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Rules assistance for Pokémon TCG: EX Ruby & Sapphire Expansion
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with saved question history.
Rules assistant for Pokémon TCG: EX Ruby & Sapphire Expansion
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Pokémon TCG: EX Ruby & Sapphire Expansion is an expansion for Pokémon Trading Card Game released in 2003 for 2 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 7 and up. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers and Open Drafting.
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About the game
Pokémon TCG: EX Ruby & Sapphire was an English-language expansion for the Pokémon Trading Card Game roughly corresponding to the contemporaneous Japanese-language expansion Expansion Pack. It was the first expansion of the EX series of expansions. The EX series added Pokemon-ex to the game, which were Basic Pokemon that were more powerful than usual Basic Pokemon, but were worth two prize cards if Knocked Out. It was also the first expansion Nintendo Co., Ltd. published after transferring the rights from Wizards of the Coast. The expansion was related to the Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire video game for the Game Boy Advance. The e-Reader for the Game Boy Advance could read data from this expansion's cards. The expansion included 109 cards. There were 14 Rare Holo cards, 13 Rare cards, 34 Uncommon cards, 34 Common cards, 8 Rare Holo ex cards, and 6 Energy cards. Pokémon TCG: EX Ruby & Sapphire was sold in 9 card Booster Packs, and 2 Theme Decks. Booster Packs for EX Ruby & Sapphire Expansion (9 Randomized Cards Each): Lairon Booster Pack Manectric Booster Pack Mightyena Booster Pack Sceptile Booster Pack Theme Decks for EX Ruby & Sapphire Expansion (60 Fixed Cards Each): Ruby Theme Deck Sapphire Theme Deck
Editions
- Pokémon TCG: EX Ruby & Sapphire ExpansionENThe Pokémon Company International2003
- Pokémon TCG: EX Ruby & Sapphire ExpansionENThe Pokémon Company International2003
- Pokémon TCG: EX Ruby & Sapphire ExpansionENThe Pokémon Company International2003
- Pokémon TCG: EX Ruby & Sapphire ExpansionENThe Pokémon Company International2003
Categories
Mechanics
Publishers
- The Pokémon Company International
Questions and answers
Pokémon TCG: EX Ruby & Sapphire Expansion supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Pokémon TCG: EX Ruby & Sapphire Expansion is 20 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Pokémon TCG: EX Ruby & Sapphire Expansion for ages 7 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Pokémon TCG: EX Ruby & Sapphire Expansion has a complexity rating of 2.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Pokémon TCG: EX Ruby & Sapphire Expansion belongs to these categories: Card Game, Fighting, and Movies / TV / Radio theme. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers and Open Drafting. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The catalogue lists Pokémon TCG: EX Ruby & Sapphire Expansion as an expansion for Pokémon Trading Card Game. Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need Pokémon Trading Card Game to use it. Check that your edition of Pokémon Trading Card Game is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.