Step-By-Step Guide To Building A Standard Deck In Pokémon TCG

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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 Pokemon Trading Card Game (The Pokemon TCG) is one of the most popular trading card games, and for some Pokemon fans – 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 own Pokemon card journey. Whether you strive to be the best at Pokemon tournaments or desire to catch them all in card form, the time to embrace your inner Pokemon card master is now.

Don’t let all kinds of nuances discourage you, fellow Pokemon fans. The Pokemon TCG has very easy-to-follow rules, and by the end of this guide you’ll be well on your way to building your very own standard Pokemon card deck.

The Official Rules of The Pokemon Trading Card Game

The Pokemon Trading Card Game rules are fairly simple, and you can even download a PDF version of the rule book from the official website of The Pokemon TCG.

It’s worth noting that, like many popular card games, The Pokemon TCG comes with a ban list. The standard and unlimited formats of the game have no banned cards, while the expanded format does have a short list of cards banned.

As for the rules regarding the cards themselves, that’s what we’ll touch on here:

  • When playing, you’ll attach at least one energy card to your active Pokemon. You can attach more if their moves require it.
  • You can only use one support card per turn. You can use as many item cards as you want, though, during your turn.
  • Retreat costs will require you to use your energy cards.
  • If your Pokemon is asleep, you turn the card counterclockwise.
  • If your Pokemon is confused, you turn the card upside down.
  • If your Pokemon is paralyzed, you turn the card clockwise. The condition resolves at the end of the turn. Until then, you won’t be able to move the Pokemon from the active spot.
  • If a Pokemon is imprisoned or shock-waved, you will have to place a marker on the Pokemon. To get rid of these conditions, you will need to either evolve the Pokemon or use a Super Scoop Up item card or a Double Full Heal item card.

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 some Pokemon cards like this batch of Pokemon TCG promo cards featuring fan-created artworks are hard to resist.

What is a Pokemon card master to do then?

Because The Pokemon Trading Card Game has been around since the 1990s, there’s a high chance of coming across Pokemon cards 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. This Pokemon TCG garage sale success story is 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 as this Pokemon card 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 more Pokemon delights for your buck. This will help you keep your expenses to the minimum, especially if you are as determined as buying every Pokemon card pack ever made.

What to Consider When Choosing Your Cards

With over 200,000 distinct cards, Pokemon card collectors and card players are definitely spoiled for choice. The main consideration to keep in mind is that a Pokemon card deck needs only 60 cards. This means you have plenty of room to build and try different strategies as you grow as a Pokemon card master. If you’re just starting out at The Pokemon Trading Card Game, this list of charming full art cards can inspire you in your search for your ideal deck.

Let’s get started by focusing on some fundamental aspects of the game – energy cards, Pokémon 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:

  1. Pokemon Tool – Items that can give your Pokemon a boost.
  2. Supporter – Cards that can help you in a pinch, depending on the card, but the catch is that you can only use one per turn.
  3. Item – One-time use cards that can offer a variety of useful effects. For example, Double Full Heal or Potions.
  4. Technical Machine – Cards with special effects that can affect your opponent’s Pokemon.
  5. Rocket’s Secret Machine – These cards have special effects that can be used to affect you and your opponent.
  6. Stadium – These cards affect both players and stay in play during the match.

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 in Pokemon TCG tournaments.

Other items you’ll need:

  • 1 Tournament-Approved Coin – Some expansion packs and collector tins include a Pokemon coin or two. You can also use a die.
  • Play Mat And Rule Sheet – These items make it easier to know where your cards will need to be placed. The rule sheet in particular can help overcome any confusion as you play against your fellow Pokemon TCG players.
  • Damage Counters
  • Poison and Burn Markers
  • Card Sleeves – Cards can get a bit icky to touch after a while of using them, and it never hurts to protect them with a plastic sleeve.
  • Deck Box – A useful tool to store and organize your decks.

Remembering these details can lead to profitable results. I hope that your usual process of constructing decks becomes an exciting journey leading to success.

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2025-03-15 21:14