The focus of thePokemon TCGis undoubtedly on the cards, but for those of you who enjoy playing the game in addition to collecting the cards, you know the importance of Pokemon TCG playmats. While these accessories aren’t strictly required for playing and enjoying the TCG’s competitive side, they’re incredibly helpful and equally adorable to admire.
If you’ve played any TCG before, you’ve probably encountered an all-too-familiar struggle: picking up your individual, freshly sleeved cards from a flat surface. Pokemon playmats alleviate this issue and protect your cards in the process, providing a soft surface for them and a necessary lip that helps you pick up cards more easily.
Playmats listed were all available on thePokemon Centerfor $24.99 at the time of writing.
8Graveard Playmat
If you’re looking for a playmat with a simple design that won’t distract you while you’re busy playing the Pokemon TCG, then the Graveard playmat is a superb choice with its night sky background and muted color scheme. Graveard isn’t the most popular Pokemon, so this playmat probably won’t stand out due to its subject, but the background is one of the best available.
The starry night and foggy ghost-like clouds surrounding the Pokemon combine to form a serene nighttime scene unlike any of the other playmats you’ll find.
7Sylveon Playmat
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, you’ll find the bright, bold, and beautifully blue background of the Sylveon playmat.This Pokemon is known for its collection of valuable cards, which feature equally vibrant color schemes and plenty of detailing that requires a closer look to fully appreciate.
Sylveon is the star of the show here, as the Pokemon is much larger than the Graveard pictured on its playmat. There’s even a bubble-letter nametag on top, which seems slightly out of place, but might be your thing, especially if you’re still learning Pokemon names.
6Charming & Ghostly Playmat
Sylveon is adorable, and Graveard’s design is so calming, but what if you combined these two playmats into one? If you’re interested in an equal balance between cute and spooky, then the Charming & Ghostly playmat couldn’t be a more perfect option for you.
Gastly, Graveard, Phantump, Misdreavus, Duskull, Shedinja, and Hisuian Zorua appear across the purple background, offering a great variety of Pokemon that perfectly fit into the theme.
5Powerhouse Pokemon Playmat
If you love powerful pseudo-legendary Pokemon, some of whichmight or might not Mega Evolve,then look no further. The Powerhouse Pokemon playmat lives up to its name in every way, as the design oozes ferocity with its graphic novel-inspired art style.
The bold color choices and detailed splash pattern in the background are perfectly suited to the collection of powerful Pokemon featured. Dragonite, Tyranitar, Dragapult, Garchomp, and Metagross are just a few of the Pokemon that appear on this mat, and they’re a welcome sight for indecisive eyes.
4Paldea Pokemon Trainers Playmat
The Scarlet & Violet era brought us an incredible collection of setsto enjoy, along with plenty of new Pokemon trainers with which to familiarize ourselves.
This playmat might not be for you if you’re easily distracted, given the dozens of tiny trainers included, and the breadth of details to appreciate in each.
The best trainers from Paldea all get some love here, with fan-favorites like Larry, Nemona, Rika, Penny, Iono, and Arven all joined here by the signature Pokemon partners. The pattern of trainers repeats, so not every single icon is unique, but even considering the repetition, there are plenty of great choices included.
3Tatsugiri Playmat
Love the Scarlet & Violet era, but prefer something a little cleaner and brighter? The Tatsugiri playmat might be the perfect solution for you, boasting a perfect balance between eye-catching colors and easy-to-distinguish Pokemon.
Each color of Tatsugiri appears on this playmat’s artwork, alongside Dondozo, and even inside its mouth, helping to direct it. If you’re able to’t get enough of this unlikely combination of fishy friends, then you won’t find a better depiction of them, either on a Pokemon TCG card or another mat.
2Floral Flurry Playmat
The Floral Flurry mat returns to the school of incredibly detailed, busy designs, with plenty of stimuli to take in here. The pink flower petals provide a perfect atmosphere for the collection of Pokemon pictured here, each of which is connected by its adorable qualities.
Pikachu, Butterfree, Lilligant, Oddish, Bellossom, Sunkern, Eevee, Shaymin, and Beautifly are all included in this gorgeous scene as they enjoy a calm day in nature together. Even if you’re stuck inside while playing, this playmat will bring the outdoors to you, so you can finally say you touched grass.
1Eevee & Umbreon Twilight Playmat
When it’s not busy commanding attention withone of its famous Moonbreon artworks,Umbreon likes to kick back and stare out at the moon with Eevee, as the pair does on this playmat. While only their silhouettes are visible, this scene includes Umbreon, Eevee, Hoppip, and even a Ho-Oh flying across the sky in the background.
This playmat offers a beautiful scene to appreciate without causing too much distraction, as it emphasizes the calm nighttime background. Even though the Pokemon pictured lack their usual level of detail, it allows you to keep your attention focused on the game at hand.
