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Abilities and their presentation on the cards

I know your turn ends when you make an attack that deals damage. I am just looking for technical distinctions. When it comes to Pokémon abilities. I have seen some images of cards that say "ability" like for example Radiant Gardevoir has "Loving Veil" and base set Venusaur has "Pokémon Power - Energy Trans".

Some, what i would call abilities, have an energy requirement to them. like Gossifleur from the Grooky starter deck has "call for family" for 1 energy. Because it has energy requirement, is it classified as an attack even though it deals no damage.

If it deals no damage is it classified as an ability regardless if any energy is a requirement (obviously still only being usable if it has the energy on it)

like Sudowoodo from the Cinderace starter deck. his move Double Draw. for one colourless energy draw 2 cards.

if it requires an energy does that classify as an attack and therefore ends your turn.

Is it as simple as:

"requires energy = attack. Doesn't require energy = Ability"

Thank you for reading, i look forward to finding out

Best Answer

  • Nashedtators
    Nashedtators Member Posts: 94 ✭✭✭
    25 Likes 25 Agrees 5 Answers 10 Comments
    #2 Answer ✓

    No, if it's labeled as an ability it's an ability, anything listed under abilities or basically anything with an energy symbol and move names will end the turn, even if they don't do damage. Your pokemon still needs to "use" the move so it'll still end your turn. Think of it like using "growl" in the base games, it does no damage, but the move used has a different desired effect.

Answers

  • 10types
    10types Member Posts: 239 ✭✭✭
    100 Comments Second Anniversary 25 Likes 5 Answers

    A few more things to add (this may confuse you tho so if youre already confused dont worry about this for now). There are also some Pokemon with attacks (which always end your turn) which can be used for no energy (such as Cramorant from Lost Origin) or have no energy cost to begin with (such as Hisuian Basculin from Astral Radiance). There are also abilities that end your turn that don't do damage (such as Rotom V from Lost Origin). In addition, there are abilities that can place damage counters (slightly different from dealing damage) such as Iron Valiant ex from Paradox Rift that will not end your turn. There is also Tyrogue from Unbroken Bonds that has an ability that sometimes does damage, but ends your turn regardless of whether or not it does damage.