Special Conditions Explained (Poisoned, Burned, Asleep, Paralyzed, Confused)
What each Pokémon TCG Special Condition does, how Pokémon Checkup works, which conditions can stack, and how to remove them.
Last updated · 2 min read
Special Conditions are effects that attacks put on the opponent’s Active Pokémon. There are five: Poisoned, Burned, Asleep, Paralyzed and Confused. Only an Active Pokémon can have a Special Condition; a Benched Pokémon never does.
Which conditions can be combined?
In the physical game, Poisoned and Burned are shown with markers placed on the card, while Asleep, Paralyzed and Confused are shown by turning the card. Since a card can only face one way, a Pokémon can only be one of Asleep, Paralyzed or Confused at a time. A newer one replaces the old one.
Poison and Burn markers are separate, so a Pokémon can be, for example, Poisoned, Burned and Asleep at once. PTCG Companion follows the same logic automatically.
Poisoned
Put 1 damage counter (10 damage) on the Poisoned Pokémon during every Pokémon Checkup. Some attacks say to put more counters than usual; in that case use the amount the card says.
Burned
During every Pokémon Checkup, put 2 damage counters (20 damage) on the Burned Pokémon. Then its owner flips a coin. If heads, the Pokémon recovers and is no longer Burned.
Asleep
An Asleep Pokémon cannot attack or retreat. During every Pokémon Checkup its owner flips a coin. If heads, it wakes up.
Paralyzed
A Paralyzed Pokémon cannot attack or retreat. It recovers automatically during the Pokémon Checkup after its owner’s next turn. In practice, Paralysis takes away one full turn.
Confused
A Confused Pokémon can still retreat. When it tries to attack, its owner flips a coin first. If tails, put 3 damage counters on the Confused Pokémon and the attack does not happen (the turn still ends).
Pokémon Checkup
Pokémon Checkup happens between every turn, after each player’s turn ends, for both players’ Active Pokémon. Conditions are handled in this order:
- Poisoned
- Burned
- Asleep
- Paralyzed
After that, check whether any Pokémon has been Knocked Out. The Checkup button in PTCG Companion applies the Poison and Burn damage for both sides in one tap and reminds you which flips you still need.
How to remove Special Conditions
All Special Conditions are removed when the Pokémon:
- moves to the Bench (by retreating, or by a card that switches it out),
- evolves, or
- is affected by a card that says it recovers from Special Conditions.
Remember that Asleep and Paralyzed Pokémon cannot retreat, so you need a switching card or an evolution to get them out.
Quick reference
| Condition | Can attack? | Can retreat? | At Checkup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poisoned | Yes | Yes | +10 damage |
| Burned | Yes | Yes | +20 damage, then flip: heads recovers |
| Asleep | No | No | Flip: heads wakes up |
| Paralyzed | No | No | Recovers after owner’s next turn |
| Confused | Flip first | Yes | — |
Rules in this guide reflect the current Pokémon TCG rulebook. Card text always takes priority over general rules, and if you play in an official event, the Play! Pokémon rules documents are the final authority.
