Pokémon TCG Special Conditions are visually simple but easy to resolve in the wrong sequence. Poisoned, Burned, Asleep, Paralyzed and Confused do not all use the same timing. Some require markers, others change the card’s orientation, and Confusion is checked when an attack is attempted. A fixed routine prevents missed damage and unnecessary coin flips.
This guide builds on our Pokémon TCG setup and first-turn method. It is designed for tabletop play; the current official rules and exact card text remain authoritative.
Start with one rule: only the Active Pokémon is affected
A Special Condition applies to the Active Pokémon. Mark it immediately. When that Pokémon moves to the Bench, all its Special Conditions are removed. Evolution also clears them. Healing damage alone does not remove a condition unless an effect explicitly says so.
Poisoned and Burned use separate markers and can coexist with an orientation-based condition. Asleep, Paralyzed and Confused use different orientations, so only one of those three can be represented at a time.
| Condition | How to show it | When to check | Key point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poisoned | Poison marker | Pokémon Checkup | Place damage counters as instructed |
| Burned | Burn marker | Pokémon Checkup | Flip a coin and apply the current rule |
| Asleep | Turn card left | Pokémon Checkup | Cannot attack or retreat |
| Paralyzed | Turn card right | End of its owner’s next turn | Cannot attack or retreat that turn |
| Confused | Turn card upside down | When it tries to attack | Coin flip decides whether the attack proceeds |
Run Pokémon Checkup in a fixed order
Between turns, perform Pokémon Checkup. Use the same visible order every time: Poisoned, Burned, Asleep, then Paralyzed. Finish one condition before moving to the next and check for Knock Outs after placing damage counters.
- Poisoned: place the damage counters required by the general rule or the effect that caused Poison.
- Burned: flip a coin and apply the official result; keep the marker until Burn is removed.
- Asleep: flip a coin. On the successful result, turn the Pokémon upright; otherwise it stays Asleep.
- Paralyzed: turn it upright at the end of its owner’s next turn.
- Knock Out: compare damage counters with HP after every addition.
Counters placed by Poison or Burn are not attack damage, so do not apply Weakness or Resistance. Revisit our Pokémon TCG Weakness and Resistance guide for that calculation.
Check Confusion when the Pokémon attacks
Confusion is not resolved during Pokémon Checkup. When a Confused Pokémon tries to attack, announce the attack, confirm its Energy requirement and make the required coin flip. Apply the result once for that attack attempt. Do not repeat it for each effect of the attack.
A Confused Pokémon may retreat if it can pay the Retreat Cost and no effect prevents it. Once on the Bench, Confusion disappears. An Asleep or Paralyzed Pokémon cannot retreat normally, although an effect that switches Pokémon may still work.
The Poke-Geek method: announce, display, check
- Name the Special Condition as soon as it is created.
- Place the marker or rotate the card before the next action.
- Keep HP, damage counters, condition markers and Retreat Cost visible.
- Point to each Pokémon Checkup step in the same order.
- Announce each coin result and correct the card orientation.
- Remove every condition immediately after Evolution or moving to the Bench.
Common mistakes
Applying Weakness to Poison
Weakness and Resistance modify attack damage in the situations printed on the card. Pokémon Checkup counters follow their own rules.
Removing a condition when damage is healed
Healing counters does not clear a condition unless the effect says so. Keep the marker or orientation until a valid removal event occurs.
Keeping conditions on the Bench
As soon as the affected Pokémon leaves the Active Spot, remove all conditions. They do not return if it becomes Active again.
Stacking Asleep, Paralyzed and Confused
A new orientation-based condition replaces the previous one. Poison and Burn markers remain independent.
Turn-boundary checklist
- Is the affected Pokémon still Active?
- Are Poison and Burn markers distinct from damage counters?
- Does the orientation match Asleep, Paralyzed or Confused?
- Was Pokémon Checkup resolved as Poison, Burn, Sleep, Paralysis?
- Must a Knock Out be completed before the next turn?
- Did Evolution, retreat or switching remove the conditions?
A French Pokémon Battle Academy box is a practical way to rehearse the routine with ready-to-play decks. Simulate Poison plus Sleep, Burn followed by switching, and a Confused attack. The goal is a visible shared sequence, not a hidden memory test.
Try it now: prepare two clearly labelled condition markers and write the Pokémon Checkup order on a small reference card.