How to read a Pokémon card
Every Pokémon card carries a lot of information in a small space. This guide reads it with you from top to bottom. For a numbered picture of a real card, see Anatomy of a card.
The top
- Stage: Basic, Stage 1 or Stage 2. Stage 1 and Stage 2 are Evolution cards, and an Evolution card says which Pokémon it "Evolves from".
- Name: some names end with a suffix such as ex, V, VMAX or VSTAR. These are special kinds of Pokémon with their own rules; for example, when a Pokémon ex is Knocked Out the opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
- HP: the number next to the name. When the damage on a Pokémon equals its HP or more, it is Knocked Out.
- Type: the Energy symbol in the corner. The game has 11 Energy types: Grass, Fire, Water, Lightning, Psychic, Fighting, Darkness, Metal, Fairy, Dragon and Colorless. Fairy-type Pokémon exist only in older sets.
Attacks and Abilities
- Energy cost: the symbols left of an attack's name show the Energy needed to use it. The grey Colorless symbol can be paid with any type.
- Damage: the base damage is printed to the right of the attack. If an ×, − or + is printed next to it, the attack text tells you how to work out the final damage.
- Ability: an effect that is not an attack. Read it carefully, because each Ability works differently.
The bottom
- Weakness and Resistance: damage from the listed type is increased (Weakness, for example ×2) or reduced (Resistance).
- Retreat cost: the Energy you discard to retreat the Pokémon from the Active spot.
- Illustrator: the artist, printed after "Illus.".
- Expansion code and collector number: they identify the set and the card inside it. See Card numbers and secret rares.
- Rarity symbol: next to the number. See Rarity symbols and labels.
- Regulation mark: a small letter near the expansion symbol on Sword & Shield-era cards and newer. It decides whether the card is legal in official Standard play. Basic Energy cards carry no mark. (Community reference: Bulbapedia.)
