Pokemon TCG Rule Clarification

When we first started playing the Pokémon TCG Diamond/Pearl expansion, we had many questions about gameplay. There was some confusion because the old rules are a bit different from the new ones. Here are some of the rules that confused us at first.

1. The first player draws a card. This player may not evolve basics or use trainer, supporter or stadium cards.

2. The second player cannot evolve basics, but s/he can use trainer, supporter or other non-pokemon cards.

3. The player who wins the flip can choose to go first or second.

4. Fossils now give a prize card when KO'd.

5. Fossils are considered pokemon when in play, trainers when in one's hand.

6. New weakness/resistances are +10, -20, etc. On the old cards, that don't have numbers, they are played as weakness = double damage and resistance takes -30 off damage.

7. If an active Pokémon is KO'd doing damage to itself, the opponent takes a prize card.

8. If a benched Pokémon is KO'd, the opponent takes a prize card.

Any other rules that I should list here that are sometimes confusing?

Legal Pokémon Cards - The Basics

One of my main goals was to make sure that we don't inadvertently use cards in our decks that won't be legal for tournament plat starting Sept. 1st, 2007. We did some research to figure out which sets are legal. There was not one place that had it clearly laid out to say, "These card are legal to play starting Sept. 1st". So here is what we found.

The following card sets will be legal for play in tournaments and at gyms starting Sept. 1st, 2007.

EX Holon Phantoms
EX Crystal Guardians
EX Dragon Frontiers
EX Power Keepers
Diamond and Pearl
Mysterious Treasures (Due out in Oct. 2007)
OP Series 4
OP Series 5
Black Star Promos 37 and up
Any card printed in an earlier set that was reprinted in one of these listed sets (i.e. energy cards)

Anything I'm missing?

The following list are the sets that were legal in the 2006-2007 season, that will no longer be allowed in game play starting Sept. 2007.

EX Deoxys
EX Emerald
EX Unseen Forces
EX Delta Species
EX Legend Maker
EX Trainer Kit 2
OP Series 3
OP Series 2
Black Star promos 29 to 36

You can check here to know which cards go with which sets.

Pokémon TCG for Dad

Dad just left a message that he plays too! So, I better add him to our blog, or I'm in trouble!

For Dad's day, we went to the local Pokémon gym. Dad didn't play at the tournament, but he did have a great time checking out all the new cards the kids won.

After dinner and jammies, the kids want to play Pokémon with Daddy! Our decks are a little unbalanced, so he lets them play the "winner" deck, so it's a more even game.

They love playing Pokémon with him. He's a patient player, yet he doesn't just "let" them win. He challenges them and makes them think about strategy.

So, with that, we're adding Dad to this blog. When the little one is old enough to play (she's only 3), we'll add her too.