Learn to play

Pokémon TCG

The easiest game here to pick up, and the one most kids already know the characters from.

  • 2 players
  • 60-card decks
  • 20–30 minutes

Start with

All Pokémon TCG sealed

A League Battle Deck is a real, tournament-ready deck in one box; an ex Battle Deck is the cheaper way to learn. Nothing to build, nothing else to buy.

How it plays

The idea

Each player has a 60-card deck of Pokémon, Trainer and Energy cards. You put a Pokémon in the Active spot, attach Energy to it each turn, and attack. Knock out one of your opponent's Pokémon and you take one of your six Prize cards; take all six and you win.

Your first game

Start with a League Battle Deck: it is a complete, competitive deck with a play mat and damage counters. Shuffle, draw seven, put a Basic Pokémon face down as your Active, set six Prize cards aside, and go. A first game with someone showing you takes about twenty minutes.

What to buy next

Nothing, for a while. Play the deck a few times, then swap in singles from our Pokémon wall as you learn what you like. Booster packs are for fun, not for building a deck.

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