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[[Image:PokéBallMajesticDawn85.jpg|thumb|right|A standard Trainer card as of the DPt era of the TCG.]]
[[File:ProfessorResearchScarletViolet189.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The layout of a Supporter from the Scarlet & Violet Series]]
A '''Trainer card''' is one of three types of card found in the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]], alongside {{TCG|Pokémon}} and {{TCG|Energy card}}s. While Pokémon cards do the direct attacking of an opponent's cards and Energy cards power their attacks, Trainers provide a more supportive role, allowing a player to search through their deck, draw cards, or other special effects.
A '''Trainer card''' is one of three types of card found in the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]], alongside {{TCG|Pokémon}} and {{TCG|Energy card}}s. While Pokémon cards do the direct {{TCG|Attack|attacking}} of an opponent's cards and Energy cards power their attacks, Trainers provide a more supportive role, allowing a player to search through their deck, draw cards, or other special effects. During a player's turn, they may play a Trainer card from their hand, follow its instructions, and then discard it.


==Types==
==Types==
Trainer cards can be divided into several different types.
Trainer cards can be divided into several different types.


===Trainer===
===Item===
The base type of Trainer, these cards usually involve searching of either the {{TCG|deck}} or {{TCG|discard pile}} (no card yet allows players to access the {{TCG|Lost Zone}}) for a card to put into easier access for the player. Most reprinted Trainer cards fall into this class, with staples like {{TCG ID|Jungle|Poké Ball|64}} and {{TCG ID|Fossil|Energy Search|59}} being used since the early days of the game, and later cards like {{TCG ID|EX Sandstorm|Rare Candy|88}} being based on cards released early on in effect.
{{main|Item card (TCG)}}
The original type of Trainer, a player can use as many Item cards as desired during their turn. Item cards have a wide range of effects and can be useful at any point in the game. Trainer cards that are not Supporters or Stadiums released before {{TCG|Black & White}} have been redefined as Item cards.
 
===Pokémon Tool===
{{main|Pokémon Tool card (TCG)}}
When the main series introduced [[held item]]s in [[Generation II]], Pokémon Tools were likewise introduced with the first Generation II set, {{TCG|Neo Genesis}}. Pokémon Tools are a special type of Trainer cards which function like held items; while a Pokémon Tool card is attached to a Pokémon, it provides the player or Pokémon with a special benefit. However, a Pokémon may have only one Pokémon Tool card attached to it at a time, and it may not be removed, unless specifically instructed. Up to the {{TCG|Sword & Shield}} Series, Pokémon Tools were classified as a type of Item card.
 
===Supporter===
{{main|Supporter card (TCG)}}
Supporter cards were introduced to international players in the {{TCG|Expedition Base Set}}. They are usually much more powerful than regular Item cards, and as such, a player may only use one Supporter card per turn. Like Stadium cards, Supporter cards were initially a subclass of Trainer cards until Diamond & Pearl, where it became its own class of card, only to once again become a subclass of Trainer cards with the release of {{TCG|Black & White}}.


===Stadium===
===Stadium===
{{main|Stadium card (TCG)}}
{{main|Stadium card (TCG)}}
Introduced in the {{TCG|Gym Heroes}} expansion, and formerly a subclass of Trainer card, Stadium cards represent the field of play, and may alter things slightly on both sides of the field. A Stadium card can usually only be removed from play when another Stadium card with a different name comes into play. Starting in the {{TCG|Diamond & Pearl}} expansion, Stadium cards became their own class of card, though they are still often grouped with Trainers by players, and no distinction is made from Trainer cards when they are compiled into an English set list.
Introduced in the {{TCG|Gym Heroes}} expansion, Stadium cards are used to affect the field of play. When a player uses a Stadium card, it remains on the field indefinitely and can usually only be removed from play when a new, different Stadium card is played, or if another card or effect says to discard the Stadium. When the {{TCG|Diamond & Pearl}} expansion was released, Stadium cards became their own class of card, separate from regular Trainer and Supporter cards. However, this was reversed upon the release of {{TCG|Black & White}}, and Stadium cards once again became a subclass of Trainer cards.
 
