How to read a Pokémon card
Work down the card from the top: the stage and name, the HP and type, the artwork, then any Abilities and attacks with their Energy costs and damage, and finally weakness, resistance and retreat cost. The fine print at the bottom shows the illustrator, the set symbol, the card number, the rarity and the regulation mark.
The top of the card
| Stage | Basic, Stage 1 or Stage 2. Evolved Pokémon also show which Pokémon they evolve from. |
|---|---|
| Name | Can include a tag like ex, V or VMAX, or the word Mega. These Pokémon give up extra Prize cards when they are Knocked Out. |
| HP | The amount of damage the Pokémon can take. |
| Type | Shown by the Energy symbol in the corner: Grass, Fire, Water, Lightning, Psychic, Fighting, Darkness, Metal, Dragon or Colorless. |
Attacks and Abilities
Each attack shows the Energy it needs on the left, its name in the middle, the damage on the right and any effect in the text below. A plus or times sign next to the damage means it can go up or down. Abilities are not attacks, and in most cases using one doesn't end your turn.
Weakness, resistance and retreat cost
- Weakness: attacks of that type do double damage.
- Resistance: attacks of that type do less damage, usually 30 less.
- Retreat cost: how many Energy you must discard to move this Pokémon to the Bench.
The fine print collectors check
- Illustrator: the name of the artist. Many collectors follow favorite illustrators.
- Set symbol: tells you which set the card is from. Modern cards also show a set code such as SV2a or MEW.
- Card number: printed like 199/165. If the first number is higher than the second, the card is a secret rare.
- Rarity: a circle, diamond or stars, or letter codes such as SAR and SR on Japanese cards. Our guide to rarities explains each one.
- Regulation mark: a letter in a small box (G, H, I and so on) that determines whether the card can be used in Standard tournaments.
You can look up any card by its set and number on our set pages, which list every card in number order with a price.
Trainer and Energy cards
A Trainer card says at the top whether it is an Item, Supporter, Stadium or Pokémon Tool, and its effect is in the text box. Energy is either basic Energy of one type or Special Energy with an extra effect.
Common questions
What does HP mean on a Pokémon card?
Hit Points: how much damage the Pokémon can take before it is Knocked Out.
Where do I find the card number?
In the bottom left or bottom right corner, next to the set symbol, written like 025/165.
What is the letter in the bottom corner?
The regulation mark, which decides which cards are allowed in Standard each season.
