Is it Better to Go First or Second? | Differences in Going First

Player turns are decided randomly through a coin toss in Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket (PTCG Pocket). Read on for the advantages and strategies of going first or second in card battles!

Is There a Difference Between Going First and Going Second?

You Cannot Use Energy If You Go First

The only difference between going first and going second in Pokemon Battles is who gets to place energy on their cards. The player who starts the battle does not get energy from the energy zone. Meanwhile, the second player immediately gains energy, which gives them the advantage of attacking on their first turn.

Energy Zone Explained

Both Players Cannot Evolve Pokemon During Their First Turn

Just like in the TCG, players are not allowed to evolve pokemon during the first turn a card comes into play. They will only be able to evolve in the turn after.

Battle System Explained

Supporter Cards Can Help You Attack On The First Turn

Card	Description
Misty	Choose 1 of your Water Pokemon, and flip a coin until you get tails. For each heads, take a Water Energy from your Energy Zone and attach it to that Pokemon.

If you go first in battle, use supporter cards that will help you generate energy without the energy zone. Supporter cards like Misty will let you attach energy to pokemon, allowing you to attack even if you go first.

List of Supporter Cards

How to Decide Who Goes First?

Player Turns Are Decided by a Coin Toss at The Start of The Match

Player turns are determined randomly through a coin toss at the start of the game. There are no functions that will allow the player to choose whether they go first or second.

Who Gets the Advantage?

Going Second Lets You Attack First

The player who goes second will have the advantage of attacking during their turn. Since they had a rest turn, the second player will have energy generated in their energy zone, which allows them to perform more actions during their phase.

However, there are still ways for players to generate energy on their first turn like using supporter cards.

Going First Lets You Evolve Pokemon Faster

Gardevoir

Charizard ex

Exeggutor ex

Going first will allow you to evolve pokemon in your next turn. If you place down your base pokemon on your first turn, you will be able to evolve quicker due to the game rules. This will make up for the energy difference between you and your opponent, so make sure to build your deck wisely with this in mind!

Deck Building Guide

Rare Instance Where You Can Do A 1-Turn Kill on the First Move

Cards Needed
Misty	Articuno ex

If you are using an Articuno ex deck, there is a chance that you can defeat your opponent on your first turn. If you have no pokemon on the battle set, you automatically lose the game so this strategy gives you an instant win.

You Still Get a Big Advantage Even if You Don't Instant KO Your Opponent

It is very difficult to set up a one-hit win, but you can still knock down a lot of HP even if you do not defeat your opponent's pokemon. In cases like these, we highly recommend using the Articuno ex deck if you want a starting turn advantage in battle.

Best Decks Tier List

Pokemon TCG Pocket Related Guides

Battle Guides

Battle Guides