When can you retreat a Pokémon?
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You can retreat a Pokémon during your turn by discarding Energy cards from your Active Pokémon equal to its Retreat Cost, and then switching it with a Pokémon from your Bench. This action allows you to change your Active Pokémon, but it does not heal the retreating Pokémon or remove damage counters, although it does remove Special Conditions such as Poison, Confusion, or Sleep.
Understanding Retreat Rules
To retreat a Pokémon, you must follow specific rules. First, you need to discard Energy cards attached to your Active Pokémon based on its Retreat Cost. If the Pokémon has no Retreat Cost listed, it can retreat for free. After discarding the required Energy, you switch the retreating Pokémon with one from your Bench. It’s crucial to remember that you can only retreat once per turn. If you want to change your Active Pokémon again, you will need to use a trainer card or an ability that allows you to do so.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you retreat a Pokémon when it’s not your turn?
No, you can only retreat a Pokémon during your turn. The action of retreating is part of your turn sequence and is subject to the rule that you can only retreat once per turn.
2. Can you retreat if your bench is full?
Yes, you can still retreat a Pokémon even if your Bench is full. You are essentially swapping your Active Pokémon with one that is already on the Bench, so the Bench not being full is not a requirement for retreating.
3. When you retreat a Pokémon, does it heal?
No, retreating a Pokémon does not remove damage counters or heal the Pokémon in any way. However, it does remove Special Conditions like Poison, Confusion, Sleep, or any other conditions resulting from an opponent’s attack.
4. What are the rules for asleep Pokémon?
If a Pokémon is Asleep, it cannot attack or retreat. Between turns, you flip a coin, and if you flip heads, the Pokémon wakes up, but if you flip tails, it remains Asleep.
5. Can you retreat if your Pokémon is asleep?
No, an Asleep or Paralyzed Pokémon cannot retreat. These Special Conditions prevent the Pokémon from taking actions that require it to be active or able to move.
6. How do you use retreat in Pokémon?
To retreat, you must discard Energy from your Active Pokémon equal to its Retreat Cost, then switch it with a Pokémon from your Bench. You can still attack with your new Active Pokémon during the same turn.
7. How many times can you retreat?
You can only retreat once per turn. However, you can use switch effects or abilities like Keldeo EX’s Rush In as many times as you like, as these do not count as retreating.
8. Can you retreat a Pokémon twice?
No, you can only retreat once per turn. Using cards like Switch, Bird Keeper, or Escape Rope, or abilities that allow switching, does not count towards your one retreat per turn limit.
9. Can you retreat if you’re confused?
Yes, a Confused Pokémon can retreat normally. When you retreat a Confused Pokémon, it loses its Confusion status, but remember, when attacking with a Confused Pokémon, you flip a coin, and on tails, your Pokémon receives 3 damage counters.
10. Can you evolve a Pokémon twice in one turn?
No, you cannot evolve a Pokémon twice in one turn. When you evolve a Pokémon, it is considered a new Pokémon in play, and you cannot evolve it again during the same turn.
11. Can you evolve multiple Pokémon in one turn?
The rules do not explicitly limit the number of evolutions per turn for different Pokémon. However, each Pokémon can only evolve once per turn, and you cannot evolve on your first turn unless a card allows it.
12. What happens if you have no basic Pokémon?
If you don’t have a basic Pokémon in your hand at the start of the game, you can have a mulligan, showing your hand to your opponent, putting it back into your deck, shuffling, and drawing a new starting hand until you draw a basic Pokémon.
13. How many times can you retreat a Pokémon per turn?
You can only retreat once per turn. If you need to change your Active Pokémon again, you must use a trainer card or an ability that allows switching.
14. What is a retreat cost in Pokémon?
A retreat cost is the number of Energy cards that must be discarded from a Pokémon to retreat. This cost ranges from 0 (a free retreat) to 5 Energy.
15. Can you retreat a Pokémon with no Energy attached?
No, you cannot retreat a Pokémon that does not have enough Energy attached to meet its Retreat Cost. You must have the required amount of Energy to discard for the retreat to be possible.
By understanding these rules and FAQs, you can better navigate the complexities of retreating in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, enhancing your strategy and gameplay experience. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, knowing when and how to retreat a Pokémon is a crucial skill that can significantly influence the outcome of your games.