“Pokemon TCG Pocket” Gameplay Differences Analyzed, 40 “Genetic Apex” Cards Revealed So Far!

By: Water Pokémon Master · Posted Mar 12, 2024 at 12:09 PM · 39 Comments

Now that I have some time, let’s analyze the gameplay differences between Pokemon TCG Pocket and the regular Pokemon TCG!

The app was revealed two weeks ago on Pokemon Day. It features digital Pokemon pack opening and quick battles. It will release sometime in 2024.

You can only have up to three Benched Pokemon — instead of five.

Instead of Prize cards, each player earns points. A player wins the game when they earn three points (or presumably Knocks Out all of their opponent’s Pokemon). Knocking out a regular Pokemon yields one point. Knocking out a Pokemon ex yields two points. This also means your deck won’t have any cards locked up in Prize cards.

Pokemon all have +20 Weaknesses, similar to the Diamond & Pearl era. There are no Resistances.

The biggest difference in gameplay is the mysterious “Energy Zone.” It’s not yet clear how it works.

From what I can tell, your Energy Zone holds a stockpile of Energy you use throughout the game. There are multiple card effects that reference attaching Energy from your Energy Zone to your Pokemon:

Ability: Psy Shadow
Once during your turn, you may take 1 [P] Energy from your Energy Zone and attach it to the [P] Pokemon in the Active Spot.

Take 1 [F] Energy from your Energy Zone and attach it to your Golem or Onix.

[R] Inferno Dance: Flip 3 coins. Take an amount of [R] Energy from your Energy Zone equal to the number of heads and attach it to your Benched [R] Pokemon in any way you like.

Perhaps you will start the game with a certain amount of Energy in your Energy Zone, and you will only be able to attach one Energy per turn from your Energy Zone to your Pokemon. The effects above seem to imply they are helping you “break” a one-Energy-per-turn rule.

In terms of Energy Zone replenishment, perhaps you start the game with one Energy and then get an additional Energy each turn. Or the number of them ramps up somehow. It’s unclear how the types would be determined.

In the limited gameplay footage that was revealed, there is a circle on Player 1’s side side holding a Lightning Energy and a circle on Player 2’s side holding a Psychic Energy. These appear to be their Energy Zones. This is after a 17 minute game, and right before Player 1 attacks to win. There looks to be space for at least five Energy icons in each circle.

You can also see a few Pokemon on each side with Energy attached to them. Player 1 has four Lightning Energy in play and Player 2 has two Psychic Energy in play.

There don’t appear to be actual Energy cards in the game. Psy Shadow says “take 1 [P] Energy from your Energy Zone” and Inferno Dance says “take an amount of [R] Energy.” There’s no mention of Energy “cards” like there would be in the real game. So it doesn’t seem you will be placing Energy from your deck into this Energy Zone — plus it would be an extra step in a game that is supposed to be quicker and simplified.

It’s worth noting that My First Battle featured an “Energy” pile. Once per turn you could add an Energy card to this pile; you would not attach them to your individual Pokemon. The Energy would then power all of your Pokemon’s attacks.

The mechanic may have inspired Pocket‘s “Energy Zone.” However, it definitely won’t work the same way since we know Pocket has both the Energy “pile” and Pokemon with Energy attached.

The smaller Bench size, “Prize” points, and removal of Energy cards undoubtedly means the deck sizes in Pocket will be smaller. Perhaps 15 to 30 cards?

“Genetic Apex” Cards

It appears Genetic Apex is the name of the first set that will release in Pocket. It has an “A1” set symbol. The Pokemon Day video showed three booster packs featuring Mewtwo, Charizard, and Pikachu.

Each booster pack comes with five cards. In the video we see a few examples of pack openings. The last one is the rarest card in each pack.

You will be able to trade cards with friends, but the initial announcement noted that the trading feature may not be available at launch.

The game will allow you to open two packs a day for free. You will have to pay for packs beyond that. No pricing details have been announced yet.

Here are all of the cards revealed from Genetic Apex. Only a few English cards were revealed, whereas Japan revealed many more. Thanks goes to Bangiras for translating them!

