Anatomy of a Pokémon Card - Pokémon Card
Breakdown of a Pokémon Card with an Example
In the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), there are three main types of cards: Pokémon cards, [[Energy cards]], and [[Trainer cards]]. This article focuses on Pokémon cards.
Structure of a Pokémon Card
The various elements are best illustrated with an example:
1. Stage: Shows the evolutionary stage of the Pokémon. If it's not evolved, like Charmander, it's a Basic Stage. The first evolution (Charmeleon) is called Stage 1, and the second evolution, Charizard in our example, is called Stage 2. Baby Pokémon also belong to the Basic Pokémon. Categorization by card type in the Sammelfieber Shop.
2. Name: Every card has a name. For Pokémon cards, it's usually just the Pokémon's name, sometimes with an additional descriptor. A rule in the card game states that a player's deck can contain a maximum of four cards with the same name, even if the cards differ in other ways.
3. Hit Points: Hit Points (HP) in the top right indicate how much damage the Pokémon can withstand before being knocked out.
4. Type: The symbol at the very top right represents the Pokémon's type. There are some differences compared to the video games. [[Pokémon Types Differences Video Game and TCG]]
5. Pokémon Details: Below the image, there are usually details about the Pokémon such as its Pokédex No., species, height, and weight.
6. Attacks: The 1 to 4 attacks the Pokémon has. The symbols on the left side indicate which and how many Energy cards must be attached to the Pokémon for the attack. A symbol for a Colorless Energy card means any Energy card can be used. For Charmander, the number 30 indicates an attack that deals damage to the opponent, and for the upper attack, the absence of a number means this attack does no damage but instead provides another benefit to the player.
7. Weakness: Shows the type that deals more damage to this Pokémon than usual. The number next to it is the multiplier (usually x2). A Water-type Pokémon with an attack of 10 would therefore deal 20 damage to Charmander.
8. Resistance: The opposite of the Weakness mentioned in point 7. Charmander here has no Resistance. For a Resistance, the value is usually -30 damage points.
9. Retreat Cost: The cost to retreat the Pokémon in terms of Energy type and number. The cost can be 0-5 any Energy cards, depending on the Pokémon.
10. Illustrator: Name of the image designer
11. Expansion Symbol: Indicates which expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game the card belongs to. This Charmander belongs to the fourth Sword & Shield expansion, Darkness Ablaze.
12. Regulation Mark: Indicates the tournament format. Not all formats are usually allowed in tournaments.
13. Card Number: Shows the card number within the expansion and the total number, excluding Secret Rares.
14. Rarity Symbol: Rarity according to the list in the FAQ. Charmander is common.
15. Pokédex Entry: A short text with facts about the Pokémon
16. Copyright: At the very bottom is the year the card was printed and the copyright
This is the structure of a standard Pokémon card.