Pokémon TCG Trainer cards: Items, Supporters, Stadiums and Pokémon Tools

In a competitive deck, more than half of the cards are Trainers. They are what makes you draw cards, find the right Pokémon at the right time, hit the right target or slow your opponent down. Knowing them well means going from “I play my cards” to “I build my turn.”

Items: no limit

You can play as many Item cards as you like during your turn. You use them, then they go to the discard pile. A few classics:

• Ultra Ball: discard 2 other cards from your hand to search your deck for any Pokémon. The price is real, but the search is total.
• Nest Ball: search your deck for a Basic Pokémon and put it directly onto your Bench.
• Switch: switch your Active Pokémon with one of your Benched Pokémon, without paying a Retreat cost.
• Rare Candy: evolve a Basic Pokémon directly into a Stage 2, skipping Stage 1. Not possible during your first turn, or on a Basic Pokémon you played this turn.

Pokémon Tools: one per Pokémon

A Pokémon Tool is an Item that you attach to a Pokémon, where it stays until an effect removes it. Important rule: only one Tool per Pokémon. It goes to the discard pile along with its holder if the holder is Knocked Out.

The first of these Tools, for example, protects a Pokémon that is not a Mega: if an opposing Mega Evolution Pokémon ex deals it at least 240 damage, 12 damage counters are placed on the attacker. Enough to make you think twice before hitting hard.

Supporters: only one per turn

Supporters are the most powerful Trainer cards, hence their limit: only one Supporter per turn, and none during the first turn of the player who goes first. Choosing your Supporter for the turn is often the most important decision.

• Professor’s Research: discard your hand, then draw 7 cards. The great classic of drawing.
• Boss’s Orders: switch one of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon with their Active Spot. Ideal for going after the target that suits you.
• Iono: each player puts their hand on the bottom of their deck, then draws a card for each Prize card they have left. A formidable comeback card late in the game.

Stadiums: one field for two

A Stadium is placed in the center of the table and applies to both players. You can only play one per turn. If a Stadium is already in play, the new one replaces it and the old one goes to its owner’s discard pile. However, you cannot play a Stadium with the same name as the one in play.

With Prism Tower, each player may, once during their turn, discard 2 cards from their hand to draw a card. It’s up to you to judge whether it helps you more than your opponent!

ACE SPEC and Special Energy

• ACE SPEC cards are extremely powerful cards, marked with a special label. A deck can contain only one, across all ACE SPEC cards.
• Special Energy cards are not Trainers, but they round out the toolbox: they provide Energy and add an effect. Like any Energy, attaching one counts as your Energy for the turn.

What order should you play your cards in?

The order of your actions changes everything. A few simple principles:

1. Search before you draw. Play your Nest Ball and Ultra Ball before a drawing Supporter: you’ll better know what you’re missing, and an Ultra Ball can discard useless cards.
2. Use your hand before you lose it. Before Professor’s Research, which discards your hand, play everything that can be played.
3. Keep information for last. No need to show your strategy too early: put a Pokémon on the Bench only if it’s useful this turn or the next.
4. Attach Energy at the right time. If your drawing Supporter could bring you a better option, wait before attaching.