The English Basic Set was released in January 1999.
The Base Series was the 1st set released, and consists of 64 cards.
A Quick History, Contrary to popular belief, the Pokemon TV series isn't how the craze was started. It was actually started with the Game Boy game called "Pocket Monsters" in Japan in 1995. It was an instant hit and it eventually got it's own TV series of the same name in April of 1997. 1998). In November 1998 , Pokemon Red and Blue were simultaniously released for the Game Boy platform and became the highest selling game ever for the platform. In 1999, when WB put in it's bid for the rights to run the series for the rest of its run. Soon it started running Saturday mornings all at the same time nationally. In turn, this blew ratings through the roof and made Pokemon the #1 most watched show by the 6-12 age demographic in the nation in spring of '99. The Pokemon TCG came around this time, and was a complete sellout!
Rarity Info: HoloFoils - 16, Rares - 16, Uncommon's - 16 and 16 Common Cards
Damage Swap- As often as you like during your turn (before your attack), you may move 1 damage counter from 1 of your Pokemon to another as long as you don’t Knock Out that Pokemon. This power can’t be used if Alakazam is Asleep, Confused, or Paralyzed.
Attack(1)
(P)(P)(P) Confuse Ray 30 Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokemon is now Confused.
Rain Dance- As often as you like during your turn (before your attack), you may attach 1 (W) Energy card to one of your (W) Pokemon. (This doesn’t use up your 1 Energy card attachment for the turn.) This power can’t be used if Blastoise is Asleep, Confused, or Paralyzed.
Attack(1)
(W)(W)(W) Hydro Pump 40+ Does 40 damage plus 10 more damage for each (W) energy attached to Blastoise but not used to pay for this attack’s Energy cost. Extra (W) Energy after the 2nd doesn’t count.
(*)(*) Scrunch Flip a coin. If heads, prevent all damage done to Chansey during your opponent’s next turn. (Any other effects of attacks still happen.)
Attack(2)
(*)(*)(*)(*) Double Edge 80 Chansey does 80 damage to itself.
Energy Burn- As often as you like before your turn (before your attack), you may turn all Energy attached to Charizard into (R) Energy for the rest of the turn. This power can’t be used if Charizard is Asleep, Confused, or Paralyzed.
Attack(1)
(R)(R)(R)(R) Fire Spin 100 Discard 2 Energy cards attached to Charizard in order to use this attack.
(*) Sing Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokemon is now Asleep.
Attack(2)
(*)(*)(*) Metronome Choose 1 of the Defending Pokemon’s attacks. Metronome copies that attack except for its Energy costs and anything else required in order to use that attack, such as discarding Energy cards. (No matter what type the Defending Pokemon is, Clefairy’s type is still Colorless.)
Strikes Back- Whenever your opponent’s attack damages Machamp (even if Machamp is Knocked Out), this power does 10 damage to the attacking Pokemon. (Don’t apply Weakness or Resistance.) This power can’t be used if Machamp is already Asleep, Confused, or Paralyzed when your opponent attacks.
(L)(L)(*) Thunder Wave 30 Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokemon is now Paralyzed.
Attack(2)
(L)(L)(*)(*) Selfdestruct 80 Does 20 damage to each Pokemon on each player’s Bench. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokemon.) Magneton does 80 damage to itself.
(P)(*) Psychic 10+ Does 10 damage plus 10 more damage for each Energy card attached to the Defending Pokemon.
Attack(2)
(P)(P) Barrier Discard 1 (P) Energy card attached to Mewtwo in order to use this attack. During your opponent’s next turn, prevent all effects of attacks, including damage, done to Mewtwo.
(G)(*)(*) Thrash 30+ Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 30 damage plus 10 more damage; if tails, this attack does 30 damage and Nidoking does 10 damage to itself.
Attack(2)
(G)(G)(G) Toxic 20 The Defending Pokemon is now Poisoned. It now takes 20 Poison damage instead of 10 after each player’s turn (even if it was already Poisoned).
(W)(W)(*) Water Gun 30+ Does 30 damage plus 10 more damage for each (W) Energy attached to Poliwrath but not used to pay for this attack’s Energy cost. Extra (W) Energy after the 2nd doesn’t count.
Attack(2)
(W)(W)(*)(*) Whirlpool 40 If the Defending Pokemon has any Energy cards attached to it, choose 1 of them and discard it.
Energy Trans- As often as you like during your turn (before your attack), you may take 1 (G) Energy card attached to 1 of your Pokemon and attach it to a different one. This power can’t be used if Venusaur is Asleep, Confused, or Paralyzed.
