Pokémon TCG
The official trading card game of the Pokémon universe, where every trainer builds a deck to battle their opponents.
See the Pokémon collection
Presentation
The Pokémon Trading Card Game (Pokémon TCG) has been published by The Pokémon Company since 1996. Two trainers face off with 60-card decks combining Pokémon, Trainer cards and Energy cards, in a game that's easy to pick up from the first matches while offering real strategic depth for more experienced players.
Collection system
Every card carries a rarity symbol in the bottom right corner. Beyond single cards, sealed displays (36 boosters) are collectors' preferred format: they contain on average 6 to 8 Double Rare cards or higher per display.
Common / Uncommon
Circle or diamond symbol. The most frequent cards, 4 to 5 per booster.
Rare / Rare Holo
Shiny (holo) finish cards, the backbone of competitive decks.
Double Rare (ex)
Recognizable by their two yellow stars, the entry level of "Hit" cards.
Illustration Rare / Special Illustration Rare
Full-art illustrations highly sought after by collectors.
Hyper Rare / Ultra Rare
The highest rarities, rare even in a full display.
The Pokémon universe portrays a world where humans and fantastical creatures called Pokémon live side by side. Young Trainers travel across different regions (Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and many more since) to catch, train and evolve their Pokémon, aiming to become a Pokémon Master by beating the Gym Leaders and then the Elite Four. Each card game expansion generally accompanies the release of a video game or a new region, and introduces new creatures, mechanics and artwork that enrich this universe, in constant expansion since its creation by Satoshi Tajiri.
Here are the basics to play your first game.
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1. Build your deck
60 cards: Pokémon, Trainer cards and Energy cards. A pre-built deck is the best entry point to get started.
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2. Set up the game
Each player draws 7 cards, places a Basic Pokémon Active and up to 5 more on the Bench. 6 Prize cards are set aside.
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3. Play your turn
Draw a card, attach an Energy (one per turn), play Trainer cards and evolve your Pokémon.
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4. Attack
Your Active Pokémon attacks the opponent's. The player who goes first cannot attack on their first turn.
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5. Win the game
Knock out your opponent's Pokémon to take Prize cards. The first to take them all — or whose opponent has no Pokémon left in play — wins.
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Frequently asked questions — Pokémon TCG
How many cards do you need to play the Pokémon TCG?
A standard deck contains 60 cards: Pokémon, Trainer cards and Energy cards.
What's the difference between a Pokémon booster and a display?
A booster contains 10 to 11 random cards. A display groups 36 sealed boosters in their original packaging.
How do I recognize a Pokémon card's rarity?
A symbol in the bottom right corner of the card shows its rarity: circle (common), diamond (uncommon), star (rare), and variants for higher rarities.
Can I start with a simple pre-built deck?
Yes, it's even recommended: a pre-built deck is balanced and comes with a rules sheet.