Pokémon TCG glossary: words every player should know
- Active Spot
- Where your fighting Pokémon sits. Only the Active Pokémon can attack.
- Bench
- Up to 5 Pokémon waiting to come in.
- Prize cards
- Six cards set aside at the start. Take them by Knocking Out your opponent's Pokémon.
- Knock Out
- When a Pokémon has damage equal to or more than its HP.
- HP
- Hit Points — how much damage a Pokémon can take.
- Retreat Cost
- Energy you discard to swap your Active Pokémon with one on your Bench.
- Supporter
- A strong Trainer card — only one per turn.
- Item
- A Trainer card you can play as many times as you like in a turn.
- Stadium
- A Trainer card that stays in play and affects both players.
- Pokémon Tool
- A card you attach to a Pokémon to give it a bonus.
- ACE SPEC
- Very powerful cards — only one per deck.
- Pokémon ex
- Powerful Pokémon that give up 2 Prize cards when Knocked Out.
- Mega Evolution Pokémon ex
- Even stronger Pokémon that give up 3 Prize cards.
- Regulation mark
- The letter on a card that decides if it's legal in Standard.
- Standard
- The main tournament format, using recent cards only.
- Expanded
- A format that allows many more older cards.
- Meta
- The decks most people are playing right now.
Pully Play is an independent fan guide. It isn't run by The Pokémon Company. Format facts are checked against official announcements; always confirm card legality with the official rules before a tournament.