PRIZE MAPPING
PRIZE MAPPING
Prize mapping is one of the most important skills to learn as a Pokémon Trading Card Player. It involves purposefully planning the order in which you knock out your opponent's Pokémon to win the game.
🧪 Scenario: Reading the Board
Let's say your opponent has a Mega Lucario ex, Meowth ex, Riolu, Solrock, Lunatone, and Makuhita on the field. There are several ways to take your 6 prizes:
- Path A: Knock out Lunatone (1), Solrock (1), Makuhita (1), and Mega Lucario ex (3) = 6 prizes
- Path B: Knock out Mega Lucario ex (3), then if they evolve Riolu, knock out another Mega Lucario ex (3) = 6 prizes
- Path C: Knock out Riolu (1), Mega Lucario ex (3), and Meowth ex (2) = 6 prizes
Choosing the Right Path
The best path is always the one that requires the fewest knockouts using your available attackers. For example, if you play a Lillie's Clefairy ex, which can do double damage and more easily knock out a Mega Lucario ex, then the simplest way to win the game would be to knock out 2 Mega Lucario exes and take your 6 prize cards that way.
Or if you play against a deck that mostly consists of Pokémon worth 2 prize cards, then your simplest game plan is taking 3 two-prize knockouts in a row.
🎯 The Golden Equation
Always count backwards from 6. How many knockouts do you need? Which Pokémon on their board gives you the most prizes per knockout? That's your primary target.
Test Your Knowledge
Complete the official Academy Exam for PRIZE MAPPING to earn Doubloons and secure your operational badge.