Card Types
Last updated
Last updated
In the Pokémon TCG, there are three primary categories of cards. These cards comprise a player's deck and include Pokémon cards for battling opponents, Energy cards needed to execute powerful moves, and Trainer cards that represent various items, allies, events, and locations.
Pokémon cards form the core of your deck, acting as your lineup for battles. You can assemble a diverse range of Pokémon from various elemental types to exploit your opponent's weaknesses, or you might choose to specialize in one or two types, mirroring the style of a Pokémon gym leader.
Basic Pokémon
What It Is: Basic Pokémon typically serve as the initial cards you place in play, representing creatures that can be played directly onto the field without needing to evolve from another Pokémon. You’ll recognize them by the "Basic" label in the top left corner. While certain Basic Pokémon can evolve into Stage 1 Pokémon or other forms based on their specific card, others remain in their original form and do not evolve.
Fun Fact for Collectors: Some of the most iconic Pokémon cards, like Pikachu, Eevee, and Snorlax, are Basic Pokémon. These cards are often the first step in building a larger collection or deck, and certain Basic Pokémon cards, like the Shadowless Blastoise (Base Set) , have become extremely valuable.
Stage 1 and Stage 2 Pokémon
Stage 1 Pokémon Cards: These signify the first evolution from a Basic Pokémon. These cards are placed on top of the matching Basic Pokémon (or Fossil Trainer cards considered as Basic Pokémon, in certain situations). Generally, Pokémon cannot evolve in the same turn they are played (or during the first turn of the game) and carry over any damage counters (though they do not retain status effects), energy cards, and Pokémon Tools from the previous card.
Stage 2 Pokémon Cards: These cards function similarly to Stage 1 Pokémon, serving as the next evolutionary step and being placed on top of the corresponding card. Stage 1 Pokémon cannot evolve into Stage 2 Pokémon during the same turn they evolve from a Basic Pokémon. However, certain Item cards (like Evolution Incense) allow a Basic Pokémon to directly evolve into a Stage 2 card without needing to first play a Stage 1 Pokémon.
Collector’s Insight: Evolved forms of Pokémon tend to have stronger stats and more detailed artwork, making them popular additions to any collection. Cards like Charizard (Stage 2 from Charmander) or Base Set Venusaur (Stage 2 from Bulbasaur) are some of the most iconic and prized cards in the TCG.
Special Pokémon Variants
What It Is: Over time, special variants of Pokémon cards have been introduced, featuring unique mechanics, such as EX, GX, V, and VMAX. These cards often have special powers and are designed with stunning full-art or holographic effects. For more info on these cards and their rarities, head over to Pokémon Card Rarities & Mechanics.
Collector’s Insight: Special Pokémon variants are often the most visually striking cards in any set, with their unique foil patterns or full-art designs. Cards like Mewtwo EX or Pikachu VMAX tend to become instant collector’s favorites due to their rarity and beauty.
Trainer cards support your Pokémon in battles and come in various types. Each Trainer card offers unique abilities, such as drawing extra cards, healing Pokémon, or boosting their attack power. Due to their powerful effects, some Trainer cards restrict players to using only one of a specific type, like supporters, per turn.
Item Cards
What It Is: Item cards represent tools, potions, and equipment that a Trainer might use to support their Pokémon. These cards help in various ways, like healing your Pokémon or drawing more cards.
Supporter Cards
What It Is: Supporters are among the most common Trainer cards in the Pokémon TCG, often featuring characters and allies from the Pokémon universe. Each Supporter card offers a unique effect, but most are discarded after use. Because of their powerful abilities, players can only play one Supporter per turn, and the first player cannot use a Supporter on their opening turn.
Pokémon Tool Cards
Introduced in the Neo Genesis set, Pokémon Tool cards are a specialized type of Trainer card that evolved from standard item cards in the Scarlet & Violet series. Unlike regular items, which are discarded after use, Pokémon Tools are attached to a Pokémon in play, providing ongoing benefits like increased attack power or new abilities. Players can play as many Pokémon Tool cards as they want during their turn, but typically, each Pokémon can only have one Tool attached at a time.
