Match Flow & Phases

Match Flow & Phases

Understanding the precise flow of a match in Pokémon TCG Live is crucial for strategic play. Each turn is divided into distinct phases, and knowing what actions are permitted in each will give you a significant edge. This detailed breakdown will guide you through every step, from setup to the final Prize Card.

I. Game Setup

Before the first turn even begins, several critical steps occur:

1. Shuffle Decks: Both players' 60-card decks are thoroughly shuffled.
2. Draw Initial Hand: Each player draws 7 cards. This is your starting hand.
3. Check for Basic Pokémon:
   • If you have at least one Basic Pokémon in your hand, proceed to the next step.
   • If you have NO Basic Pokémon, reveal your hand to your opponent. Shuffle your hand back into your deck and draw 7 new cards. Your opponent may then draw an additional card for each time you had to mulligan (reshuffle your hand). This "mulligan" process repeats until you draw a hand with at least one Basic Pokémon.
4. Place Active Pokémon: Choose one Basic Pokémon from your hand and place it face down in your Active Spot. This will be your Active Pokémon for the first turn.
5. Place Benched Pokémon (Optional): You may choose up to 5 additional Basic Pokémon from your hand and place them face down on your Bench. These are your Benched Pokémon.
6. Set Aside Prize Cards: Take the top 6 cards from your deck and place them face down in your Prize Card area. You cannot look at these cards until you take a Prize.
7. Reveal Pokémon: Both players simultaneously flip over their Active and Benched Pokémon.
8. Determine First Player: A coin flip (or a similar random method in Live) determines who goes first. You who goes first cannot play a Supporter card or attack on their first turn.

II. The Turn Structure

Once setup is complete, the game proceeds in alternating turns. Each turn follows a strict sequence:

A. Draw Phase

• Draw a Card: At the very beginning of your turn, you must draw one card from the top of your deck. If you cannot draw a card (because your deck is empty), you lose the game immediately.

B. Main Phase

This is the core of your turn, where you can perform several actions in almost any order. You can perform most of these actions multiple times, with some key exceptions:

• Play Basic Pokémon: You can play any number of Basic Pokémon from your hand onto your Bench, as long as you have available Bench space (maximum 5 Benched Pokémon).
• Evolve Pokémon: You can evolve your Pokémon by playing an Evolution card from your hand onto its corresponding Basic or Stage 1 Pokémon. You cannot evolve a Pokémon that was just played or evolved on the same turn (unless a specific card effect allows it, like Rare Candy).
• Attach Energy: You can attach ONE Energy card from your hand to one of your Pokémon (Active or Benched) per turn. Choose wisely where to place your Energy, as it fuels your attacks.
• Play Trainer Cards:
  • Item Cards: You can play any number of Item cards from your hand. These cards have various effects, from drawing more cards (e.g., Professor's Research) to searching your deck (e.g., Quick Ball).
  • Supporter Cards: You can play only ONE Supporter card per turn. Supporters are powerful effects that often involve drawing, searching, or disrupting your opponent (e.g., Marnie, Boss's Orders). Remember, the first player cannot play a Supporter on their first turn.
  • Stadium Cards: You can play only ONE Stadium card per turn. A Stadium card remains in play until another Stadium card replaces it or an effect removes it.
• Use Abilities: Many Pokémon have Abilities that can be used during your turn. Some are "once per turn" (e.g., Drapion V's "Wild Style"), while others can be used multiple times (e.g., Inteleon's "Quick Shooting"). Always check the card text.
• Retreat Your Active Pokémon: You can retreat your Active Pokémon to your Bench by discarding the number of Energy cards specified by its Retreat Cost. Once retreated, you must choose one of your Benched Pokémon to become your new Active Pokémon. You can only retreat once per turn.

C. Attack Phase

After completing your Main Phase actions, you have the option to attack. This is the final action of your turn:

• Declare Attack: Choose one of your Active Pokémon's attacks that you have enough Energy attached to use.
• Apply Attack Effects: Follow the instructions on the attack. This may involve dealing damage, applying Special Conditions (e.g., Burned, Poisoned, Paralyzed, Asleep), or other effects.
• Check for Knock Outs: If an attack deals damage equal to or greater than the defending Pokémon's remaining HP, that Pokémon is Knocked Out.
• Take Prize Cards: When your opponent's Pokémon is Knocked Out, you take Prize Cards. For a regular Pokémon, you take 1 Prize Card. For Pokémon V, Pokémon-GX, or other special Pokémon, you may take 2 or 3 Prize Cards as indicated on the card. Draw the specified number of cards from your Prize Card area and add them to your hand.
• Replace Knocked Out Pokémon: If your opponent's Active Pokémon was Knocked Out, they must choose a new Active Pokémon from their Bench. If they have no Benched Pokémon, they lose the game.

III. End of Turn

Once your attack is complete (or if you chose not to attack), your turn officially ends. Any "end of turn" effects (e.g., status condition checks, certain Abilities) would resolve now. Play then passes to your opponent.

IV. Winning the Game

You win the game if any of the following conditions are met:

• Take All Prize Cards: You take your last Prize Card.
• Knock Out All Active & Benched Pokémon: Your opponent has no Pokémon left in play (Active or Benched).
• Opponent Cannot Draw: Your opponent cannot draw a card at the beginning of their turn because their deck is empty.

By mastering these phases and understanding the actions available at each step, you'll be well on your way to becoming a formidable trainer in Pokémon TCG Live!