The Pokemon trading card game (TCG) is a strategy-based collectible that is fun for kids and adults. The game involves two players, each with a deck of 60 cards, taking turns using attacks and abilities to defeat their opponent. It can last for a mere few minutes or over an hour, depending on how quickly the players can defeat each other. There are several different ways to play the game, including with a starter kit, with a deck of pre-made cards or with a set of booster packs.
The game starts with a coin flip or rock-paper-scissors to determine who goes first, and then the decks are shuffled and each player draws a hand of seven cards. There are three ways to win: claiming all prize cards from your rival, collecting all of your own, or knocking out all the Pokemon in your rival’s field. Each card has a Pokemon illustration on the front, and there is a little symbol in the bottom right-hand corner that shows its rarity: A circle means it’s common, a diamond indicates it’s uncommon and a star makes it rare. Some cards also have a note about how “evolved” the Pokemon is, showing if it’s in its basic form or its stage one or stage two forms.
Each deck also contains Energy cards. There are different types of Energy, and these are used to power the Pokemon in your deck. Some Energy cards can only be played once, while others can be used over and over again to recharge a Pokemon’s attack. A special type of Energy, called Special Energy, allows you to attach more than one card at a time, or provide multiple different types of energy at once.
There are a number of ways to get started with the Pokemon trading card game, including with a starter kit, which comes with a deck of ready-to-play cards that walk you through the game. You can also find virtual tutorials online, or ask a friend who already plays to teach you.
Booster packs are released at regular intervals, with new sets coming out every four months or so. There are also tournaments throughout the year, where players compete to win prizes and a chance to earn spots at the World Championships, which are held four times a year.
It takes a team of over 70 artists and 19 playtesters to create a new Pokemon card series. Nagashima says that the design process starts with a general idea and then moves to commissioning the art. Once the artwork is finished, the card is then playtested by players who vary in skill levels and bring their feedback to the design team. Usually the feedback is only slight tweaks like lower attack damage or higher HP, but sometimes cards are completely revamped. Those cards are then released in expansion packs. These are a great way to introduce your kids to the trading card game without committing to a whole collection of boosters. Pokemon trading cards