Trainers » Pokemon Catcher | Trainers » Trainers in General
Beginning with the Scarlet & Violet expansion, cards like Pokemon Catcher will now say "switch in 1 of your opponent's Benched Pokemon" to make it clear that the effect is on the Benched Pokemon. Likewise, the phrase "switch out" will be used if the effect is on the Active Pokemon. Older prints of these cards with different text that have the same game effect will therefore remain legal.
Source: Scarlet & Violet FAQ; TPCi Rules Team (2023-03-30)
Gameplay » Cards in General | Trainers » Trainers in General | Errata » Trainers in General
Beginning with the Scarlet & Violet expansion, "Pokemon Tool" will be its own category of Trainer card; Pokemon Tool cards will no longer be printed as Item cards. Pokemon Tool cards from all previous series will receive errata to align with this change, meaning that older Tool cards are no longer considered as "Item cards".
Source: TPCi Announcements (2022-12-12) [https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/2023-pokemon-tcg-standard-format-rotation-and-pokemon-tool-errata]; Scarlet & Violet FAQ; TPCi Rules Team (2023-03-30)
Trainers » Trainers in General
Can you choose the order of effects when playing a Tag Team Supporter, or do you have to do them in the order stated on the card?
You must do them in the order stated on the card. However, you don't have to meet the criteria for the first effect in order to do the second effect; for example, if the first effect says to search your deck but you don't have any cards in your deck you can still do the second effect as long as you meet its criteria.
Source: Cosmic Eclipse FAQ (2019-10-18), TPCi Rules Team (2019-10-31)
Trainers » Trainers in General
Can you play Professor Juniper or Fiery Torch, or any draw Trainer, with no cards in your deck?
No, you cannot play a Trainer when it is known that it will have no effect.
Source: TPCi Rules Team (2014-11-13)
Trainers » Trainers in General | Trainers » Ultra Ball
What's the proper way to play a Trainer like Ultra Ball?
When playing a Trainer you first put it onto the playing field (not directly into the Discard Pile). Then you do what the card says, such as discarding two cards (those go into the Discard Pile right away), searching your Deck, showing the selected Pokemon to your opponent before putting it directly into your hand, shuffling your Deck, etc. Finally, after everything is done, put the Trainer card into the Discard Pile.
Source: TPCi Rules Team (2014-09-18)
Trainers » Trainers in General
I have never had this come up and I can't find anything saying you can't, but can you attach 2 Technical Machines to the same Pokémon at the same time?
There are no restrictions on TM's that say you cannot, so yes you can.
Source: PUI Rules Team (2006-01-26)
Trainers » Trainers in General
Could I play a trainer if it's obvious that it will have no effect (i.e. Life Herb on a Pokémon without any damage and with no Special Conditions on it)?
No, you cannot play a card if it is obvious that you cannot do what the card is supposed to do at that moment.
Source: PUI Rules Team (2005-09-22)
Trainers » Trainers in General
Could I use the effect of a Stadium card already in play, then play a Stadium card from my hand to remove the old stadium, and still be able to use my new stadium's effect?
Yes, provided you have not already played a Stadium card that turn [and the new one has a different name].
Source: PUI Rules Team (2003-11-06)
Trainers » Trainers in General
Can you play 2 TM's together on your active Pokemon?
Yup. One attack per turn, doesn't matter if you have two copies of it. You can only use one cube to attack. You don't have two attacks.
Source: WotC Chat (2003-02-13)