Card type
Pokémon
Basic → Stage 1 → Stage 2, or a rulebox Pokémon (ex, V, VMAX). HP in the corner.
- What it does
- The fighters. Only the Active Pokémon attacks. HP is how much damage they can take before a KO.
- When you play it
- Basics can be played to a empty Active Spot or an open Bench slot on your turn. Evolutions go on top of the matching previous stage, not the turn you played that previous stage.
- Beginner trap
- Trying to evolve the same turn you played the Basic, or attacking with a Benched Pokémon.
Every deck needs Basics. If your opening seven has none, you mulligan. Evolution cards (Stage 1, Stage 2) cannot start in the Active Spot.
You evolve by placing the next stage on top of the matching name. You cannot evolve a Pokémon you just put into play this turn. That is the “evolution rule” people argue about at kitchen tables.
Rulebox Pokémon (ex, V, VMAX, and friends) are still Pokémon. They usually give up extra Prize cards when KO’d. That is the trade for bigger HP and attacks.
On this site, Charizard, Charizard ex, and Charizard VMAX share one character dossier. The play text is not the same — read the card you actually sleeved.
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