Black & White Pokémon Trading Card Game Rules (2024)

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Black & White Pokémon Trading Card Game Rules
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The Black & White Pokémon Trading Card Game Rules is a rulebook for the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The version released for , and every set thereafter, is not a "book" in the sense of bound pages between two covers. Instead, it is designed to be read in digital form, and formatted to match. (Products from Black & White onward include rulesheets instead of rulebooks.)

Additionally, this edition is an overall refresh of the rulebook's contents. All of the text was generally all redone. Example cards are not shown with a tilt. (The one case where this is true includes the card's final position where it is not tilted.) The section "What's New in..." was removed, replaced by a "Become A Pokémon Master!" section about the TCG as a whole. Removals compared to prior books include the index and the credits.

As before, explanations of mechanics are accompanied by card images, playmats, counters, and artwork of characters and Pokémon.

Contents

  • 1 Contents
    • 1.1 Become A Pokémon Master!
    • 1.2 Pokémon TCG Basic Concepts
    • 1.3 Parts of a Pokémon Card
    • 1.4 Zones of the Pokémon TCG
    • 1.5 Playing the Game
    • 1.6 Pokémon Leagues and Trainer Kits
    • 1.7 Advanced Rules
    • 1.8 Deck Building
    • 1.9 Glossary
  • 2 Other variations
  • 3 Trivia
  • 4 External Links

Contents

Become A Pokémon Master!

A short section explaining the main ideas of Pokémon and the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Pokémon TCG Basic Concepts

A paragraph explaining how to win, followed by a page with a blurb for each of the game's Energy types. The first paragraph is paired with pictures of Hilbert and Hilda.

Parts of a Pokémon Card

A section showing an example of a Pokémon and a Trainer card, with labels to highlight each of the features on the cards. It is followed by an explanation of the three card types: Pokémon, Trainer, and Energy.

Zones of the Pokémon TCG

Similarly, this section shows a playmat with labels identifying each of the game's zones. The playmat is Black & White themed, featuring Reshiram and Zekrom. The labels include a blurb describing the zone's purpose. There is an additional blurb for the Hand.

Playing the Game

The longest section of the book, going through the core rules of the TCG. First, it summarizes how to win a game and how to start a game. Then it provides a list of the actions that are done during a turn, as well as a section elaborating on each action. Actions that must take place in a specific order are numbered, while actions that can be done in any order within that portion of the turn are marked by letters. The steps involved in executing an attack are also given letter designations. The steps for attacking are checking for Energy, checking for Weakness and Resistance, and placing damage counters equal to the damage. Lastly, the game describes the in-between turns step and Special Conditions. Some asides in this section are narrated by Professor Juniper.

Pokémon Leagues and Trainer Kits

This short section points players to their local game store and Pokémon League. It also advises purchasing a Trainer Kit for additional assistance.

Advanced Rules

A number of miscellaneous notes on the game's rules are in this section. This includes:

  • Definition of an attack, which clarifies elements that are not attacks like Abilities.
  • A more detailed version of the steps for performing attacks.
  • Two key questions:"What if you should draw more cards than you have?" and "What if both players win at the same time?"
  • A definition of Sudden Death, clarifying one result of "What if both players win at the same time?"
  • A section going over which phrases and symbols are or are not part of a Pokémon's name.

Deck Building

A section going over the rules and providing basic tips on how to build a deck.

Glossary

A section with definitions for 46 different terms in the game. This section uses a two-column layout reminiscent of the older books.

Other variations

Every book has variations released for most TCG expansions. The variations on this book, and any additions they made, are as follows:

  • Emerging Powers
  • Noble Victories
  • Next Destinies: Adds the Appendix A section for Pokémon-EX.
  • Dark Explorers
  • Dragons Exalted: Adds Dragon as an Energy type.

An unknown book before Next Destinies added an Appendix section for Restored Pokémon.

Trivia

  • Magby from Triumphant is included to show an example of an attack with a cost of 0, as the only non-Black & White Series card in the book.

External Links

Publications relating to the Pokémon Trading Card Game

Strategy guides:Pokémon Trading Card Game Strategy GuideThe Official Pokémon Trading Card Game Guide
Pokémon Trading Card Game Player's GuidePokémon Trading Card Game Fossil Expansion Player's Guide
Pokémon Trading Card Game Volume 3: Team RocketPokémon Made Simple!Let's Play Pokémon
Team Rocket Strategy GuideGym Heroes Strategy GuideGym Challenge Strategy Guide
Platinum Player's GuidePlasma Storm Player's GuidePlasma Blast Player's GuideXY Player's Guide
Quick Guide to Fire-Type PokémonFurious Fists Player's GuidePhantom Forces Player's GuidePrimal Clash Player's Guide
Roaring Skies Player's GuideAncient Origins Player's GuideBREAKthrough Player's GuideBREAKpoint Player's Guide
Fates Collide Player's GuideGenerations Player's GuideSteam Siege Player's GuideEvolutions Player's Guide
Guardians Rising Player's GuideBurning Shadows Player's GuideThe Making of Shining Legends
Crimson Invasion Player's GuideUltra Prism Player's GuideForbidden Light Player's GuideCelestial Storm Player's Guide
Dragon Majesty Player's GuideDragon Majesty: Dragons Then and NowLost Thunder Player's GuideTeam Up Player's Guide
Unbroken Bonds Player's GuideUnified Minds Player's GuideHidden Fates Player's GuideCosmic Eclipse Player's Guide
Rebel Clash Player's GuideDarkness Ablaze Player's GuideVivid Voltage Player's Guide
Shining Fates Player's GuideBattle Styles Player's GuideChilling Reign Player's GuideEvolving Skies Player's Guide
Celebrations Player's Guide
Collectors' guides:Beckett Unofficial Guide to Pokémon: 2008 Price Guide
Collecting Pokémon: An Unauthorized Handbook and Price GuidePokémon Collector's Value Guide
Pokémon Unofficial Card Collector's GuideUnofficial Beckett Pokémon Collector Price Guide
Magazines:Beckett Pokémon Unofficial CollectorMonthly Coin Toss: Pokémon Card MagazinePokémon Official Magazine
Pokémon Card Fan Club
Manga:Pokémon Card GB The ComixHow I Became a Pokémon CardHimemaru: Pokémon Card ExplorerAim to Be a Card Master!!
Pokémon Card Game Battle ComicExciting Victory! Pokémon Card Game!!Let's Play the Pokémon Card Game XY!

Video game guides:Official Pokémon TCG Perfect GuidePokémon Card GB Final Tactical BookPokémon Card GB Official Guidebook
Pokémon Card GB2 Official GuidebookPokémon TCG: Official Nintendo Player's Guide
Pokémon TCG: Prima's Official Strategy Guide
Other:Pokémon Card Official Book 2000Pokémon Card Game BW National Illustrated Encyclopedia
Pokémon Card Game BW WorkbookIllust Story
This article is part of Project TCG, a Bulbapedia project that aims to report on every aspect of the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

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