Stadium Cards
Stadium cards depict specific locations where Pokémon battles occur, capturing the unique settings trainers might find themselves in. These cards create ongoing effects that can enhance gameplay, such as providing extra card draws or altering energy costs, usually affecting both players. Only one Stadium card can be active at a time; when a new one is played, it must have a different name and will replace the current Stadium. Similar to Supporter cards, players are limited to playing one Stadium card per turn. Although Stadium cards were categorized separately for a time, they are now classified as a type of Trainer card
The Pokémon TCG features 11 distinct energy types. Each Pokémon may have one or multiple energy types, affecting how they interact with attacks from other Pokémon. This can result in increased or decreased damage, depending on the type of the attacking Pokémon, rather than the specific move used.
Originally, the TCG included 7 energy types. Following this, the Darkness and Metal types were introduced with the Neo Genesis set in 2000. Dragon types followed in the Black & White - Dragons Exalted set in 2012, and Fairy types appeared in the XY series in 2013. While Fairy-type cards still exist, they have since been categorized under Psychic starting with the Sword & Shield expansion in 2020. Additionally, as of 2021, Fairy energy cards were removed from official Pokémon TCG tournaments, making them the first energy type to exit the Standard format.
Basic Energy cards are the fundamental energy sources in the Pokémon TCG, including types like Water, Fire, and Grass. Each Basic Energy card provides one unit of its respective type and can be attached to any Pokémon on your bench or active Pokémon.
In contrast, Special Energy cards provide more than just basic Energy; they can have additional effects or count as multiple Energy types. For example, Double Colorless Energy provides two Colorless Energy at once. Special Energy cards also tend to have unique foil or holographic patterns, making them visually appealing.
Collector’s Insight: Though Basic Energy cards are common, older versions or those with unique foil patterns (like from special sets) can be highly collectible. Some collectors even aim to gather one of each Energy type from every set released.
Now, let's delve into the 11 energy types in the Pokémon universe...
Colorless
Colorless energy is unique because it can be substituted with any other type of energy. There are no basic Colorless energy cards, only Special Energy cards. This type includes Normal, Flying, and Dragon Pokémon, though newer Dragon cards since the Dragons Exalted expansion are classified separately. Colorless Pokémon can be weak to Lightning, Fighting, or other Colorless types, depending on their additional attributes. Their resistances may vary, offering advantages against Psychic, Fighting, Fire, Grass, or Water types. Generally, Colorless Pokémon perform well against other Colorless Dragon types.
Darkness
Introduced in the 2000 Neo Genesis set, Darkness energy reflects the emergence of Dark-type Pokémon. It now also includes Poison-type Pokémon, which were previously categorized under Grass starting from the Sword & Shield expansions. Initially, Darkness energy was available only as Special Energy cards, with basic Darkness energy introduced later in the 2007 Diamond & Pearl expansion. Darkness Pokémon may have weaknesses to Fighting and Grass types, depending on their specific type combinations. Typically, these Pokémon exhibit resistance to Psychic types and are strong against them.
Metal
Metal energy, first introduced in the 2000 Neo Genesis set alongside Darkness energy, represents Steel-type Pokémon in the Pokémon TCG. Initially, Metal energy was only available as a Special Energy card, which reduced damage taken by Metal-type Pokémon. Basic Metal energy was later introduced in the 2007 Diamond & Pearl expansion. Metal-type Pokémon are often known for their high defenses and may have weaknesses to Fire and Fighting-type attacks. They tend to resist Psychic and Grass-type Pokémon and exhibit strength against Fairy and Rock-types.
Dragon
Dragon is the latest energy type added to the Pokémon TCG and is still actively supported, following the removal of Fairy in 2020. Initially classified as Colorless, Dragon-type Pokémon received their unique designation in the 2012 Dragons Exalted expansion. Notably, Dragon is the only Pokémon type without a basic energy card; instead, Double Dragon Energy serves as a Special Energy card exclusively for Dragon Pokémon, providing two units of any energy type while attached. Consequently, Dragon Pokémon often rely on additional energy types to execute their moves. They generally have weaknesses against other Dragon and Fairy Pokémon but possess strength over their fellow Dragon types.
