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New cards, new gameplay— Pokémon TCG Pocket offers a completely fresh experience, and it can be hard to figure out the most efficient strategies when starting the game.
That's why we created this beginner's guide to help you navigate your first steps. It's written primarily for free-to-play (f2p) players aiming to build a solid deck and use their resources efficiently.
Choosing the very first pack!
You have to choose between three booster packs from Genetic Apex when you start the game. This choice determines the content of the pack + your starter deck. Find all the details about each option in our article.
We currently recommended two options:
- The first Pikachu pack comes with Arcanine ex, a core Pokémon for one of the current best decks (Arcanine ex). However, the cards needed to wrap it up are spread in 3 other packs, which can be rough for f2p players.
This choice also comes with a deck that can form a good base for a Blaine deck. - The first Charizard pack comes with Exeggutor ex, a very good engine in decks. By only opening Mythical Island packs (and perhaps a couple of Charizard pack for good supporters), you can make a good Celebi ex deck in no time.
Make your first Wonder Pick, and complete your first missions. The early game is generous with Pack Hourglasses, so open more booster packs. It earns experience to level up and get even more Pack Hourglasses. By completing beginner missions, you'll be able to open a dozen booster packs in no time.
What's the best booster pack in TCG Pocket?
In Pokémon TCG Pocket, each booster pack includes specific cards in addition to a common pool.
Our evaluations for each of the booster packs currently available:
Genetic Apex
- The Charizard pack is currently the best pack for beginners. It contains cards such as Moltres ex, Charizard ex, Exeggutor ex and Erika, the Greninja line, the budget Blaine deck, the universally good supporter Sabrina...
- The Pikachu pack contains the Pikachu ex deck which have been consistently one of the best decks since the game release. It also contains Arcanine ex and Misty. The pack falls short in quality after opening these cards, which might be a bit rough for people who want the most options.
- The Mewtwo pack used to be one the best pick to have the most options in deckbuilding, but the release of Mythical Island generally powercrept it. It still contains one of the best deck of the format in Mewtwo ex and Gardevoir, a staple in any deck, and good support cards like Giovanni and Weezing.
Mythical Island
- The Mew pack has the main cards for three good decks in Celebi ex, Brock and Aerodactyl ex with Primeape. Although you will need to open packs from Genetic Apex to get the best supporters, this pack is certainly good for newcomers.
Pokémon TCG Pocket - Pack tier list
| Tier | Pack |
|---|---|
| Top recommendation for beginners | Charizard pack (Genetic Apex) |
| Very good recommendation for beginners | Mew pack (Mythical Island) |
| Good recommendation for beginners | Mewtwo pack (Genetic Apex), Pikachu pack (Genetic Apex) |
Check the updated deck ranking to make a more informed decision.
How to open more booster packs?
Complete missions
Beginner missions and Advanced missions will keep you busy for a while and provide great rewards, though unfortunately, they can only be completed once.
Battle guides
Head to Solo mode to start the Battle Guides and learn the basics of Pokémon matches. While only the first six guides are mandatory, completing Guides 8–12 is highly recommended as they reward valuable Items like X Speed and a Wigglytuff ex Rental Deck. For a deeper understanding of the gameplay mechanics in Pokémon TCG Pocket, check out our complete guide on how to play.
There are three ranks of Step-up battles (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced) and an Expert Solo Mode where you face decks of seven different types that progressively get stronger. In addition to earning extra Pack Hourglasses when you defeat them for the first time, you can also collect shop tickets by completing certain actions during the game (for example: playing with a deck that is strong or weak against the AI deck, not losing any points, or dealing 100 or more damage in a single attack)
To help you complete the intermediate and advanced battles as well as the extra actions, use the Rental Decks you obtain by pulling specific cards from booster packs:
- Cards from the Charizard pack: Charizard ex, Machamp ex, Blaine
- Cards from the Pikachu pack : Blastoise ex, Pikachu ex, Nidoking and Nidoqueen, Lt. Surge, Brock
- Cards from the Mewtwo pack: Venusaur ex, Mewtwo ex, Koga
- Cards from all Genetic Apex pack: Omastar, Kabutops and Aerodactyl
- Cards from the Mew pack: Celebi ex, Gyarados ex, Mew ex, Aerodactyl ex, Blue & Pidgeot ex
- Special, by going through all the Battle Guides: Wigglytuff ex
These Rental Decks can be used up to ten times. They're useful to complete the additional quests and earn more shop tickets.
