Pokémon TCG: Paralyzed Explained | List of Cards with 'Paralyze' Ability

This guide explores the Paralyze effect in Pokémon TCG Pocket, detailing its mechanics, counters, and potential deck-building strategies.

Paralyze in Pokémon TCG Pocket: A Comprehensive Guide

Pokémon TCG Pocket faithfully recreates the Paralyze condition, albeit with slight adjustments. This special condition immobilizes the opponent's Active Pokémon for a single turn, preventing attacks and retreats. However, unlike the physical TCG, specific counter-cards are currently absent. This guide will clarify how Paralyze functions, how to overcome it, and strategies for incorporating it into your decks.

What is Paralyzed?

Paralyze prevents the opponent's Active Pokémon from attacking or retreating for one turn. The effect automatically dissipates at the start of the opponent's next Checkup phase.

Paralyzed vs. Asleep

Both Paralyze and Asleep hinder the opponent's Active Pokémon, but their cures differ. Paralyze resolves automatically, while Asleep requires a successful coin flip or strategic counterplay (like evolving or retreating the Pokémon).

Paralyzed in Pocket vs. Physical TCG

The physical Pokémon TCG offers Trainer cards like Full Heal to remove Paralyze. Pokémon TCG Pocket currently lacks direct counter-cards, but the core mechanic remains consistent: a Paralyzed Pokémon is inactive for a single turn.

Which Cards Inflict Paralyze?

Currently, only three cards in the Genetic Apex expansion inflict Paralyze: Pincurchin, Elektross, and Articuno. Each uses a coin flip, introducing an element of chance and limiting the reliability of a purely Paralyze-based deck.

How to Cure Paralyze

There are several ways to remove the Paralyze condition:

1. Time: The effect automatically ends at the start of your next turn.
2. Evolution: Evolving the Paralyzed Pokémon instantly cures it.
3. Retreat: Retreating the Pokémon removes the effect (since Bench Pokémon cannot have Special Conditions).
4. Support Cards (Limited): Currently, only Koga's effect counters Paralyze, but only under specific conditions (Weezing or Muk).

Building a Paralyze Deck

A purely Paralyze deck is unreliable. Combining it with the Asleep condition, however, significantly improves effectiveness. The Articuno & Frosmoth strategy, utilizing Articuno, Frosmoth, and Wigglytuff ex, offers a potent combination of both effects. This requires careful deck construction to maximize the chances of inflicting both conditions.

Sample Paralyze-Asleep Decklist:

This enhanced decklist provides a more robust strategy than relying solely on the unpredictable nature of the Paralyze effect. Remember that the meta is constantly evolving, and deckbuilding requires adaptation and experimentation.