===Technical Machine===
{{main|List of Technical Machine cards}}
Also introduced to international players in the {{TCG|Expedition}} Base Set, Technical Machine cards playing a similar role to the [[TM|items of the same name]] in the main series games by giving a Pokémon a new attack to use. The Technical Machine card itself has an attack listed on it, and when it is attached to a Pokémon, that Pokémon can use that attack as its own during that turn. However, whether or not the Pokémon uses that attack, the Technical Machine card is generally discarded at the end of the player's turn.


===Supporter===
===ACE SPEC===
{{main|Supporter card (TCG)}}
{{main|ACE SPEC card (TCG)}}
Like Stadium cards, Supporter cards were formerly a subclass of Trainer until Diamond & Pearl. Following their introduction in the {{TCG|Expedition Base Set}}, they were widely used, despite the ruling that only one could be used per turn. This ruling was, of course, likely to prevent players from gaining too much draw power, as {{TCG ID|Base Set|Bill|91}} and {{TCG ID|Base Set|Professor Oak|88}} of the {{TCG|Base Set}} allowed.
Introduced in the {{TCG|Boundaries Crossed}} set, ACE SPEC cards represent some of the most extremely powerful Trainer cards in the game. However, they come with a special drawback: there can only be one ACE SPEC card in a deck. There are currently 13 ACE SPEC cards.


===Rocket's Secret Machine===
===Rocket's Secret Machine===
Cards with this subclass will usually depict a device used for [[Team Rocket]]'s evil acts. They have usually been released in expansions with a focus on Team Rocket, the first of which was {{TCG|Team Rocket|named for the organization}}.
{{main|List of Rocket's Secret Machine cards}}
 
Cards with this subclass will usually depict a device used for [[Team Rocket]]'s evil acts. They are usually released in expansions with a focus on Team Rocket, the first of which was the set {{TCG|Team Rocket|named after the organization}}. However, Rocket's Secret Machine cards are otherwise normal Items cards, with no special ruling or effects unique to them.
===Pokémon Tool===
In another similarity to the games' [[held item]]s, which were introduced in [[Generation II]], the Pokémon Tools released since the {{TCG|Neo Genesis}} expansion are attached to a Pokémon, and once their effect is used, are discarded.


===Goldenrod Game Corner===
===Goldenrod Game Corner===
While not much different from a standard Trainer card, cards in this subclass are based on games played in the [[Goldenrod Game Corner]], and thus their effect is largely based on luck. Only two cards in this subclass exist.
{{main|List of Goldenrod Game Corner cards}}
While not much different from a standard Trainer card, cards in this subclass are based on games played in the [[Goldenrod Game Corner]], and thus their effect is largely based on luck. Like Rocket's Secret Machine cards, Goldenrod Game Corner cards are normal Items cards and have no special ruling or effects unique to them. Only two cards of this subclass exist.


===Technical Machine===
==Related articles==
Playing a similar role to the [[TM|items of the same name]] in the games, a Technical Machine may be attached to a Pokémon card, and that Pokémon may then use the attack on the card as its own. Like in the games, most have a compatibility requirement (such as only being able to be used by cards of a certain {{TCG|Elemental types|type}}, or only by evolved Pokémon) and all those released before {{TCG|Legends Awakened}} are to be discarded from the Pokémon at the end of the turn they were played, no matter if the player had actually used the attack in question or not. These cards first saw a release in {{TCG|Pokémon VS}}; however, international audiences did not have access to them until the {{TCG|Expedition Base Set}}.
* [[List of English Trainer cards]]
* [[List of Japanese Trainer cards]]


==Related Articles==
[[Category:Trainer card classifications|*]]
[[Category:Trainer cards|*]]
[[Category:Pokémon Trading Card Game]]
[[Category:Pokémon trading card classifications]]


*{{TCG|List of all Trainer cards}}
{{Project TCG notice}}
*[[List of all Supporter cards]]
*[[List of all Rocket's Secret Machine Cards]]
*[[List of all Pokémon Tool Cards]]
*[[List of all Goldenrod Game Corner Cards]]
*[[List of all Technical Machine Cards]]


