How to read a Pokémon card

A Pokémon card is packed with info. Learn what HP, attacks, weakness, retreat cost and the card number mean, so you can read any card at a glance.

In this article

  • A Pokémon card is packed with info. Learn what HP, attacks, weakness, retreat cost and the card number mean, so you can read any card at a glance.

A Pokémon card has a lot of small symbols and numbers. It can look like too much at first, but every piece has a fixed place. Once you know the places, you can read any card in a few seconds.

At the top: name, HP and type

The Pokémon's name sits at the top left. Above it you sometimes see a word like Basic, Stage 1 or Stage 2. That tells you how far the Pokémon has evolved. You can play a Basic right away, while the other two need an evolution first.

HP is at the top right. That stands for hit points: the higher the number, the more damage the Pokémon can take. Next to the HP you see a small symbol. That is the type, for example fire, water or grass.

In the middle: attacks and abilities

The attacks sit below the artwork. To the left of each attack you see small symbols. Those are the energy cards you need to use that attack. The number on the right is the damage your opponent takes.

Sometimes there is also an Ability. That is a special trick that costs no energy. Read the text carefully, because every ability works in its own way.

Do you see ex in the name? That is a stronger card. But be careful: when such a Pokémon is knocked out, your opponent takes more prize cards. More power also means more risk.

At the bottom: weakness, resistance and retreat

At the bottom left you find the weakness. Against an attack of that type your Pokémon takes extra damage, usually double. Next to it is the resistance, which reduces damage from a certain type.

On the right is the retreat cost, the number of symbols you pay to move the Pokémon back to the bench. Many symbols means the Pokémon is heavy to swap out.

A Pokémon card with arrows pointing to HP, attacks, weakness and retreat cost

The very bottom: card number and rarity

At the very bottom you see a small set symbol and a number, such as 077/084. The first number is the card's place in the set. The second is how many cards the main set has. If the first number is higher than the second, it is a special or extra rare card.

Next to the number is a small rarity symbol. A circle is common, a diamond is uncommon and a star is rare. That tells you roughly how often you will run into the card. The illustrator's name is printed down there too.

The bottom edge of a Pokémon card showing the card number and rarity symbol

Practice with a real deck

The best way to learn to read cards is to hold them. A battle deck comes ready to play, so you get cards with all kinds of attacks, energy and ex Pokémon to look at. Protect your favorites with a sleeve afterwards. Below you find a few products to start with.