How to read a Pokémon card: every part explained

Every Pokémon card follows the same layout, whether it's English or Japanese. Once you know where to look, you can read any card at a glance. Here's each part, from top to bottom.

The top of the card

• Stage: Basic, Stage 1 or Stage 2. Evolved Pokémon also show the Pokémon they evolve from.
• Name: including any extra label, like "ex" or "Mega".
• HP: Hit Points, the damage the Pokémon can take before it's Knocked Out.
• Type: the coloured symbol next to the HP: Grass, Fire, Water, Lightning, Psychic, Fighting, Darkness, Metal, Dragon or Colorless.

The artwork and the illustrator

The picture takes up the middle of the card. The illustrator's name is printed near the bottom, after "Illus." Many collectors follow favourite artists; see cool Pokémon cards.

Abilities and attacks

• Abilities are marked "Ability" and can usually be used without attacking.
• Attacks show the Energy symbols needed on the left, the attack name, and the damage on the right. The text below explains any extra effect. A white star symbol means Colorless: any type of Energy can pay for it.

Weakness, Resistance and Retreat Cost

Along the bottom of the text box:

• Weakness: a type that does double damage to this Pokémon.
• Resistance: a type that does less damage to it.
• Retreat Cost: how many Energy you discard to move it to the Bench.

Rule boxes

Special Pokémon have a rule box at the bottom. For example, when a Pokémon ex is Knocked Out, the opponent takes 2 Prize cards, and 3 for a Mega Evolution Pokémon ex.

The bottom of the card

• Regulation mark: a small letter in a box that shows which tournament formats the card can be played in.
• Set symbol or set code: which set the card is from. Japanese cards show a set code, such as SV2a for 151.
• Card number: such as 185/165. A number higher than the set total means a secret rare.
• Rarity: on English cards a symbol (a circle for common, a diamond for uncommon, stars for rare cards); on Japanese cards a letter code like C, U, R, RR, AR, SR, SAR or UR. See Pokémon card rarities.

Trainer and Energy cards

Trainer cards say which kind they are at the top: Item, Supporter, Stadium or Pokémon Tool, followed by their effect. Energy cards show their type. See how to play Pokémon cards for how each is used.

Reading Japanese Pokémon cards

Japanese cards use the same layout, numbers and symbols, so HP, damage, Energy costs and card numbers read exactly the same. Only the names and effect text are in Japanese. More in our guide to Japanese Pokémon cards.

Questions

What does HP mean on a Pokémon card?

Hit Points: how much damage the Pokémon can take before it's Knocked Out.

What do the numbers at the bottom of a Pokémon card mean?

The card's number in its set, such as 185/165. A first number higher than the second means a secret rare.

What is the letter at the bottom of a Pokémon card?

The regulation mark, which shows which tournament formats the card is legal in.