Buy from the Shop
Once you've collected enough shop tickets, head to the shop. It offers multiple packs of:
- 10 Pack Hourglass
- 10 Pack Hourglass x6
- 10 Wonder Hourglass
- 10 Wonder Hourglass x6
This roughly translates to 7 extra booster packs and 6 extra Wonder stamina.
Go for the Refreshed Monthly offers first (3 shop tickets per hourglass) as they're limited in time, unlike the others. After completing these offer, you can aim for the one-time deals. It comes at a better rate of 2 shop tickets per hourglass but it never refreshes.
Level-up
Leveling up gives you 12 Pack Hourglass and 1 Poké gold per level (2 every 5 levels). Once you’ve collected 6 Poké gold, you can trade them for a booster pack. To accumulate the necessary experience to level-up, check our guide.
Daily Missions
Don’t forget to complete your daily missions and claim 4 Pack Hourglass every day. Get the daily gift bundle in the shop and check Wonder Pick frequently. You can try your luck when you need a specific card to complete your deck or when a pack has two potential good cards.
When to stop opening a certain type of booster pack?
When you’re deep into a pack and have already pulled two of multiple chase cards, there are diminishing returns in the quality of your openings. Although duplicates provide shinedust and can be converted into flair cosmetics and special shop tickets, this likely isn’t what you’re after the most. Our advice: Collect the batch with booster pack openings, and complete the rest with Wonder Picks, unless you really need it then you can use Pack Points.
Wonder Pick
Check the Wonder Pick board to fill the gaps. You can easily identify which pack to prioritize by looking for the icon in the corner of each Wonder Pick. With Wonder Picking, you should aim for Pokémon ex first as they offer the most cost-efficient option.
Pack Points
You can use Pack Points to craft any card you want, but it's best to reserve this option for cards as they're generally the hardest to get and emergencies.
Save your resources
Don’t ever feel pressured to use your resources (Poké Gold and Pack Hourglasses) to open booster packs. Once you’ve built the decks you were aiming for, there’s no need to continue. Pack hourglasses can be hoarded for later use and the two booster packs you receive daily (three with a Premium Pass) will be more than enough to diversify your options.
What are the best cards to collect?
In TCGs, we call staples cards that are good in most decks, usually thanks to their universally good effects. Here are some of these best cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket:
Currently the only Trainer capable of searching your deck for a Pokémon and add it to your hand.
Starter decks include 2 of them.
Taking Bill's effect from the TCG, Professor's Research is a staple in all decks.
Starter decks include 2 of them
Potion can keep your Pokémon out of harm's way for a huge tempo swing.
Sold for 2 shop tickets each at the store
Retreating protects a Pokémon from getting knocked out and allows to promote a stronger one.
Sold for 2 shop tickets each at the store
Sabrina disrupts your opponent’s setup and can secure you an easy knockout by forcing them to bring a weaker Pokémon from their bench into the active spot.
Found in Charizard pack (Genetic Apex)
Giovanni can add the necessary damage that you miss to knock out your opponent's Pokémon.
Found in Mewtwo Pack (Genetic Apex)
There are many other excellent Supporters and Pokémon that help certain types of decks (such as Misty for , Moltres ex for R) and strategies (the Weezing-Koga pair for stalling). These however commit you to a certain type of deck, so you should make sure to have the basics before investing in more specific cards.
Be sure to check the list of archetypes to understand their strategies and find tips to build the best decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket.