If you’re just getting into the Pokémon Trading Card Game, one of the first things to figure out is what each type of card does. Every deck is made up of three kinds of cards - Pokémon, Trainer, and Energy - and knowing how they work together is the key to building a strong deck.

Table of Contents

Pokémon Cards

Your attackers and defenders.

Pokémon cards are the stars of the game. These are the creatures you play onto your Bench and into the Active Spot to battle your opponent. Each Pokémon card has a name, HP, type, attacks, and sometimes Abilities.

Pokémon come in different stages:

  • Basic - Played directly onto the field.
  • Stage 1 - Evolves from a Basic.
  • Stage 2 - Evolves from a Stage 1.

There are also special kinds like EX, V, VMAX, VSTAR, and Ancient/Future cards in newer sets, so if you've been out the mix for a while, you're bound to see some new types. Each comes with extra power and extra risk when knocked out. If you want to learn more about the card stages, we've got that covered in our guide to Pokémon Card Stages.

Trainer Cards

Your tools, supporters, and tricks.

Trainer cards help you during your turn. They let you draw more cards, search your deck, heal your Pokémon, or disrupt your opponent. There are three main kinds:

  • Items - Can be played freely.
  • Supporters - Stronger effects but only one per turn.
  • Stadiums - Stay in play and change the rules of battle.

Some Trainers are powerful staples in almost every deck, and knowing when to use them is just as important as which ones you choose.

Energy Cards

What powers your attacks.

Energy cards are how you pay the cost of attacks. Without Energy, most Pokémon can’t do anything. There are two types:

  • Basic Energy - Grass, Fire, Water, Lightning, Psychic, Fighting, Darkness, and Metal.
  • Special Energy - Provide extra effects like healing or multiple types.

Do note that at the end of the X&Y series of Pokémon TCG sets, Fairy Energy, which was an additional type of Basic Energy, was discontinued from the TCG. Most Fairy-type Pokémon are now using the Psychic type and Pokémon that previously were Psychic but are Poison typically are now Darkness typed.

Most decks run about 10–15 Energy cards, depending on how fast you want to go and how much Energy your attackers need. There are many Trainer Cards and special Abilities from Pokémon themselves that can help you fetch Energy Cards from your deck.

Understanding how Pokémon, Trainer, and Energy cards work is the first step in becoming a solid player; Foundations are the most important. Once you know what each card type does, building your first deck becomes way less intimidating and way more fun.