[[Category:TCG]]
[[de:Trainerkarte]]
[[Category:Trainer cards|*]]
[[es:Carta de Entrenador]]
[[fr:Carte Dresseur (JCC)]]
[[it:Carte Allenatore (GCC)]]
[[ja:トレーナーのカード]]
[[ja:トレーナーのカード]]
[[zh:训练家卡(TCG)]]

Latest revision as of 05:36, 22 March 2024

A Trainer card is one of three types of card found in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, alongside Pokémon and Energy cards. While Pokémon cards do the direct attacking of an opponent's cards and Energy cards power their attacks, Trainers provide a more supportive role, allowing a player to search through their deck, draw cards, or other special effects. During a player's turn, they may play a Trainer card from their hand, follow its instructions, and then discard it.

The layout of a Supporter from the Scarlet & Violet Series

Types

Trainer cards can be divided into several different types.

Item

Main article: Item card (TCG)

The original type of Trainer, a player can use as many Item cards as desired during their turn. Item cards have a wide range of effects and can be useful at any point in the game. Trainer cards that are not Supporters or Stadiums released before Black & White have been redefined as Item cards.

Pokémon Tool

Main article: Pokémon Tool card (TCG)

When the main series introduced held items in Generation II, Pokémon Tools were likewise introduced with the first Generation II set, Neo Genesis. Pokémon Tools are a special type of Trainer cards which function like held items; while a Pokémon Tool card is attached to a Pokémon, it provides the player or Pokémon with a special benefit. However, a Pokémon may have only one Pokémon Tool card attached to it at a time, and it may not be removed, unless specifically instructed. Up to the Sword & Shield Series, Pokémon Tools were classified as a type of Item card.

Supporter

Main article: Supporter card (TCG)

Supporter cards were introduced to international players in the Expedition Base Set. They are usually much more powerful than regular Item cards, and as such, a player may only use one Supporter card per turn. Like Stadium cards, Supporter cards were initially a subclass of Trainer cards until Diamond & Pearl, where it became its own class of card, only to once again become a subclass of Trainer cards with the release of Black & White.

Stadium

Main article: Stadium card (TCG)

Introduced in the Gym Heroes expansion, Stadium cards are used to affect the field of play. When a player uses a Stadium card, it remains on the field indefinitely and can usually only be removed from play when a new, different Stadium card is played, or if another card or effect says to discard the Stadium. When the Diamond & Pearl expansion was released, Stadium cards became their own class of card, separate from regular Trainer and Supporter cards. However, this was reversed upon the release of Black & White, and Stadium cards once again became a subclass of Trainer cards.

Technical Machine

Main article: List of Technical Machine cards

Also introduced to international players in the Expedition Base Set, Technical Machine cards playing a similar role to the items of the same name in the main series games by giving a Pokémon a new attack to use. The Technical Machine card itself has an attack listed on it, and when it is attached to a Pokémon, that Pokémon can use that attack as its own during that turn. However, whether or not the Pokémon uses that attack, the Technical Machine card is generally discarded at the end of the player's turn.

ACE SPEC

Main article: ACE SPEC card (TCG)

Introduced in the Boundaries Crossed set, ACE SPEC cards represent some of the most extremely powerful Trainer cards in the game. However, they come with a special drawback: there can only be one ACE SPEC card in a deck. There are currently 13 ACE SPEC cards.

Rocket's Secret Machine

Main article: List of Rocket's Secret Machine cards

Cards with this subclass will usually depict a device used for Team Rocket's evil acts. They are usually released in expansions with a focus on Team Rocket, the first of which was the set named after the organization. However, Rocket's Secret Machine cards are otherwise normal Items cards, with no special ruling or effects unique to them.

Goldenrod Game Corner

Main article: List of Goldenrod Game Corner cards

While not much different from a standard Trainer card, cards in this subclass are based on games played in the Goldenrod Game Corner, and thus their effect is largely based on luck. Like Rocket's Secret Machine cards, Goldenrod Game Corner cards are normal Items cards and have no special ruling or effects unique to them. Only two cards of this subclass exist.

Related articles


  This article is part of Project TCG, a Bulbapedia project that aims to report on every aspect of the Pokémon Trading Card Game.