Ruling Fossil Question

[Bawksie]

Helix Fossil:

Play Helix Fossil as if it were a * basic pokemon (Helix Fossil counts as a Trainer card as well, but if Helix Fossil is knocked out, it counts as a knocked out pokemon)... At any time during your turn, you may discard Helix Fossil (does not count as a knocked out pokemon)

My friend and I had an argument about this a few days ago. He says when I discard it, it counts as a knocked out pokemon because there was a rule on that before.. I told him it doesn't because it says its not knocked out.

Who was right?

 

[Chairman Kaga]

It says "this doesn't count as a Knocked Out Pokemon". I'm not sure how your friend can argue with that.

What did change is that pre-DP Fossils didn't count for a prize when they were KO'd by damage -- now they do, by rule. But discarding it by choice is not, and never has been, considered a KO.