What is Meter?
Meter is a new mechanic I created for the Pokémon Trading Card Game in the SV era. Similar to Pokémon Vstar, Pokémon Meter ex have powerful skills in the form of Abilities or attacks that are limited in their use. The difference between Vstar powers and Meter Skills is that Meter Skills are not limited to once per game.
How does Meter work?
Both players each have a Meter Gauge. This Gauge is separated into 3 Segments and Meter Skills can only be used if these 3 Segments are all full. Once the game begins, each player’s Meter Gauge is boosted up to 3 as they begin their first turn. Once 1 of their Pokèmon uses a Meter Skill, that player’s Meter Gauge reverts to 0. If either player’s Meter Gauge is below 3, then at the beginning of that player’s turn their Meter Gauge will passively boost itself by 1.
Below is a basic visualization of the Meter Gauge in the context of a game
Turn 1
Turn 2 After Meter Skill has been used
Turn 3 (as the turn begins)
Turn 4 (as the turn begins)
Turn 5 Meter Skill ready to use
How to keep track of the Meter Gauge during a game.
With Vstar powers and GX attacks, markers were created to keep track of whether or not these mechanics had been used during a game, being flipped after use and staying flipped for the duration of a game. With the Meter Gauge though, keeping track of it is more complex than just flipping something over to indicate that a mechanic has been used. The marker has to be constantly changing each turn for both players. Vstar and GX markers have 2 modes, one before the mechanic’s use and another after the mechanic’s use. A Meter marker would have to have 4 different modes, each being easily understandable with the numbers 0, 1, 2, and 3. The easiest way to keep track of these 4 constantly changing modes is with the use of a special d4 which is a special die created with the intended use of only having 4 sides. With just 1 piece, all 4 modes can be tracked simultaneously, flipping the side corresponding with how much Meter you have each turn. A more creative approach would be for 4 separate markers that each indicate a mode. Representing 0 would be a long almost cylindrical-looking but 2-dimensional piece that would have 3 different engravings along the bottom, middle, and top where the rest of the markers will be placed. The other 3 markers will all be smaller blue rectangles that are all the same size and can fit into the 3 engravings of the 1st piece. Whenever you or your opponent’s Meter is boosted, that player will add a blue rectangle to their cylindrical piece, whenever the Meter is reverted, they will take out the piece. This allows for a more visually interesting way of keeping track of the Meter Gauge, the downside being that with so many pieces on the board, it could get messy, confusing, and overall more cluttered. These are 2 ideas of how the Meter mechanic can be implemented into the game visually.
The cards.
With this new mechanic, I would like to unveil some cards I created to showcase Meter even further. These cards consist of 6 Pokémon Meter ex, 1 Item card, 1 Supporter card, 1 Stadium card, and 2 Pokémon Tool cards. These will all be text fakes, and I might make future posts expanding on the concept of Meter and creating more cards that interact with it. I would like to give a special thanks to Zoxo for his help with balancing and wording, he is an amazing person and you can find him on Discord in the Pokémon TCG Custom Card Community usually helping other people with their fakes or reviewing them. He is an incredible person and I greatly thank him for the help he gave me with these cards. Without further ado, enjoy
.
Meter is a new mechanic I created for the Pokémon Trading Card Game in the SV era. Similar to Pokémon Vstar, Pokémon Meter ex have powerful skills in the form of Abilities or attacks that are limited in their use. The difference between Vstar powers and Meter Skills is that Meter Skills are not limited to once per game.
How does Meter work?
Both players each have a Meter Gauge. This Gauge is separated into 3 Segments and Meter Skills can only be used if these 3 Segments are all full. Once the game begins, each player’s Meter Gauge is boosted up to 3 as they begin their first turn. Once 1 of their Pokèmon uses a Meter Skill, that player’s Meter Gauge reverts to 0. If either player’s Meter Gauge is below 3, then at the beginning of that player’s turn their Meter Gauge will passively boost itself by 1.
Below is a basic visualization of the Meter Gauge in the context of a game
Turn 1
Turn 2 After Meter Skill has been used
Turn 3 (as the turn begins)
Turn 4 (as the turn begins)
Turn 5 Meter Skill ready to use
How to keep track of the Meter Gauge during a game.
With Vstar powers and GX attacks, markers were created to keep track of whether or not these mechanics had been used during a game, being flipped after use and staying flipped for the duration of a game. With the Meter Gauge though, keeping track of it is more complex than just flipping something over to indicate that a mechanic has been used. The marker has to be constantly changing each turn for both players. Vstar and GX markers have 2 modes, one before the mechanic’s use and another after the mechanic’s use. A Meter marker would have to have 4 different modes, each being easily understandable with the numbers 0, 1, 2, and 3. The easiest way to keep track of these 4 constantly changing modes is with the use of a special d4 which is a special die created with the intended use of only having 4 sides. With just 1 piece, all 4 modes can be tracked simultaneously, flipping the side corresponding with how much Meter you have each turn. A more creative approach would be for 4 separate markers that each indicate a mode. Representing 0 would be a long almost cylindrical-looking but 2-dimensional piece that would have 3 different engravings along the bottom, middle, and top where the rest of the markers will be placed. The other 3 markers will all be smaller blue rectangles that are all the same size and can fit into the 3 engravings of the 1st piece. Whenever you or your opponent’s Meter is boosted, that player will add a blue rectangle to their cylindrical piece, whenever the Meter is reverted, they will take out the piece. This allows for a more visually interesting way of keeping track of the Meter Gauge, the downside being that with so many pieces on the board, it could get messy, confusing, and overall more cluttered. These are 2 ideas of how the Meter mechanic can be implemented into the game visually.
