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Pokémon TCG

Evolution lines, Energy, and a 1999 craze that never really ended.

About the game

The Pokémon Trading Card Game turns the creatures from the video games and anime into a two-player duel. Each player builds a deck of Pokémon, Trainer cards and Energy, attaches Energy to power attacks, and tries to take all of their Prize cards by knocking out the opponent's Pokémon.

The game started in Japan in 1996 and reached English-speaking players in January 1999 through Wizards of the Coast. Since 2003 the English-language game has been published by the Pokémon company's own U.S. arm. That long run gives the TCG one of the deepest back catalogs in the hobby, from the original Base Set to the 2023 Scarlet & Violet era.

This hub connects every Pokémon expansion, card, mechanic and period covered on Cards Community. Start with a set if you like history, with a card if you already have a favorite, or with a mechanic if you want to understand how the game fits together.

Published by The Pokémon Company International. Browse all Pokémon cards in the explorer →

Expansions

Base SetJanuary 1999 (English) · 102 cards in the English releaseIt is the reference point for the whole hobby. Nearly every later set is compared with it.Neo GenesisDecember 2000 (English) · 111 cards in the English releaseIt shows how the game grew after Base Set, with a new generation of Pokémon and new card rules.Hidden FatesAugust 2019 (English) · A main set plus a separate Shiny Vault subsetIt is the clearest example of a theme-driven special set from the Sun & Moon years.Scarlet & Violet—151September 2023 (English) · Main set of 165 cards plus extra rare stylesIt connects the original Pokémon to the newest card styles.

Featured cards

Card types

  • Pokémon. The creatures that battle. Cards show a stage (Basic, Stage 1 or Stage 2), a type, Hit Points, attacks, a Weakness, a Resistance and a Retreat Cost.
  • Trainer. Support cards that do not battle. Modern sets divide them into Item, Supporter, Stadium and Pokémon Tool.
  • Energy. Cards that power attacks. Basic Energy comes in types that match the Pokémon types, and Special Energy adds extra effects.

Compare card types across games →

Mechanics & keywords

EvolutionHow Basic Pokémon grow into Stage 1 and Stage 2 Pokémon.Prize CardsThe face-down cards that decide how a game is won.Weakness & ResistanceType matchups printed on every Pokémon card.Abilities & Pokémon PowersSpecial effects that are not attacks.Trainer CardsItem, Supporter and Stadium cards that support the game plan.Pokémon ex & GXSpecial Pokémon groups that trade extra power for extra risk.

Rarities

  • Common. Printed in the largest numbers. Marked with a circle symbol on most cards from the original era onward.
  • Uncommon. Printed in smaller numbers than Commons. Marked with a diamond symbol.
  • Rare. A star symbol marks a Rare. In older sets many Rare cards also come as holographic versions.
  • Holo Rare. A Rare with a holographic, shiny area, usually over the artwork. The Base Set Charizard is a famous example.

See the full rarity guide →

Archetypes and deck styles

  • Evolution-line decks. A deck built around one line of Pokémon, such as Charmander, Charmeleon and Charizard. The plan is to set up the final evolution as fast and as safely as possible.
  • Type-themed decks. Decks that focus on one Energy type, for example Fire or Water. Fans of the games often pick a type that matches their favorite Pokémon.
  • Rule-box decks. Decks that lean on Pokémon-GX or Pokémon ex. They gain strong effects but give the opponent extra Prize cards when a card is knocked out.

More about archetypes →

Historical periods

  • Early years (1999–2003)

    Wizards of the Coast published the English game. Base Set, Jungle, Fossil and the Neo sets belong to this period, and so do the first-edition and Shadowless print details that collectors still talk about.

  • Middle years (2003–2013)

    The English game moved to the Pokémon company's U.S. arm. Card frames, Energy types and special card groups changed several times as the video games moved through new generations.

  • Modern era (2014–2022)

    Special mechanics such as Mega Evolution, GX, V and VMAX shaped this period, along with themed side sets like Hidden Fates that mixed new and reprinted Pokémon.

  • Scarlet & Violet era (2023–)

    The game returned to the name Pokémon ex, added Terastal Pokémon, and introduced Illustration Rare and Special Illustration Rare card styles that highlight artwork.

Key moments

  • 1996 · Oct The Pokémon Trading Card Game launches in Japan.
  • 1999 · Jan Base Set brings the Pokémon TCG to English-speaking players through Wizards of the Coast.
  • 2000 · Dec Neo Genesis begins the Neo block and introduces second-generation Pokémon to the card game.
  • 2003 The English-language game moves from Wizards of the Coast to the Pokémon company's U.S. arm.
  • 2019 · Aug Hidden Fates puts shiny Pokémon in a special Shiny Vault subset.
  • 2023 · Sep Scarlet & Violet—151 revisits the first 151 Pokémon in the modern card style.

Open the full timeline →

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