Fairy
The Fairy energy type made its debut in the Pokémon TCG during the XY series in 2013, but it also became the first energy type to be phased out when the Sword & Shield expansion was released in 2020. Representing Fairy-type Pokémon, many of which were previously classified as Colorless, this type was weak to Metal, had resistance against Darkness, and was strong against Dragon-types. After the introduction of Sword & Shield, Fairy Pokémon were reclassified as Psychic types. Notably, in 2021, Fairy Energy became the first basic energy card to be removed from the Standard format, rendering it unusable in official tournaments.
Fighting
As one of the foundational types in the Pokémon TCG, Fighting energy corresponds to Fighting, Rock, and Ground Pokémon. These cards reflect the strengths and weaknesses established in the games. For instance, Fighting Pokémon cards can be vulnerable to Psychic, Grass, or Water types, while Ground-type Pokémon typically have resistance to Lightning. Conversely, Fighting Pokémon generally excel against Darkness, Colorless, and Lightning types, making them formidable opponents in battle.
Fire
Another energy type that has been in the Pokémon card game from its very first set, Fire is also one of very few Pokémon energy types in the TCG that only represents a single type in the video games. Fire Pokémon are usually weak to Water-types, while being strong against Grass or Metal Pokémon.
Grass
As part of the original lineup in the Pokémon TCG, Grass energy encompasses Grass, Poison, and Bug Pokémon. Over time, Poison types were reassigned to Darkness, having previously been classified under Psychic from the Diamond & Pearl era until the Sword & Shield expansion. Grass-type Pokémon generally struggle against Fire attacks, particularly those that are Grass or Bug types, while older Poison cards often had vulnerabilities to Psychic. These Pokémon are usually resistant to Fighting and Water, depending on their specific type, and they tend to perform well against Water, Fighting, and Darkness Pokémon.
Lightning
Lightning is one of the original seven energy types in the Pokémon TCG, embodying Electric-type Pokémon like Pikachu and its companions. Lightning Pokémon cards typically have weaknesses to Fighting types and, in some cases, other Lightning types, especially if they are Flying Pokémon like Zapdos. Interestingly, Flying-types may resist Fighting attacks, while many Lightning Pokémon are resistant to Metal types. As you might anticipate, Lightning Pokémon excel against Water and Flying types.
Psychic
Psychic is a versatile energy type in the Pokémon TCG, currently encompassing three types from the video games: Psychic, Ghost, and Fairy. Initially, it only represented Psychic and Ghost Pokémon. Over time, starting with the Diamond & Pearl expansion in 2007, Poison Pokémon transitioned from Grass to Psychic, but they have since been reclassified under Darkness. Meanwhile, Psychic also absorbed Fairy Pokémon when the latter was merged into this category, following its removal as a standalone type.
Additionally, Psychic Pokémon have experienced shifts in their weaknesses; they were once vulnerable to other Psychic types but, as of the Sword & Shield expansion, are now weak to Darkness. Consequently, Psychic Pokémon may be weak against Darkness, Psychic, or Metal, depending on their specific type. Typically, they exhibit resistance to Fighting or Colorless types, especially if they are Ghost-types, while they generally perform well against Grass, Fighting, and fellow Psychic Pokémon.
Water
As one of the original seven energy types in the Pokémon TCG, Water encompasses both Water and Ice Pokémon. Water Pokémon generally have vulnerabilities to Grass and Lightning types, while Ice Pokémon tend to be weak against Fighting and Metal types. On the flip side, Water Pokémon are usually effective against Fire and Fighting types, giving them a strategic advantage in battles.
Now that we’ve explored the various types of cards in the Pokémon TCG, it’s time to turn our attention to the symbols that represent different Pokémon sets. Understanding these symbols is essential for identifying which set a card belongs to, as well as for tracking your collection and determining card value. Let’s take a closer look at the set symbols that enhance your experience as a player and collector.
