Pokemoncardmaker. org is arguably your best bet when it comes to online templates. It’s by far the most customizable and compatible with all Pokémon trading card game systems. [1] X Research source pokemoncardmaker. org If you’re looking for something more basic, Mypokecard. com will suit your purposes with minimal hassle. [2] X Research source www. mypokecard. com/en If you’re not the DIY type, you can upload a . jpg or . png file to the site and use that has your card artwork.

As a starting exercise, you can try copying an official illustration of one of the Pokémon. If you’re inventing one of your own Pokémon and are having a difficult time inventing something you’re satisfied with, look at real-world animals, which some of the most memorable looking Pokémon are based on. Look up some different kinds of animals, or go to the zoo. If the look of an animal appeals to you, base your Pokémon around it.

If you’re doing a version of an existing Pokémon, keep some examples of that Pokémon on hand to look at when you’re in need of inspiration.

If you’re new to Pokémon card creation, working with a shaded background may be best, as it will help make the illustrating process significantly easier.

If you’re still having trouble grasping the specific art style of the Pokémon universe, try copying some official Pokémon illustrations first. This will acclimate your hand and eyes to the colourful aesthetic of the franchise.

Although pencil crayons may be your go-to favourite, they usually lack the shiny boldness associated with Pokémon cards. Coloured marker pens may lend the best results.

If you are making a version of an existing Pokemon, you won’t have to worry about stats as much, as you’ll already have the existing Pokemon’s statistics to fall back on if you’re not interested in meddling with them.

Base stats include HP (Hit Points), Attack, Defence, Special Attack, Special Defence, and Speed. For example, a Rattata has 30 base Hit Points and a 56 Attack rating. If you were making a Rattata Pokémon card, you could follow these stats exactly, or you could change them and add your own twist by modifying them slightly or significantly. [9] X Research source

Lists of all of the known Pokémon attacks may be found online. Take care to note the type (Fighting, Poison, Normal etc. ) of attack as well as the power (damage) and power points (cost) of each attack. Use a few of these on your cards before you try making your own. [11] X Research source For example, the well-known attack “Blizzard” is Ice-based, has a Power rating of 110, a power points cost of 5, and an accuracy of 70. Of course, if you’re using an existing Pokémon for your card creation, you can simply copy the attacks (and stats) from an existing version.

Alternatively, you can make the card purely for its aesthetic value, in which case you can completely do without all notions of balance and restraint, should you wish to do so.