Don’t know what are Prize cards in Pokemon TCG? We’ll give you everything you need to know about these cards, including what you can do with them during a match.
Pokemon TCG is a card game that simulates a Pokemon battle, with some mechanics that make it unique and compelling. One particular example of basic mechanics that new players should learn is the usage and purpose of Prize cards.
If you’ve never heard about Prize cards before, there’s a good chance that you’ve already seen them on specific cards like Pokemon ex.
This is because special Pokemon cards have a rule box, which often affects the Prize card mechanics.
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What Are Prize Cards in Pokemon TCG?
Prize cards are the six cards that you have face down on the table before a game begins. Every time you Knock Out one of your opponent’s Pokemon, you can take a Prize card and add it to your hand. You win the game once you take all of your Prize cards, which is equivalent to scoring six Knock Outs.
Note: Some cards, like Pokemon ex and Pokemon V-Star, have rule boxes saying that if such Pokemon gets Knocked Out, your opponent will get two Prize cards instead of one.
Prize cards are usually placed on the left side of the table. Drawing and placing Prize cards should start after you and your opponent draw seven cards and play any number of Basic Pokemon face down.
Once you and your opponent have placed your Prize cards, you can begin the game by revealing all of your Active and Benched Pokemon, face up on the table.
Basically, any card in your deck can become a Prize card, and sometimes, a Prize card can give you an advantage since it’s literally a free additional card that you get apart from the ones that you draw every turn.
Do You Keep Prize Cards in Pokemon TCG?
Yes, you can keep and use Prize cards in Pokemon TCG once you get one by scoring a Knock Out.
If you’re lucky, a Prize card can end up being a crucial piece for you to get more Knock Outs, like, for example, finding a powerful Stage 2 Pokemon card or a Special Energy from a Prize card pull.
What Do Pokemon Prize Cards Look Like?
Prize cards look just like regular Pokemon cards that you can draw from your deck. They can be any type of Pokemon card, Trainer card, or Energy card.
Can You Look at Your Prize Cards in Pokemon TCG?
No, Prize cards shall be randomly picked after a Knock Out. However, it’s possible to speculate which of your cards became the Prize cards by checking the cards that you already played, the cards on your discard pile, and the remaining cards in your deck.
Other Ways to Get Prize Cards
Apart from taking out your opponent’s Pokemon, there are other ways of obtaining Prize cards in the game, such as by using Pokemon moves and abilities.
Here are some examples of cards that directly affect the Prize card mechanics in Pokemon TCG:
Chansey from 151
Chansey’s Lucky Bonus ability makes you wish that you’ll get Chansey as one of your Prize cards in-game.
If you got this Chancey for a Prize card, you can put this card on your Bench and flip a coin. If the coin ends up being heads, you can get another Prize card, which can bring you closer to victory.
Umbreon ex from Prismatic Evolutions
Discarding all the Energy attached to Umbreon lets you use its Onyx move, which allows you to take a Prize card without Knocking Out an opposing Pokemon.
Hisuian Heavy Ball from Astral Radiance
This Item card is so OP that it breaks the rule of not knowing the Prize cards you have in a game. Hisuian Heavy Ball lets you know all the Prize cards you have, and if you have a Basic Pokemon as a Prize card, you can add it to your hand and put Hisuian Heavy Ball in its place.
Jirachi Prism Star from Celestial Storm
Jirachi Prism Star’s ability got the exact effect of the 151 Chansey. Pretty neat ability, huh? Although this card is much more powerful, thanks to its Perish Dream ability that instantly Knocks Out the receiving Pokemon at the end of your opponent’s turn.
Final Thoughts
We hope you finally understand the Prize card mechanics in Pokemon TCG. Getting all of your Prize cards is only one of the conditions of winning the game, as it’s also possible to take the win if your opponent doesn’t have any more Pokemon to play or if they run out of cards in their deck.
While considering what your Prize cards might be can help inform certain decisions, it’s generally safer to focus on the cards currently in your hand. The usefulness of your Prize cards heavily depends on the cards you added to your deck, so don’t forget to make your deck as competitive as possible.
If you’re looking for more guides, tips, and basic questions about Pokemon TCG, PokeCardHQ is the best online hub for you! Feel free to check out our other articles, especially those about the Pokemon TCG rules and latest card sets.
