What is Pokemon TCG Pocket ?
Pokemon TCG Pocket is a mobile application offering a new way to play the Pokemon card game. It’s a counterpart to the current Trading Card Game (TCG): it features entirely new cards with unique attacks and effects, a simplified rule set, some nostalgic artworks from the TCG and many exclusive ones with stunning visual effects to boast. This blend of nostalgia and freshness caters to both seasoned players and newcomers.
The core concept: you get two free booster packs every day. You can add these cards to your collection, trade them with your friends and improve your decks to engage in fast-paced and strategic battles. The name “Pocket” encapsulates both the portability of this mobile application, accessible at all times from the phone in your pocket, and a nod to the original meaning of Pokemon: Pocket Monsters.
When is Pokemon TCG Pocket Planned for Release?
Announced in February 2024 during the Pokémon Presents conference, Pokemont TCG Pocket was confirmed to be released on October 30 at the Pokémon Worlds Championship 2024 by the President of the Pokémon Company himself. Trainers from New Zealand will enjoy an earlier soft launch, tho no date has been mentioned yet.
Pokemon TCG Pocket will be released in 89 countries.
Who's Behind Pokémon TCG Pocket?
Pokémon TCG Pocket is the result of a collaboration between The Pokémon Company, the primary entity behind the Pokémon brand; Creatures Inc., one of the co-owners of the Pokémon franchise responsible for creating the TCG and contributing to the development of various Pokémon video games; and DeNa, a mobile game developer known for the Pokémon Masters EX application. On April 26, 2024, DeNa established the Pokémon Card D Studio as a subsidiary, with DeNa holding majority ownership and The Pokémon Company holding minority ownership, to enhance collaboration between the two companies.
This marks the first time that the Pokémon Company itself is involved with a video game around the Pokémon TCG ever since the second TCG game on the Game Boy in 2001.
How to download TCG Pocket ?
Pokemon TCG Pocket is set to be released on iOS and Android devices. You can download the application from the App Store or Play Store depending on your mobile device’s operating system. Alternatively, you can use smartphone emulators to play it on your computer, although they must be connected with accounts that can download from the Apple Store or the Play Store. It’s possible that a Steam release might follow, but no plans have been announced so far.
Until Pokémon TCG Pocket officially debuts, you can pre-register in the hopes of getting extra bonus when you start the game.
Some countries, due to local laws or export policies, won’t have access to Pokemon TCG Pocket. This includes countries such as the Netherlands and Belgium (gambling law) and Russia.
What's in a booster pack ?
A booster pack contains 5 cards chosen at random from a determined set, with the latest card being the most rare. The lowest rarity pull is 4 common cards and one uncommon card, but this varies and you can pull cards of multiple rarities in one single booster pack.
What are the modes to play Pokemon TCG Pocket ?
While we know that TCG Pocket is free-to-play and accessible to everybody, it’s currently hard to tell what the experience on the software will be. We’ve seen booster packs opening, a binder tab, trading cards with other players and a quick battle feature. It’s currently unknown whether there will be a Solo mode where you face computers, a training mode, or two kinds of ladders like in Pokemon TCG Live: one for casual matches, one for ranked matches. We could also expect daily missions to get some kind of currency to get more booster packs or single cards.
A Premium Pass has been announced which grants an extra free pack per day and access to Premium Missions. Their content and rewards are currently unknown.
How does Pokemon TCG Pocket Compare vs Pokemon TCG Live?
Not a Replacement: a New TCG experience
One of the most important clarifications is that Pokémon TCG Pocket does not replace existing Pokémon TCG platforms like Pokémon TCG Live or the physical card game. It doesn’t bring the massive catalog of the Pokémon TCG : the cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket are entirely new and exclusive to the game. While some nostalgic artworks are featured, the abilities and effects are designed specifically for the mobile exclusive game’s mechanics. This ensures that the cards and strategies are tailored for quick, strategic gameplay which will create a unique metagame. It’s a new way to enjoy the card game.
A Digital-Only Format
Unlike Pokémon TCG Live, which simulates the traditional TCG experience in a digital format, Pokémon TCG Pocket is a mobile-exclusive application. It focuses on providing a streamlined, quick-play version of the game that is accessible anytime and anywhere from your mobile device. This makes it perfect for casual play and for those looking to enjoy the Pokémon TCG in a more flexible, on-the-go manner. Thanks to this, there are no regional differences in the card release schedule: everyone will have access to new cards simultaneously, and it is presumed that you’ll be able to trade with and play against players worldwide.
Free Stuff, Trading Unlocked!
