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| '''Evolution''' in the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] is very similar in some aspects to its counterpart in the [[core 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. | | '''Evolution''' in the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] is very similar in some aspects to its counterpart in the [[core 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. |
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| 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. | | Normally, Pokémon cannot be evolved on the first turn of the game or on the first turn they come into play, as well evolve on the same turn they have previously evolved or devolved. |
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| ===Stages of evolution=== | | ===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. | | There are three main stages of evolution in the TCG along with its [[Pokémon (TCG)#Evolutionary stages|variants]]: |
| | *Basic Pokémon, which represent the most basic evolutionary stage. 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; |
| | *Stage 1 Pokémon, which represent evolution stages of Basic Pokémon and the basic stage of many [[Fossil Pokémon]]; |
| | *Stage 2 Pokémon, which represent the final evolutionary forms of Pokémon. |
| | Only {{TCG|Baby Pokémon|Baby}} and Basic Pokémon may be placed onto the Bench during the setup phase and during play; other 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 generations of cards. |
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| 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. | | Within the deck and discard pile, Pokémon cards that evolve from others are considered to be "evolution cards" for the purpose of effects that interact with them. In play, a Basic Pokémon card can be considered an evolution card if it is evolved from its Baby stage. |
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| ====Baby Pokémon====
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| {{main|Baby Pokémon#In the TCG|Baby Pokémon}}
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| A Baby Pokémon is much the same in the TCG as it is in the core 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 one of two special {{TCG|Poké-Body}}s: one prevents all damage done to the Baby Pokémon while it is Asleep (Baby Pokémon with this Poké-Body also usually have an attack that changes their status to Asleep), and the other forces a Pokémon attempting to attack the Baby Pokémon to flip a coin, the attack doing nothing if that coin ends up tails.
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| ====Basic Pokémon====
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| 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. [[Baby Pokémon]], {{TCG|Shining Pokémon}}, {{TCG|Pokémon ☆|Pokémon}} {{Star}}, {{TCG|Pokémon SP}}, and {{TCG|Pokémon-EX}} are always Basic, and the latter four cannot evolve.
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| ====Stage 1 Pokémon====
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| 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}}.
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| ====Stage 2 Pokémon====
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| 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}}.
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| ====Mega Evolution====
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| {{main|Mega Evolution#In the TCG|Mega Evolution}}
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| M Pokémon-EX cards were introduced in {{TCG|XY}} [[#Expansion|expansion]] and introduce the '''Mega Evolution''' mechanic featured in [[Pokémon X and Y]]. They are identified by a stylized {{Mega}} graphic on the card name. M Pokémon-EX can only be played by Mega Evolving from basic {{TCG|Pokémon-EX}}. Doing so ends a players {{DL|Appendix:Glossary (TCG)|Turn}} immediately. Other than this, M Pokémon-EX share the same rules and design as regular Pokémon-EX and evolving Pokémon, with the addition of boosted {{DL|Appendix:Glossary (TCG)|Hit Points}} and more powerful {{DL|Appendix:Glossary (TCG)|Attack}}s.
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| ===Ability to evolve=== | | ===Ability to evolve=== |