Bulbasaur – Grass – HP70
Basic Pokemon

[G][C] Vine Whip: 40 damage.

Weakness: Fire (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢

Bellsprout – Grass – HP60
Basic Pokemon

[G] Vine Whip: 30 damage.

Weakness: Fire (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢

Charizard ex – Fire – HP180
Stage 2 – Evolves from Charmeleon

[R][C][C] Slash: 60 damage.

[R][R][C][C] Crimson Storm: 200. Discard 2 [R] from this Pokemon.

Pokemon ex rule: When your Pokemon ex is Knocked Out, your opponent gets 2 points.

Weakness: Water (+20)
Retreat: 2

Rarity: ♢♢♢♢

Vulpix – Fire – HP50
Basic Pokemon

[C] Tail Whip: Flip a coin. If heads, your opponent’s Active Pokemon can’t attack during your opponent’s next turn.

Weakness: Water (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢

Ponyta – Fire – HP60
Basic Pokemon

[R] Flare: 20 damage.

Weakness: Water (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢

Sizzlipede – Fire – HP60
Basic Pokemon

[C] Gnaw: 10 damage.

Weakness: Water (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢

Squirtle – Water – HP60
Basic Pokemon

[W] Water Gun: 20 damage.

Weakness: Lightning (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢

Psyduck – Water – HP60
Basic Pokemon

[C] Headache: 10 damage. Your opponent can’t play Supporter cards from their hand during their next turn.

Weakness: Lightning (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢

Shellder – Water – HP60
Basic Pokemon

[W] Tongue Slap: 20 damage.

Weakness: Lightning (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢

Magikarp – Water – HP30
Basic Pokemon

[C] Bounce: 10 damage.

Weakness: Lightning (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢

Vaporeon – Water – HP130
Stage 1 – Evolves from Eevee

[W][C][C] Bubble Drain: 60 damage. Heal 30 damage from this Pokemon.

Weakness: Lightning (+20)
Retreat: 2

Rarity: ♢♢♢

Greninja – Water – HP120
Stage 2 – Evolves from Frogadier

Ability: Water Shuriken
Once during your turn, you may do 30 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Pokemon.

[W][C] Mist Slash: 60 damage.

Weakness: Lightning (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢♢♢

Pikachu – Lightning – HP60
Basic Pokemon

[L] Gnaw: 20 damage.

Weakness: Fighting (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢

Pikachu ex – Lightning – HP120
Basic Pokemon

[L][L] Circle Circuit: 30x damage. This attack does 30 damage for each of your Benched [L] Pokemon.

Pokemon ex rule: When your Pokemon ex is Knocked Out, your opponent gets 2 points.

Weakness: Fighting (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢♢♢♢

Raichu – Lightning – HP100
Stage 1 – Evolves from Pikachu

[L][L][L] Thunderbolt: 140 damage. Discard all Energy from this Pokemon.

Weakness: Fighting (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢♢♢

Electabuzz – Lightning – HP70
Basic Pokemon

[L][L] Thunder Punch: 40+ damage. Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 40? more damage. If tails, this Pokemon does 20 damage to itself.

Weakness: Fighting (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢

Tynamo – Lightning – HP30
Basic Pokemon

[L] Tiny Charge: 30 damage.

Weakness: Fighting (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢

Pincurchin – Lightning – HP70
Basic Pokemon

[L][L] Thunder Shock: 30 damage. Flip a coin. If heads, your opponent’s Active Pokemon is now Paralyzed.

Weakness: Fighting (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢♢

Slowpoke – Psychic – HP70
Basic Pokemon

[P][C] Tail Whap: 30 damage.

Weakness: Darkness (+20)
Retreat: 2

Rarity: ♢

Slowbro – Psychic – HP130
Stage 1 – Evolves from Slowpoke

[P][P][C] Super Psy: 80 damage.

Weakness: Darkness (+20)
Retreat: 3

Rarity: ♢♢

Haunter – Psychic – HP80
Stage 1 – Evolves from Gastly

[P] Will-O-Wisp: 30 damage.

Weakness: Darkness (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢♢

Mewtwo ex – Psychic – HP150
Basic Pokemon

[P][C] Psychic Sphere: 50 damage.

