Gameplay » Evolving/Devolving
Evolution effects may take place on the first turn of the game, unless specifically stated on the card. This will affect Trainer cards, Poké-Powers, and effects of attacks. In the past, it was ruled that such an effect would have to state "This may be used on the first turn of the game." The correct usage is the card would have to specifically state "This may not be used on the first turn of the game."
Source: PUI Rules Team (2004-07-22), PUI Rules Update (2004-07-30)
Trainers » Rare Candy
Does Rare Candy override evolution-preventing effects such as Fossil Aerodactyl's "Prehistoric Power"?
Yes, you can use Rare Candy when Aerodactyl's Prehistoric Power is in play.
Source: PUI Rules Team (2003-09-18), PUI Rules Team (2004-07-22)
Errata » Ascension
EX Hidden Legends Feebas is receiving errata for its "Ascension" attack to bring it in line with the Japanese version of the card. It should read, "Flip a coin. If heads, search your deck for a card that evolves from Feebas and put it on Feebas. (This counts as evolving Feebas.) Shuffle your deck afterward." Please note that this only affects Feebas; Vulpix's "Ascension" attack does not require a coin flip.
Source: PUI Rules Team (2004-07-22)
Errata » Darkness Chant
Does Darkness Chant require the owning player to count either Basics OR Evolutions in the discard pile, or can both be counted together?
The attack is intended to count both Basics AND Evolutions, not one or the other.
Source: PUI Rules Team (2004-06-17)
Trainers » Junk Arm
Can I use Junk Arm if there aren't any trainer cards already in the Discard Pile?
No, you cannot play Junk Arm unless there is at least one Trainer card other than Junk Arm already in the Discard Pile beforehand.
Source: PUI Rules Team (2010-12-09), PUI Rules Team (2004-06-16)
Trainers » Rare Candy
Can I use Rare Candy on a Pokémon that was devolved on that same turn (i.e. Devolution Spray, Hyper Devolution Spray, etc.)?
No, you cannot. A Pokemon must be in play since the beginning of the turn in which you are using Rare Candy. A devolved Pokemon counts as just coming into play.
Source: PUI Rules Team (2004-06-03), PUI Rules Team (2004-06-09)
Trainers » Switch
The new modified rules state you may only retreat once per turn. If you use a trainer to Switch your Pokémon, can you still retreat that Pokémon? Or does the Switch count as your one retreat per turn?
Switch does not count as your one retreat per turn. If it did affect it, I would imagine it being written as "(This counts as retreating your Pokémon)".
Source: PUI Rules Team (2004-06-03)
Gameplay » Weakness and Resistance
At a recent tournament, the TO ruled that if a Pokémon has resistance to a particular type, and a dual-type Pokémon is that type and something else, it doesn't affect that Pokémon's attack at all. Is this true?
No. If a Pokémon has more than one type, each type still counts against the Defending Pokémon's Weaknesses or Resistances.
Source: PUI Rules Team (2004-05-20)
Gameplay » Searching (Deck or Discard)
Is a player allowed to count the number of cards in his/her deck during a game, provided he/she doesn't change the order of the cards? And if so, is it permissible to count your opponent's deck as well?
Yes, the number of cards in both your and your opponent's deck are public information. Although it is recommended that the player counts his or her cards during their opponent's turn, in a manner that doesn't disrupt or slow down the game.
Source: PUI Rules Team (2004-05-06)
Errata » Pokemon Reversal
The wording on the "Pokémon Reversal" trainer changed significantly between the Expedition version and the EX:Ruby/Sapphire version. How should we play this card? Do we play each one "as written", or should we play them all the way the latest (or older) version of the card says?
It should read like the Expedition version, with a slight tweak to make it 2-on-2 applicable. "Choose 1 of your opponent's Benched Pokémon. Flip a coin. If heads, your opponent switches that Pokémon. with 1 of his or her Defending Pokémon." The opponent chooses the defending, but the person playing the card chooses the benched.
Source: PUI Rules Team (2004-04-08)