TCG Pocket’s main feature is that players receive two free booster packs each day. This model makes it easy for casual players to build their collections without significant investment. And unlike Pokémon TCG Live and most similar TCG apps, Pokémon TCG Pocket actually brings the “T” in TCG as a trading feature is announced. Non-player collectors will be able to build a full collection in their pocket.
New Arts and Immersive Effects
Pokémon TCG Pocket leverages the digital format to include unique stunning visual effects and immersive card designs on top of exclusive Pokémon artworks. These features enhance the visual appeal and provide a unique experience that cannot be replicated in the physical TCG or even in Pokémon TCG Live.
Let’s summarize :
- Pokemon TCG Live:
Aimed at players who want a digital experience that closely mimics the traditional TCG, including deck building and competitive play. Developed by The Pokémon Company International.
- Pokemon TCG Pocket:
Aimed at casual players, returning and new fans, and those who enjoy quick, accessible gameplay with unique digital features, without having to navigate the overwhelming amount of pre-existing TCG cards.
What are the Differences in Gameplay between Pocket and the TCG ?
TCG & Live gameplay
Pokemon TCG Live reproduces the exact same gameplay as the real life TCG :
- You play a deck of 60 cards containing Pokémon, Trainer and Energy cards. Each card with the same name and effect can be played to up to 4 copies, as long as they’re legal (format legality, banlist, specific rules)
- You open the game with 7 cards in your hand. You must put at least one Pokemon in play, in the Active spot. If you can’t, reveal your hand, shuffle it back to your deck and draw 7 cards again (it’s called a mulligan). Repeat the process if necessary. Your opponent can draw a number of extra card up to each mulligan you took
- You can play up to 5 Basic Pokemon on your bench in addition to your Active Pokemon
- After you both confirmed that you have a Pokemon in play (it first comes into play face-down), you take the first 6 cards on the top of your deck and put them in the Prize zone, face-down.
- A turn starts with drawing (even if it’s the first turn of the game)
- You play your turn. You can perform all the actions written on your cards, and other actions limited to once per turn such as :
- Attaching an Energy
- Retreating your Active Pokemon to promote one of your Benched Pokemon to its stead
- Use a Trainer card of the “Supporter” class
- You can evolve one of your Pokemon by stacking a Pokemon of a higher stage that evolves from it. You can evolve as many times as you want per turn, but only once on that Pokemon, and not the turn it came into play
- The last action you perform in your turn is attack with your Active Pokemon on your opponent’s Active Pokemon if it has sufficient energies to do.
- When a Pokemon is knocked down, their owner promotes one of their Benched Pokemon to the Active Spot. If a player cannot, they lose the game.
- Everytime you knock down an opponent’s monster, you take one prize and add it to your hand. Some monsters give an extra prize when knocked out, such as Pokemon ex. A player who gets all of their prizes wins the game
TCG Pocket gameplay
Pokemon TCG Pocket is meant to offer a faster paced experience, more suitable to mobile gameplay. These changes in gameplay aim to reduce the length of a game than TCG but also to reduce the amount of “non games”. Here are the key differences:
- Deck Size and Composition: Deck sizes in Pokemon TCG Pocket are smaller compared to the traditional 60-card decks : they’re made of 20 cards. Cards with the same name and effects might also be played up to 3 of to adjust to the new deck size. The opening hand might consist of 5 cards.
- Fewer Benched Pokemon: Players can have up to three Benched Pokemon instead of the traditional five.
- Energy Zone: The game features an “Energy Zone,” a new mechanic where players manage a shared pool of Energy that can be allocated to their Pokemon each turn. This replaces the traditional method of attaching Energy cards directly to Pokemon. This likely means you won’t need to take space in your deck to include these cards, nor will you be forced to pass your turn without being able to attach an energy. Missing the “energy drop” can put you behind your opponent and this aims to prevent losing by default. Energy acceleration is now mostly done thanks to trainer or Pokemon abilities or attacks to be able to attach more than 1 Energy per turn
- Points System Instead of Prize Cards: Instead of using Prize cards, players earn points for various in-game actions, such as knocking out opponent’s Pokemon. A player wins by accumulating three points. Regular Pokemon yield one point, while Pokemon ex yield two points. This replaces the prize system that locks up your cards at random, sometimes critical cards that are essential to your normal development in the game.
- Simplified Rules: Pokemon have a fixed +20 Weakness and no Resistance, similar to the mechanics seen in the Diamond & Pearl era. This hints at a more balanced format compared to the weaknesses in the Pokemon TCG that double damage. Resistance is a rather sparse feature on TCG cards, so dropping it is likely a case of simplification. Matches will also have a 5 minute timer.
Other resources
Read our other pages and articles to know more about the game :