[P][P][C][C] Psycho Drive: 150 damage. Discard 2 [P] Energy from this Pokemon.

Pokemon ex rule: When your Pokemon ex is Knocked Out, your opponent gets 2 points.

Weakness: Darkness (+20)
Retreat: 2

Rarity: ♢♢♢♢

Gardevoir ex – Psychic – HP110
Stage 2 – Evolves from Kirlia

Ability: Psy Shadow
Once during your turn, you may take 1 [P] Energy from your Energy Zone and attach it to the [P] Pokemon in the Active Spot.

[P][P][C] Psyshot: 60 damage.

Weakness: Darkness (+20)
Retreat: 2

Rarity: ♢♢♢

Golem

Unrevealed.

Onix

Unrevealed.

Hitmonlee – Fighting – HP80
Basic Pokemon

[F] Stretch Kick: This attack does 30 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokemon.

Weakness: Psychic (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢

Mienfoo – Fighting – HP60
Basic Pokemon

[C] Pound: 30 damage.

Weakness: Psychic (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢

Grimer – Darkness – HP70
Basic Pokemon

[D] Poison Gas: 10 damage. Your opponent’s Active Pokemon is now Poisoned.

Weakness: Fighting (+20)
Retreat: 3

Rarity: ♢

Meltan – Metal – HP70
Basic Pokemon

[M] Amass: Take 1 [M] Energy from your Energy Zone and attach it to this Pokemon.

Weakness: Fire (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢

Dratini – Dragon – HP70
Basic Pokemon

[W][L] Ram: 40 damage.

Weakness: none
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢

Chansey – Colorless – HP120
Basic Pokemon

[C][C][C] Slap: 60 damage.

Weakness: Fighting (+20)
Retreat: 3

Rarity: ♢♢

Kangaskhan – Colorless – HP100
Basic Pokemon

[C] Dizzy Punch: 30x damage. Flip 2 coins. This attack does 30 damage times the number of heads.

Weakness: Fighting (+20)
Retreat: 3

Rarity: ♢♢♢

Eevee – Colorless – HP60
Basic Pokemon

[C] Tackle: 20 damage.

Weakness: Fighting (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢

Aerodactyl – Colorless – HP100
Stage 1 – Evolves from Old Amber

[C][C] Primal Wingbeat: Flip a coin. If heads, your opponent shuffles their Active Pokemon back into their deck.

Weakness: Lightning (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢♢♢

Snorlax – Colorless – HP150
Basic Pokemon

[C][C][C][C] Rollout: 70 damage.

Weakness: Fighting (+20)
Retreat: 4

Rarity: ♢♢♢

Wooloo – Colorless – HP70
Basic Pokemon

[C][C] Tackle: 30 damage.

Weakness: Fighting (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ♢

Poke Ball – Trainer
Item

The effect is too blurry to read but is shorter than the real card.

Rarity: ♢

Old Amber – Trainer

Unrevealed.

Brock – Trainer
Supporter

Take 1 [F] Energy from your Energy Zone and attach it to your Golem or Onix.

You may play only 1 Supporter card during your turn.

Rarity: ♢♢

Lapras – Water – HP100
Basic Pokemon

[W] Hydro Pump: 20 damage. If this Pokemon has at least 3 extra [W] Energy attached, this attack does 70 more damage.

Weakness: Lighting (+20)
Retreat: 2

Rarity: ☆

Meowth – Colorless – HP60
Basic Pokemon

[C] Pay Day: 10 damage. Draw 1 card.

Weakness: Fighting (+20)
Retreat: 1

Rarity: ☆

Moltres ex – Fire – HP140
Basic Pokemon

[R] Inferno Dance: Flip 3 coins. Take an amount of [R] Energy from your Energy Zone equal to the number of heads and attach it to your Benched [R] Pokemon in any way you like.

[R][C][C] Heat Blast: 70 damage.

Pokemon ex rule: When your Pokemon ex is Knocked Out, your opponent gets 2 points.

Weakness: Lighting (+20)
Retreat: 2

Rarity: ☆☆