Maximizing Your Dual-Type Pokémon

For the first time in several years, the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) features Pokémon that have two types—all three Pokémon LEGEND pairs in the HS—Unleashed expansion are dual-type Pokémon. These Pokémon LEGENDs also feature two Weaknesses, which creates interesting matchups, especially when Pokémon LEGENDs face off against one another.

While dual-type Pokémon can be an incredible weapon in your Pokémon TCG arsenal, the rules for how they work can be a little complicated. Read on to learn how to use dual-type Pokémon legally and effectively!

Just Your Types

Dual-type Pokémon are extra-powerful against Pokémon with Weaknesses against either type. For example, Suicune & Entei LEGEND (HS—Unleashed, 94/95 and 95/95) is both a Water-type and Fire-type. This means it hits harder against a Defending Pokémon with a Weakness to either Fire or Water, such as Shaymin (HS—Unleashed, 8/95) or Magmortar (HS—Unleashed, 2/95). With greater versatility, dual-type Pokémon rarely struggle with type mismatches.

But sometimes the Defending Pokémon has a Weakness against one of your Pokémon's types and a Resistance to the other. To take both of these factors into account, always calculate Weakness first, and then Resistance. Let's return to that example of Suicune & Entei LEGEND. What if it was up against Meganium Prime (HeartGold & SoulSilver, 109/123), which has a x2 Weakness to Fire-type Pokémon and a -20 Resistance against Water-type Pokémon?

Suicune & Entei LEGEND's Bursting Inferno attack does 80 damage before taking Weakness and Resistance into account. Meganium Prime would take 80 damage x2 to account for its Weakness to Fire, so 160 damage. Then, apply the -20 Resistance to Water, leaving a total of 140 damage.

If Meganium Prime is at full strength with 150 HP, it survives the blow...barely.

Look Both Ways—Then Retreat

Having a Pokémon with two types is great. Having a Pokémon with two Weaknesses, on the other hand, is not so wonderful. Your Defending Pokémon is susceptible to attacks from two types of Pokémon, so you have to be even more wary of your opponent's Active Pokémon. This means retreating more often.

Fortunately, the Retreat Cost for the Pokémon LEGENDs is cheap. The Retreat Cost for Entei & Raikou LEGEND (HS—Unleashed, 90/95 and 91/95) is 0, while Raikou & Suicune LEGEND (HS—Unleashed, 92/95 and 93/95) and Suicune & Entei LEGEND each have a Retreat Cost of 1. For Pokémon of their power, this is cheap.

Get your Pokémon LEGEND out of the Active spot before it takes double damage due to Weakness! Remember that you to lose 2 Prize cards when the HS—Unleashed Pokémon LEGENDs are Knocked Out. Currently, the Pokémon LEGENDs in HS—Unleashed are the only cards with two types, but future dual-types may have this trait as well.

Double Trouble

If you and your opponent are both playing Pokémon LEGENDs, you may see the most interesting scenario of all. That is, the types of some Pokémon LEGENDs match up perfectly with the two Weaknesses of another Pokémon LEGEND. The results are spectacular.

For example, Raikou & Suicune LEGEND is a Lightning-type and Water-type, and you use the Thunderbolt Spear attack against Suicune & Entei LEGEND, which has Weakness to both Lightning and Water Weakness. What happens? You factor in the effects of both Weaknesses—and Thunderbolt Spear does quadruple damage, or 600 total damage! Without some miraculous intervention, Suicune & Entei LEGEND doesn't stand a chance.

Knowing how dual-type Pokémon and Pokémon with two Weaknesses work is the first step to integrating these powerful cards into your deck. With this understanding, you can find smart ways to add the strength of Pokémon LEGENDs to your deck—and start winning matches like never before.