You’ve seen it in video games, mobile apps, and anime. You’ve seen it in tournaments. And you may have even seen it on the news.The PokemonTradingCardGame(ThePokemon TCG) is one of the most popular trading card games, and for somePokemonfans – their first collection.
With the latest buzz around new booster packs, expansion packs, and collector tins, you might find yourself among those who want to start their very ownPokemoncard journey. Whether you strive to be the best atPokemontournaments or desire to catch them all in card form, the time to embrace your innerPokemoncard master is now.
Don’t let all kinds of nuances discourage you, fellowPokemonfans.ThePokemonTCGhas very easy-to-follow rules, and by the end of this guide you’ll be well on your way to building your very own standardPokemoncard deck.
The Official Rules of The Pokemon Trading Card Game
The PokemonTradingCardGamerules are fairly simple, and you can even download a PDF version of the rule book from the official website ofThePokemonTCG.
It’s worth noting that, like many popular card games,ThePokemon TCGcomes with a ban list. The standard and unlimited formats of the game have no banned cards, while the expanded format does havea short list of cards banned.
As for the rules regarding the cards themselves, that’s what we’ll touch on here:
What Each Symbol on the Pokemon Card Means
Where Fans Can Get Their Pokemon Cards
Though you might feel a strong urge to go out and buy every card pack at the store now, there are better options. This is not to say that store cards aren’t important for deck building. The truth is that not everyone wants to spend hundreds of dollars on cards and end up being disappointed with what they get, even though somePokemoncards like this batch ofPokemon TCGpromo cards featuring fan-created artworksare hard to resist.
What is aPokemoncard master to do then?
BecauseThe PokemonTradingCardGamehas been around since the 1990s, there’s a high chance of coming acrossPokemoncards at garage sales, thrift shops, flea markets, and, if you’re lucky, you may even have friends or family members who no longer care to keep their cards. ThisPokemon TCGgarage sale success storyis a case in point. As is the case with any collector’s item, there are many stores that offer deals from time to time on card packs, special editions, rare cards, and more.
Online stores are also an option. Besides Amazon and PokemonCenter.com, box stores with an online store and online hobby stores aren’t something to overlook. Although, it’s never a bad idea to exercise caution about who you buy from, as some places like eBay can rip you off. After all, it’s not uncommon for some retailers to resort to leveraging the demand in their favor, such asthisPokemoncard retailer suspected of scalping.
Ideally, if you want to buy from a store, you’ll want to get expansion packs, booster packs, and collector tins when they’re on sale. This way you get morePokemondelights for your buck. This will help you keep your expenses to the minimum, especially if you are as determined asbuying everyPokemoncard pack ever made.
What to Consider When Choosing Your Cards
With over 200,000 distinct cards,Pokemoncard collectors and card players are definitely spoiled for choice. The main consideration to keep in mind is that aPokemoncard deck needs only 60 cards. This means you have plenty of room to build and try different strategies as you grow as aPokemoncard master. If you’re just starting out atThePokemon Trading Card Game, this list ofcharming full art cardscan inspire you in your search for your ideal deck.
With that knowledge in mind, let’s start with a few card basics to focus on: energy cards, Pokemon cards, and trainer cards.
A good rule of thumb for deck ratios is: 15 energy cards, 15 Pokemon cards, and 30 trainer cards. However, you may find these ratios inadequate for your particular strategy, so feel free to add to or take away from each group to suit your deck’s needs.
Let’s jump into what each group is all about and why you need each.
Energy Cards
These cards are used to power up your Pokemon’s attacks and are needed for retreats. They are a pretty big deal as a result. There are also special energy cards. These cards give energy but may also have other effects, which is why they should be used wisely.
Trainer Cards
These cards offer a variety of effects, depending on the card.
This card type has six subcategories:
Pokemon Cards
This is the main group that we both know and love. Here’s where you get to be very selective in which Pokemon you want on your team or, in this case, in your deck. Whether you choose them for their artwork, their type, their cool moves,their special abilities, or their strength/HP, all reasons are valid ones.
Pokemon Card Playing Field
Other Items Pokemon Card Masters Need
While the game itself is dominated by cards, there are other pieces you’ll need in order to play against friends and family members as well as inPokemon TCGtournaments.
Other items you’ll need:
It pays to keep all these nuances in mind. May your standard deck building turn into a prosperous adventure.