The cards.
With this new mechanic, I would like to unveil some cards I created to showcase Meter even further. These cards consist of 6 Pokémon Meter ex, 1 Item card, 1 Supporter card, 1 Stadium card, and 2 Pokémon Tool cards. These will all be text fakes, and I might make future posts expanding on the concept of Meter and creating more cards that interact with it. I would like to give a special thanks to Zoxo for his help with balancing and wording, he is an amazing person and you can find him on Discord in the Pokémon TCG Custom Card Community usually helping other people with their fakes or reviewing them. He is an incredible person and I greatly thank him for the help he gave me with these cards. Without further ado, enjoy
.Sableye Meter ex - HP 170 - D
Basic
Ability: Grubby Hands
Once during your turn, if this Pokémon is in the Active Spot, you may discard an Item card from your hand. If you do, draw 2 cards.
[C][C] Shadow Scratch 70+
You may discard a card from the top of your deck. If you do, this attack does 70 more damage.
Meter Skill
Ability: Treasure Hunt
During your turn, if this Pokémon is in the Active Spot, you may search your deck for a card. Then, shuffle your deck and put that card on top of it.
Weakness: Grass ×2
Resistance:
Retreat: [C]
Basic
Ability: Grubby Hands
Once during your turn, if this Pokémon is in the Active Spot, you may discard an Item card from your hand. If you do, draw 2 cards.
[C][C] Shadow Scratch 70+
You may discard a card from the top of your deck. If you do, this attack does 70 more damage.
Meter Skill
Ability: Treasure Hunt
During your turn, if this Pokémon is in the Active Spot, you may search your deck for a card. Then, shuffle your deck and put that card on top of it.
Weakness: Grass ×2
Resistance:
Retreat: [C]
Necrozma Meter ex - HP 220 - P
Basic
[C][C] Reflection Blast 40+
This attack does 10 more damage for each damage counter on this Pokémon.
[P][P][C][C] Prismatic Spark 240
Discard this card and all cards attached to it.
Meter Skill
[P][P] Light Devourer 70×
Revert your opponent's Meter Gauge to 0. This attack does 70 damage for each Meter Segment reverted in this way.
Weakness: Darkness ×2
Resistance: Fighting -30
Retreat: [C][C][C]
Basic
[C][C] Reflection Blast 40+
This attack does 10 more damage for each damage counter on this Pokémon.
[P][P][C][C] Prismatic Spark 240
Discard this card and all cards attached to it.
Meter Skill
[P][P] Light Devourer 70×
Revert your opponent's Meter Gauge to 0. This attack does 70 damage for each Meter Segment reverted in this way.
Weakness: Darkness ×2
Resistance: Fighting -30
Retreat: [C][C][C]
Dugtrio Meter ex - HP 250 - F
Stage 1, Evolves from Diglett
Ability: Arena Trap
As long as you have a Stadium in play, your opponent's Active Pokémon's Retreat Cost is [C][C] more.
[F] Dig 100
Flip a coin. If heads, during your opponent’s next turn, prevent all damage done to this Pokémon by attacks.
Meter Skill
[C][C][C] Underground Digging 200
This attack can be used even if this Pokémon is on the Bench.
Weakness: Grass ×2
Resistance:
Retreat:
Stage 1, Evolves from Diglett
Ability: Arena Trap
As long as you have a Stadium in play, your opponent's Active Pokémon's Retreat Cost is [C][C] more.
[F] Dig 100
Flip a coin. If heads, during your opponent’s next turn, prevent all damage done to this Pokémon by attacks.
Meter Skill
[C][C][C] Underground Digging 200
This attack can be used even if this Pokémon is on the Bench.
Weakness: Grass ×2
Resistance:
Retreat:
Blissey Meter ex - HP 300 - C
Stage 1, Evolves from Chansey
[C][C] Egg Bomb 220
If your opponent’s Active Pokémon was Knocked Out by damage from this attack, take 1 less Prize card.
[C][C][C][C] Hefty Tackle 200+
You may do 100 more damage. If you do, this Pokémon does 100 damage to itself.
Meter Skill
Ability: Joyous Healing
During your turn, heal 200 damage and all Special Conditions from your Active Pokémon.
Weakness: Fighting ×2
Resistance:
Retreat: [C][C][C][C]
Stage 1, Evolves from Chansey
[C][C] Egg Bomb 220
If your opponent’s Active Pokémon was Knocked Out by damage from this attack, take 1 less Prize card.
[C][C][C][C] Hefty Tackle 200+
You may do 100 more damage. If you do, this Pokémon does 100 damage to itself.
