How to Retreat

How to Retreat for Pokemon TCG Pocket (Pokemon Card App). See for the rules of retreating, the Advantages and Disadvantages, steps to retreat, and more for Pokemon TCGP.

How to Retreat

Discard Required Amount of Energy

When the player uses Retreat, they can switch the active Pokemon with a Pokemon in the bench. The player must discard the energy required to retreat, written on each card of the active Pokemon. Retreat can only be done once every turn.

Use Item Card to Reduce Cost

The energy required to retreat can be reduced by using the item called X Speed. This item can reduce the cost by 1 Energy and any Pokemon with a retreat cost of 1 can retreat at no cost using this item.

How to Retreat

1.	When your Active Pokemon has enough energy to retreat, tap on the Active Pokemon and select Retreat.
2.	Select the Pokemon you want to switch in from the Bench.
3.	The Active Pokemon will switch with the Pokemon you've selected and the Energy will be discarded.

Can't Retreat in Some Situations

Active Pokemon in the Asleep or Paralyzed status cannot Retreat. Also moves of some Pokemon such as Arbok can also prevent Pokemon from Retreating.

Advantages of Retreating

Retreat Pokemon to Avoid Knock Out

The advantage of retreating is to switch Pokemon with low HP to prevent the opponent from getting Points. After retreating, the Pokemon can be healed or evolved to fight again.

Some Moves can Attack Benched Pokemon

Some moves can attack your Pokemon regardless of being Active or Benched, and some can deal extra damage to benched Pokemon. So make sure to check the opponent's Pokemon before retreating.

Heal Status Conditions

When the Pokemon retreats to the bench, it will remove status conditions such as Poison, Burn, and Confusion. Poison and Confusion will not heal automatically while the Pokemon is active so make sure to retreat to heal if the Pokemon can't evolve.

Energy will be Discarded

A Disadvantage of retreating is that a certain amount of Energy attached to the Pokemon has to be discarded, so you will need to Energy again to use moves. Make sure you take this into account when using retreat.

Some Cards Force Player to Switch Pokemon

Some Pokemon moves, abilities, or support cards can force the player to switch their benched and active Pokemon. Even if you avoid attacks by putting your Pokemon in the Bench, it doesn't mean the Pokemon is completely safe.

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