What is TCG?

In the Pokemon world, TCG stands for the Pokemon Trading Card Game! Played on the tabletop or online, decks of cards are used to battle against opponents. Some prefer to just collect cards as a hobby! Generally there are 3 kinds of cards; Pokemon Cards, Energy Cards and Trainer Cards.

Pokemon Cards

Pokemon Cards are the Pokemons you use to attack and defend in the battle! Most Pokemon Cards have 3 stages of evolution, where a Basic > Level 2 > Level 3. However, some Pokemons have only 2 levels and some remain basic and don't evolve at all! To know what Pokemon evolves into what you have remember them from the games you played or TV shows you watched. Otherwise, you could do a search on the internet or examine the small picture on the higher evolutions' card. 

As you can see below, during the game Cyndaquil can evolve to Quilava and then to Typhlosion. Can you spot Quilava on Typhlosion's Card?

Now that you know about Basic and Evolution cards, you need to know about the "X" Pokemon Cards. These cards are usually super-powered and super-rare, like the ones below! Cards belong to series that are produced in different Generations, and the game rules of these X-cards vary. Their designs and name-terms vary as well!

In Gen 2-3 cards they are known as Pokemon ex

In Gen 4 cards they are known as Pokemon LevelX

In Gen 5-6 cards they are known as PokemonEX. 

Energy Cards

Energy Cards are the cards that give your Pokémon power to use attacks in the Trading Card Game! Each attack require a certain amount of energy cards to use an attack, and every turn you are allowed to attach 1 energy to one of your Pokemon in play. Normal basic energy cards are rarely found in Booster Packs, but can be obtained in abundance when you buy a Full Deck Pack!

1st Gen energy cards. So old!

Energy cards come in two types; Basic (all the elements) and Special forms. In the picture above, the 6 cards on the left are basic energy cards, while the 4 on the right are examples of special energy cards which are more rare.

Trainer Cards

Trainers are not required in a deck, but it brings great strategy to your game play if included! It allows player to search deck for cards, change opponent's cards, enhance power, heal and switch Pokemon and many more special effects. In each player's turn, a Trainer card can be used according the instructions printed on it.

 There are several types of Trainer Cards such as Items, Supporters, Stadium, Tools and Technical Machines. Some are common while some are very rare. Can you differentiate the kinds of Trainer Cards above?

I hope this short summary shed some light on what Pokemon TCG is.

What are you waiting for? Go start collecting cards!