
Game Guide
What is Pokémon TCG and where to start
You still don't know what Pokémon TCG is? What are you waiting for to discover the most popular and valuable card game in the world with a great and accessible gameplay? Here's an introduction!
By Felipe, 22/06/22, translated by Humberto - 0 comments
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What is Pokémon TCG?
Do you know what Pokémon TCG is?
The card game of Japan's most famous franchise has been conquering more and more space, and has recently acquired even more status among collectors and fans around the world! This game is much more than a way to have fun, involving a technical gameplay system where there are numerous strategies and the cards have designs that are trueart pieces
. There are even some thatare worth more than a brand-new car.
"TCG" stands for 'Trading Card Game'', andPokémon TCG is a collectible card game
, as are Magic: The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh!, which are well-known franchises in this genre. This great franchise first appeared on cards in 1996, through Media Factory, which at first produced exclusively for Japan.Ad

Wizards of the Coast
, where it later passed into the hands of thePokémon Company
in 2003.A Pokemon TCG match
It's evident that the Pokémon card game was inspired by Magic, and it has a very similar energy structural system to MTG's Lands. But unlike Magic, energies are attached directly to the Pokémon, so it can't be harnessed by every creature on the field. So, it's possible to say that the combats during the "Pocket Monsters" game are centered, with the development of one Pokémon at a time, unlike Magic, where many Decks are focused on the synergy of numerous creatures at the same time. Pokémon Decks are built with60 cards
, and whoever acquires6 prizes
first wins! For each card you defeat, you will have the right to choose 1 prize, but that doesn't mean you will necessarily have to beat 6 opponent's cards because by knocking out special cards you can win 2 or even 3 prizes, as occurs when defeatingPokémons "V" and "V Max"
, respectively. But let's take it easy, don't think that it will be easier to achieve victory by defeating 3 "V" or 2 "V Max" special cards. After all, both types of special cards have much higher resistance and attack power than regular cards, which means that if you're careless, these Pokémon could end up defeating your entire team!Abilities and Strategy
Fortunately, the game is not just about raw power — there are numerousstrategy
focused abilities, and an example of this is contained in the special effects that can be inflicted in the game, such as Paralysis, Poison, Burn, Confusion and Sleep. Depending on how a match unfolds, thesespecial conditions
can cause Pokémon with more modest stats to take down even powerful Pokémon! Over time, the competitive Pokémon scene began to gain space, and theMetagame
evolved a lot. Today the TCG has a greater variety of strategies, and several new mechanics. But the game is not limited to competitions, after all, a huge part of the public acquires the cards to play casually or even just to collect.Pokémon TCG around the world
The game has become an absolute success, being present in 77 different countries, and already has a total number of sales of more than30 billion cards.
It is worth mentioning that there are numerous celebrities who collect the cards, with special emphasis onSteve Aoki, Logan Paul and Justin Bieber
, who owns a really expressive collection. Steve was responsible for introducing the TCG to many other artists in the music industry, further expanding the game's popularity, and occasionally generating a higher appreciation for certain cards.Pokémon: Card Types

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2 Pokémon!
So be careful, these cards grant combat power, but double your risks!Pokémon Cards: Collections and Expansions
expansions.
Each generation of the card game is inspired by the current generation of the Game, that is, the first generation of cards was based on the game's Green, Red and Blue, and the second generation on Gold and Silver. From the third generation (Ruby and Sapphire) onwards, the Pokémon Ex system was implemented, which served as the basis for the new Pokémon V. Currently, the game is already in the eighth generation "Sword and Shield", and within this collection there are numerous expansions. Let's introduce some expansions present currently: -Sword and Shield: Base

Sword and Shield: Battle Styles

Sword and Shield: Vivid Voltage

Sword and Shield: Evolving Skies

Sword and Shield: Celebrations

Sword and Shield: Fusion Strike

Sword and Shield: Brilliant Stars

Sword and Shield: Astral Radiance

Sword and Shield
can be used together. There will be no problem mixing Brilliant Stars with Astral Radiance cards, as both are from theSword and Shield set.
The important thing is that your deck strategy makes sense and is efficient in matches.Pokémon TCG: Where to start
theme decks
, they are cheaper and have an easier format to play, considering that they are focused on casual and non-professional games.Ad
Fortunately, there is Pokémon TCG Online
, and you can train your gameplay through the game! Whenever you purchase a booster pack, you will also receive a code that can be used in the online game, and there you will receive decks and booster packs to open according to your purchases! That is, by purchasing physical cards, you also receivevirtual cards!
Basic Decks can be purchased easily, and have60 cards.
And boosters have6 cards
and 1 online code, the cards in these envelopes are drawn, and can come with common or rare cards. You can use the cards taken in Boosters to replace cards from the preconstructed deck if you find it interesting.Formats
Standard
The most used game format isStandard
, and in 2022, this modality only allows cards with regulatory marks ''D'', "E" and later letters. In the past, it was much more difficult to know which cards were legal in the format, but with the arrival of these counters, everything became easier. Briefly, the current Standard format allows cards from the Sword and Shield set and its expansions, and just check the ''D'' and ''E'' marks to confirm if your cards fit the modality.Expanded
Another very important modality is theExpanded Format
, in which the player will be able to use a much wider variety of collections. All cards released from Black and White will be released in the 2022 Expanded. That is, you will be able to mix cards from Sword and Shield, XY, Sun/Moon, and any other set that was released after Black and White.Theme
There is also a very interesting format for beginners, theTheme
modality, where it is allowed to use only themed decks and without changes. That is, in this format players can only use preconstructed decks, creating more balance between beginner players.Conclusion
For more tips and information about the TCG universe, keep following our articles,Cards Realm
is counting on you to become the next Pokémon Master!
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