Pokemon TCG Pocket: Paralyzed, Explained (& All Cards with ‘Paralyze’ Ability)

This guide explores the Paralyze effect in Pokémon TCG Pocket, detailing its mechanics, cures, and optimal deck strategies.

Quick Links

• What is Paralyzed in Pokémon TCG Pocket?
• Which Cards Inflict Paralysis?
• How to Recover from Paralysis
• Building an Effective Paralyze Deck

Pokémon TCG Pocket faithfully recreates the Paralyze condition from the physical card game, albeit with slight adjustments. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of this special condition.

What is Paralyzed in Pokémon TCG Pocket?

Paralyze immobilizes the opponent's Active Pokémon for a turn, preventing attacks and retreats. The effect automatically ends before your next turn begins.

Paralyzed vs. Asleep

Both Paralyze and Asleep prevent attacks and retreats. However, Paralyze resolves automatically, while Asleep requires a coin flip or strategic counterplay to cure.

Paralyze in Pocket vs. Physical TCG

Unlike the physical game where cards like Full Heal remove Paralysis, Pokémon TCG Pocket currently lacks direct counters. The core mechanic, however, remains consistent: a Paralyzed Pokémon is inactive for one turn.

Which Cards Inflict Paralysis?

Currently, only Pincurchin, Elektross, and Articuno in the Genetic Apex expansion inflict Paralysis. Each relies on a coin flip, making it a chance-based effect.

How to Recover from Paralyzed?

Four methods exist to cure Paralysis:

1. Time: The effect automatically ends at the start of your next turn.
2. Evolution: Evolving the Paralyzed Pokémon immediately removes the condition.
3. Retreat: Retreating the Pokémon removes the effect, as Bench Pokémon cannot have Special Conditions. Cards like Koga can facilitate this.
4. Support Cards: Currently, only Koga offers direct counterplay, but only under specific conditions (Weezing or Muk).

Building an Effective Paralyze Deck

Paralysis alone isn't a reliable deck foundation. Combining it with Asleep, particularly using Articuno & Frosmoth (with supporting cards like Wigglytuff ex), significantly enhances its effectiveness. This strategy leverages multiple attack lines to inflict both conditions.

Sample Paralyze-Asleep Deck

This decklist provides a starting point for building a competitive Paralyze-based strategy. Remember that the effectiveness of this strategy relies heavily on the chance element of coin flips.