[Questions] Rules questions

[DMHIGHTOWER]

I just started playing Pokemon TCG when I bought a Battle Academy box for my 8 year old grandson. I am very happy with the format they use to teach the game! I have a few questions however,

1- On a player turn, is drawing a card from their deck the FIRST step? Can a player do something else first, such as play a Trainer or Energy card?

2- Can any attack by an active Pokemon target a Pokemon on the target player's bench? Or does the attack have to specify that it may target a Pokemon on the bench?

 

[icycatelf]

1. The only thing you do before drawing a card is your "between turns" step (flipping a coin to see if your Pokémon is still Asleep, putting damage counters on Poisoned Pokémon, etc.). (Certain Abilities and Trainer card effects also activate between turns, like Dark Tyranitar's Sand Damage and Shrine of Punishment.) Otherwise, drawing a card must be your first move. If your turn—after the "between turns" step—starts and you have no cards in your deck, even if there are other things you could do, you automatically lose the game.

2. Benched Pokémon only receive damage if specified. Here are a few examples:

(Mew's Psypower can put damage counters on the Defending Pokémon and/or your opponent's Benched Pokémon.)