How Do Retreat Costs Work?

A Pokemon may leave the Active Spot and return to the Bench to save itself from getting knocked out in Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket (PTCG Pocket). Read on to learn all about Retreat Costs and why a well-timed Retreat can lead you to victory!

How Do Retreat Costs Work?

Discard Energy From Your Active Pokemon to Return it to the Bench

You will find information about your Pokemon on the lower part of the card, namely its Weakness and Retreat Cost. Its Retreat Cost indicates how many Energies must be discarded for it to return to your Bench.

Basic Pokemon will usually have low Retreat Costs, while Evolved Pokemon will have higher Retreat Costs.

Energy Zone Explained

Pokemon Can Retreat Only Once per Turn

Pokemon can only withdraw once per turn. You cannot have a pokemon with no energy switch between the bench and the active spot.

Use the X Speed to Reduce the Retreat Cost

Card	Description
X Speed	During this turn, the Retreat Cost of your Active Pokemon is 1 less.

The X Speed can help reduce the retreat cost of a pokemon card by 1 energy. For example, if it costs 3 energy to retreat, then the X Speed can lower the retreat cost to 2.

There will be instances where you need to make a strategic retreat so an X Speed is a must-have card in your deck.

List of Item Cards

You Cannot Escape if You Are Paralyzed or Asleep

If a pokemon is asleep or paralyzed, they will not be able to retreat until they pass a coin toss, wait for the turn to end, or evolve. If you have a Weezing or Muk on the battlefield, you can bypass both status effects using the supporter card Koga.

List of Supporter Cards

When to Use Retreat

Retreat When a Pokemon Has Low HP

Be sure to switch pokemon out of the Active Spot when they have low HP. If a pokemon has taken a super-effective hit, use retreat to deny points to your opponent.

How Do Types Work

Switch Out with Pokemon You Trained on the Bench

By retreating, you can switch out damaged pokemon for pokemon you have been building on the bench. Make sure you are building your bench along your active pokemon so you do not lose momentum when you retreat during battle!

Battle System Explained

Recover from Status Conditions

Retreating will help pokemon recover from the Poison status effect. This is the only status effect that can be cured through retreating in Pokemon TCG Pocket but more may be added in future updates.

Pokemon TCG Pocket Related Guides

Battle Guides

Battle Guides

Status Effect Guides

All Status Effects Explained
Poison	Sleep	Paralysis