What are Pokémon Tera Type Cards?

Pokémon Tera Type Cards Explained

Pokémon Tera Type cards were first introduced to the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) in March 2023 with the release of the Scarlet and Violet Base Set.

Tera Type cards depict terastalized Pokémon, which are Pokémon that shine like crystalized gems. Tera type Pokémon are stronger than regular Pokémon and Tera ex cards are very powerful indeed. A Pokémon’s Tera-type may differ from its normal type, for example a grass type Pokémon may become a water type when terastalized. The Obsidian Flames expansion was the first set to feature Pokémon with a different Tera Type to their Normal type.

The Gyarados card 045/198 from the Scarlet and Violet Base set depicts Gyarados in terastalized form.

Which Sets have Pokémon Tera Type Cards?

Terastalized Pokémon were introduced with the games Pokémon Scarlet and Violet in November 2022 and Tera Type cards were launched with the release of the Scarlet and Violet Base set in March 2023.

To date 4 cards were included with the Scarlet and Violet Base set, 6 in Paldea Evolved and 12 were included in the Obsidian Flames release.

How to Identify Pokémon Tera Type Cards

Pokémon Tera Type Cards are fairly easy to identify. The image on the card depicts the featured Pokémon in terastalized form and the word Tera is written on the right side of the evolution bar just beneath the HP number.

Tera Type cards are always also ex cards and have high Hit Points (HP) and powerful abilities.

The Forretress ex card 005/193, is from the Paldea Evolved expansion. It has a high HP of 270 and includes the Tera logo on the evolution bar.

How are Tera Cards used in the Trading Card Game?

Pokémon Tera Type cards are useful in the Trading card game. As can be seen from the Tera Rule written beneath the Tera Logo, benched Tera type card resist all damage. This means a player can put them on their bench, ready to swap with an Active card and not run the risk of them being badly damaged by an opponent’s attack.

Tera cards have a high HP which makes them harder to defeat. Their ex ability gives them powerful attacks that can badly damage or even knock out an opponent’s Pokémon. However, if an ex card is knocked out it gives up 2 prize cards rather than 1.

Tera Type Pokémon cards may be a different type to their regular type. The Obsidian Flames expansion is the first set to include Pokémon cards with a different Tera Type.

Charizard ex 223/197 from the Obsidian Flames set is a Dark type Pokémon when in Terastalised form, rather than its normal Fire type. It has a hefty 330 HP and the powerful Burning Darkness move that gives 180 damage plus 30 more damage for each Prize card your opponent has taken.

This card is set to be the chase card of the Obsidian Flames and is likely to be in high demand by Charizard fans, collectors and players of the Trading Card Game.