Weakness and Resistance in the Pokémon TCG

Every Pokémon card shows a Weakness and sometimes a Resistance at the bottom. Weakness doubles damage from one type; Resistance takes 30 off from another. Check an attack with the calculator, or read on for the order damage is worked out in.

Damage calculator

240
  1. 120 attack damage
  2. ×2 Weakness = 240

Weakness: ×2

If the attacking Pokémon's type matches the defender's Weakness, the damage is doubled. A Lightning attack for 120 against a Pokémon weak to Lightning does 240. Older cards and Pokémon TCG Pocket print +20 instead; the card tells you which.

Resistance: −30

If the attacker's type matches the defender's Resistance, take 30 off the damage (some older cards say −20). Damage never drops below 0, so a 20 damage attack into Resistance does nothing.

The order damage is worked out in

  1. Start with the attack's printed damage (and anything its text adds, like “30 more for each Energy”).
  2. Apply effects on the attacking Pokémon (a Tool or Supporter that adds damage).
  3. Apply Weakness.
  4. Apply Resistance.
  5. Apply effects on the defending Pokémon (cards that reduce damage taken).

Then put that many tens on as damage counters. If the damage reaches the defender's HP, it's Knocked Out.

Only against the Active Pokémon

Weakness and Resistance only count for damage done to the opponent's Active Pokémon. Attacks that hit the Bench, and effects that put damage counters on (like Poison), ignore them.

Let the companion do the maths

In the GameShuffle TCG Companion, tap Attack and pick one of your Active Pokémon's real attacks: it reads both cards, applies Weakness and Resistance in this order, lets you add card effects, and says when the attack Knocks Out the defender.

Keep track at the table

The free GameShuffle TCG Companion tracks damage counters, Special Conditions, Energy and Prize cards on one phone, knows whose turn it is, and reminds you of the rules without stopping play. No download.

Questions players ask

How much does Weakness add in the Pokémon TCG?
On current cards, Weakness doubles the damage (×2). Some older cards and Pokémon TCG Pocket use +20 instead. The card always says which.
How much does Resistance take off?
On current cards, Resistance takes 30 off the damage (−30), and the damage can't go below 0. Some older cards use −20.
Do Weakness and Resistance apply to Benched Pokémon?
No. They only apply to damage done to the opponent's Active Pokémon. An attack that also damages the Bench does its printed damage there.
Does Weakness apply to damage counters put on by an effect?
No. When a card puts damage counters on a Pokémon (rather than doing damage), Weakness and Resistance don't change the number.
What order is damage worked out in?
Start with the attack's damage, apply effects on the attacking Pokémon, then Weakness, then Resistance, then effects on the defending Pokémon. Then put that many tens on as damage counters.

Written in our own words from the current Pokémon TCG rules, checked October 11, 2026. Card effects can change any rule; the card wins. Pokémon and the Pokémon TCG are trademarks of their owners; GameShuffle isn't affiliated with them.