How to Attack in the Pokémon Trading Card Game

Check and attach energy to your Active Pokémon.^[1] Almost all Pokémon have attack moves, which almost all cost energy. In order for you to use one of your Pokémon’s moves, you must have the right amount and type of energy attached to that Pokémon. You can find the energy cost at the left side of the attack name. If you do not have energy in your deck, there is no way to attack, or win, at the game.

• You will see some energy cost with a white star symbol. That means you can make a random energy choice and attach it to that Pokémon. It does not matter what it is. If you see a symbol with a specific picture, like a fighting energy or a lightning energy, however, you must have that specific energy attached to your Active Pokémon.
• You may see some symbols as a grey, blank circle. This means you do not need an energy attached to the Pokémon; you can use the move directly!

Check your opponent’s Active Pokémon's Resistance and Weakness.^[2] Some Pokémon have a Weakness or Resistance to certain types of Pokémon. This can be found at the lower-left corner of the Pokémon card. If you attack with a Pokémon type that is your opponent’s Active Pokémon’s Weakness, than the attack does more damage. If it is a type that is your opponent’s Active Pokémon’s Resistance, than the attack does less damage.

• If your opponent’s Pokémon’s happens to do a move that does damage to your Benched Pokémon, than Resistance and Weakness do not apply, unless stated otherwise.

Use Abilities, Poké-Bodies, and Poké-Powers.^{[3] [4]} Some Pokémon (mostly Stage 1s and a Stage 2s) have these special powers. These can be used as many times as you want, unless your Pokémon’s power states otherwise. Before you attack, try to use your special power, for they can help you.

• Be sure to read the power carefully. Be sure to announce the power you are using.
• Unlike attacks moves, powers don’t require energies in order to use them. You can use them freely.

Attack and end your turn. When you attack, put down one damage counter on your opponent’s Pokémon for each 10 damage your Active Pokémon’s attack does. Some attacks have instructions at the bottom. Read that first before you attack, for it could be something you need to do before you attack.

• If a Pokémon has total damage to its HP (life points) or more, it is automatically Knocked Out. Put the Pokémon that was Knocked out, and all cards attached to it, in the discard pile. When you Knock Out your opponent’s Pokémon, you get one of your prize cards.
• If your opponent does not have any Benched Pokémon to play, you automatically win the game.
• If your opponent does have Pokémon in plays, but you managed to take your last prize card, you also win the game.
• If you knock out a GX Pokémon, you get two prize cards!
• When you attack, you do not discard your energy needed for the attack, unless stated otherwise on the attack move