Previously, we took a quick look at how to play the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Including: How to SET-UP the Pokémon Trading Card game, How to PLAY the Pokémon Trading Card Game & How to ATTACK your opponents in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
Once you’re finally playing the Pokémon Trading Card game, we can start getting into the minutia and handling of special conditions and events happening during the game. We’re going to start by exploring how players should deal with SPECIAL CONDITIONS occurring during the Pokémon Trading Card game.
What are SPECIAL CONDITIONS occurring during the Pokémon TCG?
SPECIAL CONDITIONS are the detrimental effects that can be applied to your ACTIVE Pokémon.
These include being:
1. Burned
2. Poisoned
3. Asleep
4. Confused
5. Paralyzed
These CONDITIONS occur between turns (in this order):
1. Burned
2. Asleep
3. Paralyzed
Dealing with a POISONED Pokémon
To deal with a Poisoned Pokémon, place a POISON Marker on the Pokémon that is poisoned. Takes on one DAMAGE COUNTER (10 Damage points) between each turn. It’s a great way to inflict extra damage on your opponents Pokémon.
Dealing with a BURNED Pokémon
Flip a coin between turns.
HEADS: The Pokémon takes on ZERO Damage.
TAILS: Place 2 Damage Counters on BURNED Pokémon.
ALTERNATIVE PLAY: Sun & Moon RULE
BETWEEN TURNS: Place 2 BURNED Markers ( marker with Crossed Band-Aid) on Pokémon.
Burned Pokémon owner: FLIPS A COIN
HEADS: Pokémon NO LONGER BURNT (remove BURNED Markers)
TAILS: Pokémon remains BURNED!
Dealing with an ASLEEP Pokémon
- If Pokémon ASLEEP – turn card COUNTERCLOCKWISE
- FLIP COIN between turns.
- If card HEADS: Pokémon WAKES UP, back to normal.
- If card TAILS: Pokémon REMAINS ASLEEP – CAN NOT RETREAT OR ATTACK!
Dealing with a PARALYZED Pokémon
- If Pokémon PARALYZED – turn card CLOCKWISE
- It will be unable to attack or retreat for one turn after it becomes Paralyzed
- PARALYZED Pokémon – CAN NOT RETREAT OR ATTACK!
- PARALYSIS cured between turns (ie- that is if Pokémon PARALYZED since beginning of last turn)
Dealing with a CONFUSED Pokémon
- If Pokémon CONFUSED – turn card UPSIDE-DOWN
- FLIP A COIN before you ATTACK!
- If card TAILS: place 3 DAMAGE COUNTERS on CONFUSED Pokémon (and ATTACK does NOTHING)
- If card HEADS: Pokémon ATTACK successful
BUT IF: Attack involves COIN FLIP, flip for CONFUSION 1st
NOTE: Confused Pokémon can NOT retreat or attack!
How to HEAL your AFFECTED Pokémon
SIMPLEST METHOD: return Pokémon card to the BENCH “aka” RETREAT!
EXCEPT IF: Pokémon card is ASLEEP or PARALYZED (BUT can still be SWITCHED if use EFFECTS)
NOTE: If Pokémon affected by MULTIPLE conditions (that rotate the card), only the MOST RECENT applies!