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How to read a Pokémon card: 12 things printed on every card

Our example is Charizard ex 006/165 from 151. The numbers on the card match the notes on the right. The most useful one for finding a card is number 12: the set code plus the card number points to exactly one card.

Charizard ex 151 006/165 with 12 numbered markers
Card: Charizard ex · 151 · 006/165 · illustrated by PLANETA Mochizuki
  1. 1Stage
    Basic, Stage 1 or Stage 2. A Stage 2 card goes on top of its Basic and Stage 1 forms.
    This card: Stage 2
  2. 2Card name
    Names ending in ex, V, GX and similar are special Pokémon: your opponent takes extra Prize cards when one is Knocked Out.
    This card: Charizard ex
  3. 3HP
    How much damage the Pokémon can take. Once the damage equals its HP, it is Knocked Out.
    This card: 330
  4. 4Type
    The round icon in the top-right corner. It decides weakness and resistance.
    This card: Fire
  5. 5Evolves from
    The Pokémon it evolves from, shown in the small picture top-left.
    This card: Charmeleon
  6. 6Attack cost
    The Energy the Pokémon needs attached before it can use the attack.
    This card: 1 Fire Energy / 4 Fire Energy
  7. 7Attack name and effect
    The small text under the name is the extra effect of the attack.
    This card: Brave Wing, Explosive Vortex
  8. 8Damage
    A + after the number means more damage when a condition is met.
    This card: 60+ / 330
  9. 9Weakness, resistance, retreat
    Attacks of the weakness type do double damage. The retreat number is how many Energy you discard to switch it out.
    This card: Weakness Water ×2, no resistance, retreat 2
  10. 10Rule box
    Extra rules for special Pokémon, such as your opponent taking 2 Prize cards when it is Knocked Out.
    This card: Pokémon ex rule
  11. 11Illustrator
    Every card credits its illustrator, and you can search this site by illustrator.
    This card: PLANETA Mochizuki
  12. 12Regulation mark, set code, number and rarity
    The most useful line: the letter is the regulation mark, followed by the set code, the card number and the rarity symbol.
    This card: G · MEW · 006/165 · ★★

What are the three kinds of Pokémon cards?

Pokémon cards

They have HP, a type and attacks, and do the battling.

17,825 English cards Trainer cards

Items, Supporters, Stadiums, Pokémon Tools and more, used to draw, search your deck and change the board.

2,863 English cards Energy cards

Attached to Pokémon to pay for attacks.

568 English cards
Next: rarity symbols →Look up your own card by number →

Frequently asked questions

Where is the card number on a Pokémon card?

On the bottom line in the bottom-left corner, written as number/set size, for example 006/165. Together with the regulation mark and set code in front of it, it identifies one exact card.

What do the letters G and H on a card mean?

That's the regulation mark. It shows which rotation block the card belongs to, which tells you whether it can still be played in the Standard format.

What does HP mean on a Pokémon card?

HP is how much damage the Pokémon can take. When the damage on it reaches its HP, it is Knocked Out.

What do ex, V and GX mean?

They are special Pokémon cards from different eras. They usually have more HP and stronger attacks, but your opponent takes extra Prize cards when one is Knocked Out; a Pokémon ex gives up 2.