Q&A Search Results

*Search by card name or text displayed on card
*Other than rules, some abilities and attacks of cards are also published.

• When I already have 5 Benched Pokémon, can I swap a Benched Pokémon with a Basic Pokémon in my hand?
  No, you can't. Once a Pokémon has been put in play, unless a card's effect specifically tells you to do so, you can't take it back into your hand.
  Basic Rule
• How can I move my Active Pokémon back to the Bench?
  To move your Active Pokémon back to the Bench, you can either retreat it, or use the effect of an attack or a Trainer card that lets you switch it with a Benched Pokémon.
  Basic Rule
• After I swapped my Active Pokémon with a Benched Pokémon, can the new Active Pokémon attack?
  Yes, it can.
  Basic Rule
• During my turn, can I bring to the Active Spot a Pokémon I just played on the Bench?
  Yes, you can. However, to get your Benched Pokémon in the Active Spot, you will need to either retreat your Active Pokémon, or use the effect of a card that lets you switch your Active Pokémon with a Benched Pokémon.
  Basic Rule
• When does a Pokémon retreat?
  You can retreat a Pokémon when you want to swap it with a Pokémon on your Bench. For example, you might want to retreat your Active Pokémon to prevent it from getting Knocked Out, or to heal its Poisoned, Burned, or Confused Special Condition, or when you'd rather use the attack of one of your Benched Pokémon instead.※ Paralyzed and Asleep Pokémon can't retreat.
  Basic Rule
• If I attach an Energy to my Active Pokémon which has a one-Energy retreat cost, and then retreat it to the Bench, can I then attach another Energy to my new Active Pokémon?
  No, you can't. You can only attach one Energy per turn.
  Basic Rule
• Can I put an Evolution Pokémon in play directly?
  No, you can't. In order to play it, you must put it on top of a Pokémon with the same name as the Pokémon written on the top left corner of the Evolution card. This is called "evolving".
  Basic Rule
• When I already have 5 Benched Pokémon, can I put more Pokémon from my hand onto my Bench?
  No, you can't. You can only have up to 5 Pokémon on your Bench.
  Basic Rule
• When am I allowed to put Pokémon on my Bench?
  You can put Pokémon on your Bench any time after drawing a card at the beginning of your turn, and before ending your turn by attacking or passing your turn.
  Basic Rule
• If I have a bunch of Basic Pokémon in my hand, can I put them all on my Bench?
  No, you can only put up to 5 Pokémon on your Bench.
  Basic Rule
• Can Pokémon also attack from the Bench?
  No, they can't. Only the Active Pokémon can use attacks.
  Basic Rule
• After I put a Pokémon in play, can I take it back into my hand?
  No, you can't. Once a Pokémon has been put in play, unless a card's effect specifically tells you to do so, you can't take it back into your hand.
  Basic Rule
• Why should I put Pokémon on my Bench?
  When your Active Pokémon gets Knocked Out, you must choose one of your Benched Pokémon to replace it in the Active Spot. If you don't have any Benched Pokémon to put in the Active Spot, you lose immediately.
  Basic Rule
• What happens if I run out of cards in my deck?
  If a player has zero cards left in their deck and is unable to draw a card at the beginning of their turn, that player loses the game.
  Basic Rule
• I can't seem to draw Energy cards from my deck. Am I really not allowed to attack until I draw Energy cards?
  Yes, your Pokémon can't attack until it has enough Energy attached.
  Basic Rule
• What should I do when using an attack?
  If the attack deals damage, put damage counters on your opponent's Pokémon to match the amount of damage written in the attack. If the attack has an effect, read out the effect and do what's written. Once all of that is done, your turn is over.
  Basic Rule
• After using an attack, can I switch my Active Pokémon with a Benched Pokémon?
  No – since using an attack ends your turn, you can't then switch your Active Pokémon with a Benched Pokémon. You will be able to switch them during your next turn.
  Basic Rule
• Does Energy disappear after attacking?
  No, it doesn't. The Energy stays attached to the Pokémon even after attacking.
  Basic Rule
• If a Pokémon with Energy attached evolves, can it immediately use the evolved Pokémon's attacks?
  So long as it has the necessary Energy attached, it can use its attacks. However, once evolved, a Pokémon can't use the attacks of its previous evolutions anymore.
  Basic Rule
• How do Pokémon become affected by Special Conditions?
  Some Pokémon's attacks and their effects can cause Special Condtions on the opponent's Pokémon or themselves.
  Basic Rule