Pokémon Card HP & its Power Creep

This article offers a deep-dive into Pokémon Card HP with a full explanation and a look at how the HP value has changed over time.

Explore Pokémon Card HP

What is HP in the TCG?
HP Power Creep
HP 330 HP 340 HP 350
HP 360 HP 370 HP 380

What is HP in the TCG?

HP stands for Hit Points and represents the total amount of damage a Pokémon can take before it is knocked out. The higher a Pokémon’s HP, the more damage it can withstand during a battle.

The HP value of a Pokémon trading card can be found at the top right of a card, next to that Pokémon’s type symbol, making it easy to identify at a glance. The Gastly card below has an HP of 70.

Location of HP on a Trading Card — *Gastly 123/217 showing location of HP value*

High HP cards are popular with players, particularly if they have also have powerful attacks or useful abilities. Pokémon that have high HP are likely to stay in play for longer and are therefore an important part of many decks.

High HP cards are also sought after by collectors. During the period that they are legal for TCG tournaments, they tend to be worth more than an average card, while older cards have an iconic or nostalgic value. Some collectors enjoy completing sets of cards with a specific HP value such as every card with 30 HP or every card with 380 HP.

155/132 Mega Venusaur ex — *Mega Venusaur ex 155/132 with HP 380*

In the Pokémon Trading Card Game, HP is always a multiple of 10. The lowest HP currently printed is 30 HP, while 380 HP is currently the highest HP available. Cards have been released with HP for every multiple of 10 from 30 to 380 with the exception of 290 HP which has never been used.

The HP value of a card is not unique to individual Pokémon and can vary between different cards featuring the same Pokémon. The three Pikachu cards below are all from the XY Evolutions set of 2016 and they all have a different HP value.

Pokémon Card HP Power Creep

The HP of Pokémon cards has increased significantly since the game was first released in 1999. Early cards from the Base Set typically ranged from 30 HP to 120 HP while the latest cards have HP as high as 380 HP.

As new game mechanics have been introduced, the maximum HP of Pokémon cards has steadily increased over time. This tactic is frequently used by game manufacturers and is often referred to as a ‘power creep’.

The list below details the sets and cards that have contributed to the HP Power Creep.

Pokémon Base Set – September 1999
Two cards released with HP 120
Chansey 3/102 and Charizard 4/102