Pokemon Game Rules

Card Types

• Before you begin playing the game, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the five types of cards that make up your deck of 60 cards. The first type of cards are the Pokemon--the creature you use in battle, much in the same way they are used in the video game. Trainer cards will give you a bonus such as extra damage or access to a special move. Energy cards are used by your Pokemon to attack, more powerful attacks require more energy. Stadium cards will provide bonuses to both players, such as increased strength to Water-Type Pokemon. Supporter cards are used in the same manner as Trainer cards but you can only you one Supporter card per turn.

Starting the Game

• Start the game by flipping a coin to determine who will go first. Have both players shuffle their deck and draw the top seven cards. Check your hand for any Pokemon card types. If you have Pokemon, place one of them face up on the game board and up to five more face down on the board. The face up Pokemon can engage in battle with the others are your reserve team.

  After each player has placed their Pokemon, draw six additional cards and place them face down off the game area. These cards are known as Prize cards and will be awarded to the winner of the match.

Taking Turns

• Play begins with the first player drawing a card from his deck and then deciding on a course of action. In the Pokemon CCG, players can add up to five Pokemon to their reserve team, place one Energy card per turn onto the Pokemon engaged in battle, or activate the bonuses on your Stadium, Trainer, and Supporter cards. You can play multiple Trainer cards in one turn but only one Stadium card can be in play at any time and one Supporter card can be played per turn.

Battling and Victory

• Once you have enough energy cards placed on your active Pokemon, you can attack your opponent. Announce that you are attacking and the move that you have chosen to use. Determine the damage amount by using the strength of your Pokemon's move, and the strength and weaknesses of your opponent's Pokemon. You can attack once per turn and damage carries over to subsequent turns. Once the damage done to the Pokemon exceeds the Hit Points listed on the card, your opponent must remove the Pokemon from play and you receive one of his Prize cards.

  Play continues until one player has obtained all six of his opponent's Prize cards or his opponent has not more Pokemon left to battle.