Evolution: Difference between revisions

'''Evolution''' in the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] is very similar in some aspects to [[evolution|its counterpart]] in the [[main series]]. However, it differs mostly in the fact that there are no different methods needed to evolve a Pokémon, but instead, all Pokémon evolve simply by placing the next stage on top of a Pokémon in play that it evolves into.

Pokémon cannot be evolved on the first turn of the game or on the first turn they come into play. They also cannot be evolved if on the same turn they were previously evolved or devolved.

==Stages of evolution==

There are four different stages of evolution in the TCG, Baby Pokémon, Basic Pokémon, Stage 1 Pokémon, and Stage 2 Pokémon. Of these, only Baby and Basic Pokémon may be placed onto the Bench during the setup phase and during play; Stage 1 and Stage 2 Pokémon are considered to be evolution cards and therefore unable to be played except on top of their corresponding pre-evolved forms. The stage of evolution is indicated in a conspicuous place on each and every Pokémon card, though the placement differs among the four generations of cards.

Within the deck and discard pile, only Stage 1 and Stage 2 cards are considered to be "evolution cards" for the purpose of a Trainer card or Pokémon Power which allows them to be searched for. In play, a Basic Pokémon card can be considered an evolution card if it is evolved from its Baby stage.

===Baby Pokémon===

A Baby Pokémon is much the same in the TCG as it is in the main series of games. In fact, as with baby Pokémon released beyond [[Generation II]], it is not even necessary for a Pokémon to even go through this stage of their evolutionary line, as the Pokémon can just start from their basic form. Baby Pokémon are among the weakest in the TCG, most often having 30 HP, as well as a special {{TCG|Poké-Power}} that forces a Pokémon attempting to attack the Baby Pokémon to flip a coin. If that coin ends up tails, the attack does nothing.

===Basic Pokémon===

A Basic Pokémon is the most basic of Pokémon cards, as can be deduced from its name. Commonly basic Pokémon will have low HP, a common rarity, and low damage and {{TCG|Energy card|Energy}} costs. These cards can be placed directly into play without another Pokémon card needing to be in play first. Pokémon that evolve from a Pokémon released in a later generation, such as {{p|Electabuzz}} or {{p|Pikachu}}, always are basic Pokémon, despite being the second Pokémon in their own evolutionary lines. A [[#Baby Pokémon|Baby Pokémon]] is always considered as Basic.

===Stage 1 Pokémon===

A Stage 1 Pokémon are the first kind of evolution card, being able to be evolved from a Basic Pokémon. Stage 1 cards are most commonly uncommon in rarity. Stage 1 Pokémon are also able to be {{TCG|Dark Pokémon}} and {{TCG|Light Pokémon}}.

A Stage 2 Pokémon is the highest of evolution cards, commonly rare or holographic in rarity, and can only, in normal conditions, be evolved from a Stage 1 Pokémon. Stage 2 Pokémon are also able to be {{TCG|Dark Pokémon}} and {{TCG|Light Pokémon}}.

==Ability to evolve==

A Pokémon card that is in the player's hand must say specifically that it evolves from a Pokémon card that is in play on the player's side. For example, {{TCG ID|Team Rocket|Dark Blastoise|3}} states on the card "'''Evolves from Dark Wartortle'''". This means that any card named Dark Wartortle may be evolved into Dark Blastoise. However, a card named just Wartortle cannot. Likewise, Pokémon such as {{TCG ID|EX Emerald|Rhyhorn|62}} cannot be evolved into a Pokémon that says on it "'''Evolves from Team Magma's Rhyhorn'''".

However, Pokémon cards from different sets may evolve into one another. For example, {{TCG ID|Neo Destiny|Dark Crobat|2}} can evolve from either {{TCG ID|Team Rocket|Dark Golbat|7}} of the {{TCG|Team Rocket}} set or {{TCG ID|EX Team Rocket Returns|Dark Golbat|34}} of the {{TCG|EX Team Rocket Returns}} set. As long as the card that is to be evolved is named exactly what the card that it will be evolved into says that it evolves from (in this case, '''Dark Golbat'''), the evolution is legal. This rule, of course, can be circumvented by certain means, such as {{TCG|Pokémon Power}}s and {{TCG|Trainer card}}s, however, this is not common.

[[Category:TCG]]