon V<ref>{{Cite web |title=Galar Pokémon and Pokémon V Arrive in Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield in February 2020 |url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/galar-pokemon-and-pokemon-v-arrive-in-pokemon-tcg-sword-shield-in-february-2020/#:~:text=These%20Pok%C3%A9mon%20V%20feature%20immense,when%20they%20get%20Knocked%20Out. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312172700/https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/galar-pokemon-and-pokemon-v-arrive-in-pokemon-tcg-sword-shield-in-february-2020/#:~:text=These%20Pok%C3%A9mon%20V%20feature%20immense,when%20they%20get%20Knocked%20Out. |archive-date=2021-03-12 |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=Pokemon.com}}</ref>
|-
|Pokémon V-UNION
|''SWSH Black Star Promos''
|V-UNION
|3 Prizes, once per game for each V-UNION name: add four V-UNION cards with the same name to the Bench<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parlock |first=Joe |date=2021-09-14 |title=What Are Pokemon V-UNION Cards, And How Do They Work? |url=https://www.thegamer.com/what-are-pokemon-tcg-v-union-cards-guide/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127150354/https://www.thegamer.com/what-are-pokemon-TCG-v-union-cards-guide/ |archive-date=2022-01-27 |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=TheGamer}}</ref> 
|-
|Pokémon VSTAR
|''Brilliant Stars''
|VSTAR
|2 Prizes, each player can use a VSTAR Power once per battle, evolves from Pokémon V<ref>{{Cite web |last=Michael |first=Cale |date=2021-10-19 |title=New VSTAR Mechanic Officially Revealed for the Pokémon TCG, Showcases Arceus VSTAR |url=https://dotesports.com/pokemon/news/new-vstar-mechanic-officially-revealed-for-the-pokemon-tcg-showcases-arceus-vstar |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626193256/https://dotesports.com/pokemon/news/new-vstar-mechanic-officially-revealed-for-the-pokemon-tcg-showcases-arceus-vstar |archive-date=2022-06-26 |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=Dot Esports}}</ref>
|-
|Tera Pokémon ex
|''Scarlet & Violet'' series
|Basic, Stage 1, Stage 2
|2 Prizes, different types than normal but uses the same energy, cannot be dealt damage by attacks while on the Bench<ref>{{Cite web |title=par_rulebook_en.pdf |url=https://www.pokemon.com/static-assets/content-assets/cms2/pdf/trading-card-game/rulebook/par_rulebook_en.pdf |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=Pokemon.com |archive-date=2024-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228054631/https://www.pokemon.com/static-assets/content-assets/cms2/pdf/trading-card-game/rulebook/par_rulebook_en.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
|}
Other Pokémon attributes include Owner's Pokémon,<ref name="Glossary">{{Cite web |title=Pokemon TCG Glossary |url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/about/pokemon-tcg-glossary |access-date=2024-02-27 |website=Pokemon.com}}</ref> Baby Pokémon,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dwyer |first=Theo |date=2021-01-25 |title=Vintage Neo Genesis Pichu Pokémon Card Swirls Onto Auction |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/vintage-neo-genesis-pichu-pokemon-card-swirls-onto-auction/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306053323/https://bleedingcool.com/games/vintage-neo-genesis-pichu-pokemon-card-swirls-onto-auction/ |archive-date=2021-03-06 |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]]}}</ref> Crystal Pokémon,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rahaman |first=Reyadh |date=2020-12-11 |title=Pokemon TCG: All Crystal Pokemon, Ranked |url=https://gamerant.com/pokemon-tcg-best-crystal-card-ranked/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907102226/https://gamerant.com/pokemon-tcg-best-crystal-card-ranked/ |archive-date=2022-09-07 |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref> Dark Pokémon,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rahaman |first=Reyadh |date=2020-12-10 |title=Pokemon TCG: 10 Strongest Dark Pokemon, Ranked |url=https://gamerant.com/pokemon-tcg-strongest-dark-cards-ranked/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407081043/https://gamerant.com/pokemon-tcg-strongest-dark-cards-ranked/ |archive-date=2023-04-07 |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref> Light Pokémon,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rahaman |first=Reyadh |date=2020-12-11 |title=Pokemon TCG: 10 Strongest Light Pokemon, Ranked |url=https://gamerant.com/pokemon-tcg-tips-best-light-cards/ |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=Game Rant |language=en |archive-date=2024-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817153349/https://gamerant.com/pokemon-tcg-tips-best-light-cards/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Team Magma's cards,<ref name="poke">{{Cite web |title=EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua |url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/ex-team-magma-vs-team-aqua/explore-and-watch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303105500/http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/ex-team-magma-vs-team-aqua/explore-and-watch/ |archive-date=2016-03-03 |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=Pokemon.com}}</ref> Team Aqua's cards,<ref name="poke" /> δ Delta Species,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dennett |first=Thomas |date=2020-03-17 |title=Pokémon TCG: The 10 Coolest Delta Species Cards |url=https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-tcg-coolest-delta-species-cards/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407010519/https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-tcg-coolest-delta-species-cards/ |archive-date=2023-04-07 |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}</ref> Pokémon Prime,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Comments |first=Theo Dwyer {{!