Meter Skill
Ability: Joyous Healing
During your turn, heal 200 damage and all Special Conditions from your Active Pokémon.
Weakness: Fighting ×2
Resistance:
Retreat: [C][C][C][C]
Eelektross Meter ex - HP 320 - L
Stage 2, Evolves from Eelektrik
Ability: Conductivity Buffer
Prevent all effects of attacks done to your [L] Pokémon by attacks from your opponent’s Pokémon. Prevent all damage done to your Benched [L] Pokémon by attacks.
[L][L][C] Multi-Thunder 100
Discard all [L] Energy from this Pokémon. Choose 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon for each of your Benched [L] Pokémon in play. (You can choose a Pokémon more than once.) For each time you chose a Pokémon, do 40 damage to it. (Don’t apply Weakness or Resistance to Benched Pokémon.)
Meter Skill
Ability: Gigamotor
During your turn, choose up to 5 of your Benched Pokémon. For each of those Pokémon, attach a [L] Energy from your discard pile to that Pokémon.
Weakness: Fighting ×2
Resistance:
Retreat: [C][C]
Stage 2, Evolves from Eelektrik
Ability: Conductivity Buffer
Prevent all effects of attacks done to your [L] Pokémon by attacks from your opponent’s Pokémon. Prevent all damage done to your Benched [L] Pokémon by attacks.
[L][L][C] Multi-Thunder 100
Discard all [L] Energy from this Pokémon. Choose 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon for each of your Benched [L] Pokémon in play. (You can choose a Pokémon more than once.) For each time you chose a Pokémon, do 40 damage to it. (Don’t apply Weakness or Resistance to Benched Pokémon.)
Meter Skill
Ability: Gigamotor
During your turn, choose up to 5 of your Benched Pokémon. For each of those Pokémon, attach a [L] Energy from your discard pile to that Pokémon.
Weakness: Fighting ×2
Resistance:
Retreat: [C][C]
Kingambit Meter ex - HP 330 - M
Stage 2, Evolves from Bisharp
[M] Board Command 130
If you have 3 or fewer Benched Pokémon, you may search your deck for a Pawniard and a Bisharp and put them onto your Bench. Then, shuffle your deck.
[M][C] Active Slicing 170
During your opponent’s next turn, whenever 1 of your opponent's Pokémon moves from their Bench to the Active Spot, you may put 5 damage counters on their new Active Pokémon.
Meter Skill
[M] King’s Gambit 90+
Discard any number of your Benched Basic or Stage 1 Pokémon. This attack does 90 more damage for each Pokémon discarded in this way.
Weakness: Fire ×2
Resistance: Grass -30
Retreat: [C][C][C]
Stage 2, Evolves from Bisharp
[M] Board Command 130
If you have 3 or fewer Benched Pokémon, you may search your deck for a Pawniard and a Bisharp and put them onto your Bench. Then, shuffle your deck.
[M][C] Active Slicing 170
During your opponent’s next turn, whenever 1 of your opponent's Pokémon moves from their Bench to the Active Spot, you may put 5 damage counters on their new Active Pokémon.
Meter Skill
[M] King’s Gambit 90+
Discard any number of your Benched Basic or Stage 1 Pokémon. This attack does 90 more damage for each Pokémon discarded in this way.
Weakness: Fire ×2
Resistance: Grass -30
Retreat: [C][C][C]
Small Meter Canister - Trainer - Item
You must play 2 Small Meter Canister cards at once. (This effect works one time for 2 cards.)
Boost your Meter Gauge by 1.
Scientist’s Breakthrough - Trainer - Supporter
Search your deck for up to 2 Small Meter Canister cards and a Pokémon Meter ex, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
Burnt Out Energy Plant - Trainer - Stadium
Both player’s Pokémon can’t use Meter Skills.
You must play 2 Small Meter Canister cards at once. (This effect works one time for 2 cards.)
Boost your Meter Gauge by 1.
Scientist’s Breakthrough - Trainer - Supporter
Search your deck for up to 2 Small Meter Canister cards and a Pokémon Meter ex, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
Burnt Out Energy Plant - Trainer - Stadium
Both player’s Pokémon can’t use Meter Skills.
Shady Charged Dial - Trainer - Pokémon Tool
The Pokémon ex this card is attached to can use this Meter Skill.
Ability: Shadow Cache
During your turn, put 1 card from your discard pile on top of your deck.
Nova Charged Dial - Trainer - Pokémon Tool
The Pokémon ex this card is attached to can use this Meter Skill.
[C][C][C] Ultimate Turbo 150
Search your deck for up to 3 Basic Energy cards and attach them to your Pokémon in any way you like. Then, shuffle your deck.
The Pokémon ex this card is attached to can use this Meter Skill.
Ability: Shadow Cache
During your turn, put 1 card from your discard pile on top of your deck.
Nova Charged Dial - Trainer - Pokémon Tool
The Pokémon ex this card is attached to can use this Meter Skill.
[C][C][C] Ultimate Turbo 150
Search your deck for up to 3 Basic Energy cards and attach them to your Pokémon in any way you like. Then, shuffle your deck.
Last edited:
