How to Get Started With Pokemon Trading Cards

Pokemon trading cards have captivated children and adults alike since 1996. The card game has become an incredibly popular collectible, with older cards selling for hundreds and even thousands of dollars on eBay. Whether you’re looking to start your own collection or simply teach a child how to play, there are many ways to get started with Pokemon.

To begin playing Pokemon, each player must first assemble a deck of 60 cards with at least one Basic Pokemon. The cards are then shuffled, and each player draws a hand of seven cards. The top six cards are set aside as prize cards, which can be awarded to the winner of each round of a match. The first player to receive all of their opponent’s prize cards is the winner of the match.

Each Pokemon is classified as a basic, stage 1, or stage 2 Pokemon based on its evolution line. A basic Pokemon may only evolve into a stage 1 or stage 2 Pokemon, and cannot be evolved the same turn it is played or benched unless there is an effect that allows it to do so. Some Pokemon have special effects that allow them to skip the normal evolution process, such as a GX or EX Pokémon.

Most cards have four columns, with the bottom column containing a text box for the Pokemon’s name and the other three displaying its HP and retreat cost, attacks, and abilities. Some cards also include a small icon in the upper-left corner that indicates which attack or ability it uses. The card also has a number in the lower-right corner that indicates its discovery. Cards with unusual secret cards feature a Pokemon image that replaces the usual circle of black, diamond, or star sign of discovery.

Each Pokemon has a special condition that can affect its performance, such as asleep, burnt, poisoned, or paralyzed. When a card is placed in play, the Pokemon’s owner must flip a coin – if heads, the Pokemon is awakened, but it cannot attack or retreat on its next turn. If the Pokemon is asleep, it must be flipped again to determine if it is cured of its sleepy state.

The artwork on the cards is done by a team of artists. Each artist has his or her own style that influences the overall look of a card. Creatures sends the artists detailed information about each card, including the type of Pokemon and its abilities, as well as any important background information or other details that need to be conveyed. The artist then creates the art based on these instructions. For example, the artist who worked on holographic cards received a note from Creatures to make the Giovanni card feel more imposing, which led to the use of a classical painting style rather than the more cartoony approach typically used in Pokemon card artwork. The art of the cards is often changed between sets, as well. For instance, Arita illustrated Bulbasaur and Venusaur, but not Ivysaur – that job was assigned to another artist for consistency reasons. Pokemon trading cards