}} |date=2022-01-03 |title=A Holographic History of the Pokémon TCG: Pokémon Prime |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/a-holographic-history-of-the-pokemon-tcg-pokemon-prime/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525063900/https://bleedingcool.com/games/a-holographic-history-of-the-pokemon-tcg-pokemon-prime/ |archive-date=2022-05-25 |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=bleedingcool.com |language=en}}</ref> Pokémon SP, Restored Pokémon, Team Plasma cards,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Black & White Plasma Storm Rulebook |url=https://media.pocketmonsters.net/pdf/bw_plasma_storm_rulebook.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801113941/https://media.pocketmonsters.net/pdf/bw_plasma_storm_rulebook.pdf |archive-date=2023-08-01 |access-date=2023-09-11}}</ref> Ancient Trait, Ultra Beasts,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sun & Moon—Crimson Invasion {{!}} Trading Card Game |url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/sun-moon-crimson-invasion |access-date=2024-02-27 |website=Pokemon.com |archive-date=2024-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817153512/https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/sun-moon-crimson-invasion |url-status=live }}</ref> Single Strike,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sword & Shield—Battle Styles {{!}} Trading Card Game |url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/sword-shield-battle-styles |access-date=2024-02-27 |website=Pokemon.com |archive-date=2024-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817153353/https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/sword-shield-battle-styles |url-status=live }}</ref> Rapid Strike, Fusion Strike,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sword & Shield—Fusion Strike {{!}} Trading Card Game |url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/sword-shield-fusion-strike |access-date=2024-02-27 |website=Pokemon.com |archive-date=2024-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228032245/https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/sword-shield-fusion-strike |url-status=live }}</ref> Ancient,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scarlet & Violet—Paradox Rift {{!}} Trading Card Game |url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/scarlet-violet-paradox-rift |access-date=2024-02-27 |website=Pokemon.com |archive-date=2024-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228032245/https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/scarlet-violet-paradox-rift |url-status=live }}</ref> and Future cards.

Trainer cards perform various effects to affect the game, including but not limited to: drawing cards, healing Pokémon, discarding Energy from opposing Pokémon, or retrieving cards from the discard pile. Before the ''Diamond & Pearl'' series, all cards that were not Pokémon or Energy were considered Trainer cards. Afterward, Trainer cards were subdivided into three categories, Item, Stadium, and Supporter. Item cards directly affect the battling Pokémon and include the subcategory Pokémon Tool cards to attach to a Pokémon and provide for different effects. Stadium cards provide global effects both players can use, usually once per turn. Supporter cards have considerably the strongest effects, but they are limited to one per turn.<ref name="assets.pokemon.com" /> Starting with ''Scarlet & Violet'', Pokémon Tool cards are considered as a separate category from Item cards; existing Pokémon Tool cards have received errata to conform to this change.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 Pokémon TCG Standard Format Rotation and Pokémon Tool Errata |url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/2023-pokemon-tcg-standard-format-rotation-and-pokemon-tool-errata |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=Pokemon.com |language=en |archive-date=2023-09-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915005726/https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/2023-pokemon-tcg-standard-format-rotation-and-pokemon-tool-errata |url-status=live }}</ref> ACE SPEC Trainer cards have powerful unique effects but only one ACE SPEC card is allowed in the deck.

Energy cards are attached to Pokémon in play to power their attacks. Only one Energy card may be attached per turn, unless a player has an effect that specifies otherwise. There are two categories of Energy cards: Basic Energy and Special Energy. The nine different Basic Energy types which correspond to Pokémon card types are Grass, Fire, Water, Lightning, Psychic, Fighting, Darkness, Metal, and Fairy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What Does a "Pokemon" Energy Card Do? |url=https://ourpastimes.com/pokemon-energy-card-do-12058435.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415230503/https://ourpastimes.com/pokemon-energy-card-do-12058435.html |archive-date=2021-04-15 |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=Our Pastimes}}</ref><ref name="dicebreaker.com">{{Cite web |date=2020-02-07 |title=How to build a Pokémon TCG deck for beginners |url=https://www.dicebreaker.com/categories/trading-card-game/how-to/how-to-build-a-pokemon-tcg-deck |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423152150/https://www.dicebreaker.com/categories/trading-card-game/how-to/how-to-build-a-pokemon-tcg-deck |archive-date=2021-04-23 |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=Dicebreaker}}</ref> The Dragon type does not have a corresponding Basic Energy card, and instead uses multiple types of Energy cards. Basic Energy cards fulfill costs for attacking and retreating and don't have additional effects, while most Special Energy cards have additional effects. Most attacks require a certain type and amount of Energy. If the attack has a Colorless Energy requirement, that requirement can be met by any Energy card.<ref name="assets.pokemon.com" /> Any amount of Basic Energy can be put in the deck, but only four of each special energy can be put in, just like Trainer and Pokémon cards.