Pokemon TCG Pocket: Understanding Paralysis and All 'Paralyze' Ability Cards

Quick Links

• What Is 'Paralyzed' in Pokemon TCG Pocket?

• Which Cards Have the Paralysis Ability?

• How Do You Recover from Paralyzed?

• What Is the Best Paralyze Deck?

Pokemon TCG Pocket brings the thrill of collecting and battling with Pokemon cards into the digital world, effectively mirroring the dynamics of the physical game. Among its features is the Paralyzed effect, a powerful condition that a select few Pokemon can inflict. Although Pokemon TCG Pocket tweaks the Paralysis mechanic slightly, the essence remains true to the original. Dive into our comprehensive guide for a detailed exploration of this Special Condition, including its mechanics, recovery methods, and strategies for deck building.

What Is 'Paralyzed' in Pokemon TCG Pocket?

In Pokemon TCG Pocket, Paralyzed is a Special Condition that locks down your opponent's Active Pokemon for a full turn. When a Pokemon is Paralyzed, it can neither attack nor retreat, leaving it vulnerable and stuck in the Active Spot until the effect wears off. The Paralysis condition is lifted automatically after the opponent's next Checkup, right before your subsequent turn.

Paralyzed vs. Asleep

CloseWhile both Paralyze and Asleep prevent the opponent's Pokemon from taking action, they differ in their recovery methods. A Paralyzed Pokemon recovers automatically after the next Checkup, whereas an Asleep Pokemon requires a successful coin toss (heads) to wake up. Additionally, opponents can use specific strategies, like Evolving the Pokemon or forcing it to retreat, to cure the Asleep condition.

Paralyzed Rules in Pokemon Pocket vs. Physical PTCG

In the physical Pokemon Trading Card Game, cards like Full Heal can negate the Paralyzed effect. Pokemon TCG Pocket currently lacks direct counter-Paralysis cards, but the core mechanics of the condition remain consistent: a Paralyzed Pokemon is immobilized for one turn.

Which Cards Have the Paralysis Ability?

- Pincurchin: Flip a coin. If heads, your opponent's Active Pokemon is now Paralyzed.

• Elektross: Flip a coin. If heads, your opponent's Active Pokemon is now Paralyzed.
• Articuno: Flip a coin. If heads, your opponent's Active Pokemon is now Paralyzed.

In the Genetic Apex expansion, only three cards can induce Paralysis: Pincurchin, Elektross, and Articuno. Each of these cards relies on a coin flip to activate the Paralyzed effect, introducing an element of randomness that makes building a deck around this condition challenging and somewhat unreliable.

How Do You Recover from Paralyzed?

There are four ways to recover from Paralysis in Pokemon TCG Pocket:

1. Wait for the next round: The Paralyzed effect automatically dissipates at the start of your next turn.
2. Evolve the Paralyzed Pokemon: Evolving the affected Pokemon is the fastest way to remove Paralysis.
3. Retreat the Paralyzed Pokemon: Using a card like Koga to force a retreat can also cure Paralysis, as Pokemon on the Bench cannot be affected by Special Conditions.
4. Use a Support card: Currently, Koga is the only Support card that can counter Paralysis, but it's limited to Weezing or Muk. Future expansions might introduce more counter options.

What Is the Best Paralyze Deck?

Building a deck around Paralyze alone isn't highly effective in Pokemon TCG Pocket's current meta. To boost its viability, you should combine it with the Asleep condition. A strong combination is the Articuno & Frosmoth deck, which leverages both Paralysis and Sleep effects through attacks from Articuno, Frosmoth, and Wigglytuff ex. Here's how to construct this hybrid Paralyze-Asleep deck:

Paralyze Deck Details