How to Read a Pokémon Card: Every Part Explained
HP, energy symbols, weakness, retreat cost, set symbols, and that little regulation letter — a plain-English tour of everything printed on a Pokémon card.
The top row: name, HP, and type
Start at the top. The card’s name sits top-left, and its HP (hit points) sits top-right next to a small energy symbol showing the Pokémon’s type. HP tells you how much damage the Pokémon can take before it’s knocked out, and the type symbol (Fire, Water, Grass, and so on) determines which energy powers it and what it’s weak to.
On evolution cards, a small box near the name shows what the Pokémon evolves from, along with a thumbnail of the previous stage.
The middle: abilities and attacks
The center of the card lists any Ability (a special effect that isn’t an attack) and the Pokémon’s attacks. Each attack shows its energy cost on the left (the symbols you must attach to use it), the attack name, its damage on the right, and any extra effect below. Reading this section is how you understand what the card actually does in play.
The bottom row: weakness, resistance, retreat
Along the bottom sit three combat stats. Weakness shows a type that deals extra damage to this Pokémon (usually double). Resistance, if present, reduces damage from a type. Retreat cost is the number of energy you must discard to switch this Pokémon out. These matter for gameplay and are easy to overlook when you’re only collecting.
The identifiers: set symbol, number, rarity, and regulation mark
The bottom edge is where collectors look. You’ll find the set symbol and the collector number (like 4/102), which together identify exactly which set and card you’re holding. A small rarity symbol — circle, diamond, or star — indicates the rarity tier. Modern cards also carry a boxed regulation letter used for tournament legality, which conveniently helps date the card. Our guide on set symbols goes deeper on identifying any card from these marks.
The fine print: artist and copyright
Finally, the tiny text at the very bottom credits the illustrator and lists the copyright years. Collectors care about the artist — certain illustrators drive demand — and the copyright line can help confirm a card’s era and authenticity when two printings look similar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does HP mean on a Pokémon card?+
HP stands for hit points — the amount of damage a Pokémon can take before it’s knocked out in play. It’s printed at the top-right of the card next to the type symbol.
What is the little letter in a box on modern Pokémon cards?+
That’s the regulation mark, used to determine tournament legality. Each letter maps to roughly a year of releases, so it also helps you date a modern card at a glance.