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CARD INFORMATION

  • SUBTYPES:
    • Item
  • RULES:
    • Switch your Active Pokémon with 1 of your Benched Pokémon.
    • You may play any number of Item cards during your turn.
  • RARITY: Common
  • REGULATIONMARK: I

CARD ABILITIES

This card has no abilities

CARD ATTACKS

This card has no attack

MARKET PRICES FOR SWITCH 💰

Last updated: 2025/10/11
HIGH

4.99

USD
MID

0.13

USDTREND
LOW

0.01

USD

Check the latest prices on:
Tcgplayer
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Switch is one of the most foundational Trainer cards in the Pokémon TCG, providing crucial board manipulation that has remained relevant across virtually every format.

This simple yet powerful Item allows players to instantly change their Active Pokémon, creating strategic flexibility that can completely alter the flow of a match.




Offensive Score Image Offensive rating: 4/10

While Switch does not directly deal damage, its offensive capabilities lie in enabling your optimal attacker to move into the Active position at precisely the right moment.

This card allows you to retreat Pokémon with high Energy costs without paying, effectively preserving those Energy for attacks instead.

Switch lets you bypass the retreat cost entirely, making it an energy-efficient way to position your heavy hitters.

By facilitating seamless transitions between your Pokémon, it enables surprise attacks and can catch opponents off-guard when they were preparing for a different matchup.

However, as a non-Pokémon card, its direct offensive impact is limited.




Survival Score Image Survival rating: 5/10

Switch excels in survival utility by allowing you to remove vulnerable Pokémon from the Active position before they can be knocked out.

This defensive maneuver can save precious Prize card exchanges and protect important resources.

When facing unfavorable matchups or status conditions like Sleep or Paralysis, Switch provides an immediate escape that can prevent knockout scenarios.

Its ability to rescue low-HP Pokémon being targeted for quick KOs is invaluable, especially in the early game when preserving setup Pokémon is crucial.

The card effectively functions as emergency insurance against dangerous Active positions, though as a one-time use Item, its protective value requires proper timing.




Versatility Score Image Versatility rating: 9/10

Switch boasts exceptional versatility, finding a place in nearly every competitive deck regardless of type or strategy.

Its utility spans across multiple scenarios: escaping status conditions, repositioning for better type matchups, conserving Energy, enabling complex attack chains, and facilitating retreat strategies.

This card functions equally well in aggressive and defensive play patterns, making it relevant throughout all phases of the game.

Switch maintains effectiveness regardless of the meta, as board positioning remains fundamental to TCG strategy.

While some archetypes with built-in switching effects might rely on it less, few decks would reject its inclusion.

Its universal applicability makes it one of the most versatile Trainer cards available.




setup Score Image Speed/Setup rating: 10/10

Switch offers unparalleled setup speed as it requires zero preparation to use and delivers immediate impact on the turn it is played.

The card has no prerequisites, Energy requirements, or complex sequences to follow - simply play it and swap your Active Pokémon.

This instant accessibility means Switch is always ready when needed, especially in emergency situations.

As a standard Item card, it is searchable through numerous Trainer cards like Nest Ball or Battle VIP Pass, enhancing consistency.

The only limitations to its setup efficiency are the standard restrictions on Item cards (such as opponent effects that block Items) and the fact that it provides a one-time effect rather than continuous benefit.




Switch works best in decks featuring Pokémon with high retreat costs, powerful single-Energy attackers, or evolution lines requiring protection.

It synergizes excellently with card-drawing supporters that help you find it when needed, and with Pokémon that benefit from moving between Active and Bench positions frequently.

Perfect Partners examples:

Combines with Switch to create multiple movement options in a single turn, allowing for complex board manipulation strategies and enhanced protection for your valuable Pokémon.

Provides a complementary retreat option as a Tool card, allowing you to save Switch for emergency situations while still maintaining flexibility in your Active position management.

Enables you to quickly search out the perfect Pokémon to switch into after moving your current Active to the bench, creating efficient attack sequences and better board positioning.




Switch remains one of the most consistently useful Trainer cards in the Pokémon TCG, offering instantaneous board manipulation that can dramatically alter game states.

Its greatest strength lies in its simplicity and universal utility - virtually any deck can benefit from the flexibility it provides.

The ability to bypass retreat costs, escape status conditions, and reposition strategically without warning gives players tactical options that opponents must constantly consider.

While not directly contributing to offensive power, its ability to enable the right attacker at the right time creates significant competitive advantage.

For tournament play, consider running 2-4 copies in most decks, depending on your Pokémon retreat costs and reliance on specific Active positioning.

Switch exemplifies how seemingly basic effects can have profound competitive impact when properly leveraged in the complex ecosystem of tournament play.



POWER INDEX

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