Pokémon TCG Pocketis set to receive a host of changes to its trading system onWednesday, 30 July, but while the updates appear to provide clear improvements, it might be too late.Pokémon TCG Pocketlaunched in 2024 to huge interest, but that has worn off for many, with a poor trading system not helping its cause.
Players have had a number of major gripes withPokémon TCG Pocket, buttrading has been the biggest for most.The main stay Pokémon feature was missing at launch and is unnecessarily difficult to work, with random cards offered, having to give you your cards to participate and a complicated token system.
Changes To Pokémon TCG Pockets Trading Mechanics
Second Major Changes Since Trading Introduced
Thankfully, the second major update to trading is scheduled to take place alongside the release of its latest, currently unnamed, booster pack. The biggest changes involvetokens being replaced by Shinedust, which players have previously been able to accumulate by collecting multiple copies of the same cards.
There is also the added bonus ofbeing able to swap the old tokens for either shinedustor hourglasses, which will hugely benefit players such as myself, who have largely stayed away from trading. Previously, if you were trading with a random player who you didn’t know outside the game, there was no way to receive the specific cards you wanted.
However, now, when trading,you can add a wishlist of up to 20 cards,so the players you are trading with can see what cards you want. This, in theory, should make it a lot easier to complete sets that for solo players, are extremely difficult.
New Trading System Will Make It Easier To Find Cards You Need
Wishlists Will Make Completing Sets Easier
The biggest bonus with the planned trading updates is that they will make it much easier to complete any sets where you are missing a handful of cards. Pack Points can be used inPokémon TCG Pocketto select the individual cards you want, but this can take a long time to build up for any EX cards. Now, by having the option to provide wishlists, you should be able to get those last few cards you are desperately looking for.
It will also help new players with the game, as it is increasingly difficult to complete the oldest sets, such as the Genetic Apex ones which were launched with the game. If you find yourself with one or two reliable trading friends inPokémon TCG Pocket,you will have a realistic chance of catching up.
Is Trading Changes Enough To Save Pokémon TCG Pocket?
Too Little Too Late
When it was released,Pokémon TCG Pockethad huge download numbersand a lot of promise. However, the novelty has quickly worn off. The new trading features should help the more casual players feel like it is possible to complete the never-ending wave of new sets, such as the recent Eevee evolution expansion. However, it is too late,trading should have been in the game at launch, never mind nearly a year down the line.
The updates also leave out one notable problem with trading inPokémon TCG Pocket,you are still unable to trade the rarest cards in the game.Cards that are rated two stars or higher can’t be traded in the game. Whilst casual players may be satisfied by the updates, those who are looking to fully complete every set, including the rarest cards, are still left with a near-impossible task.
Pokémon TCG Pocket’spopularity is dwindling, and while the changes are good improvements for those still playing, it will not be enough to stop its momentum going in the wrong direction.
Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket
Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is a mobile adaptation that reimagines the classic TCG experience for iOS and Android devices.
