Pokemon TCG Pocket

Last updated September 19th, 2024 · Published by Water Pokémon Master

Pokemon TCG Pocket is a “free to start” mobile app that allows fans to open virtual Pokemon TCG booster packs, collect digital cards, and construct 20-card decks to battle other players. The cards in Pocket cannot be found in real-world booster packs; they exist exclusively within the app.

Pocket‘s cards use more streamlined effects and mechanics than the real Pokemon TCG. This is to make the battles faster and the gameplay more accessible to casual fans. In contrast, Pokemon’s other official app, Pokemon TCG Live, is a simulator that allows fans to use real cards in an online setting.

Pocket will launch worldwide on October 30th for iOS and Android. You can preregister for the game now. A soft launch will take place in New Zealand on Thursday, September 26th at 6 AM PDT.

The app has been created in collaboration with Creatures, the original developer of the Pokemon TCG, and DeNA, the mobile app company that developed Pokemon Masters EX.

Collecting

Pack Opening

The app’s primary focus is to collect digital Pokemon cards by opening virtual booster packs. Each booster pack contains five cards, with the highest rarity card in the back.

When opening a pack, you swipe the top of the booster pack to cut it open. You can also flip the pack over and open the cards in reverse order.

Players can open two booster packs a day for free. You can open one more pack by paying for a Premium Pass, which also unlocks other benefits.

All of the sets and cards within Pocket are exclusive to the app; they cannot be found in the real-world Pokemon TCG.

The first digital set to release for Pocket will be Genetic Apex focusing on Generation I Pokemon, including Mewtwo ex, Charizard ex, and Pikachu ex. It will feature 286 cards, including 226 cards in its main set and 60 secret rares.

Unlike the real Pokemon TCG, each booster pack design features a handful of exclusive cards. For example, you can only find Pikachu ex in the Pikachu booster pack from Genetic Apex.

Card Rarities

Cards from a main set (before secret rares) have rarities of either ♢, ♢♢, ♢♢♢, or ♢♢♢♢. These roughly correspond to Basic Pokemon, Stage 1 Pokemon, Stage 2 Pokemon, and Pokemon ex.

Like the real TCG, secret rare cards are reprints from the main set, but with special artwork that overtakes the entire card (coined “full arts” by fans). Their card numbers extend beyond the last card in the main set. These are the rarest cards.

Secret rares have rarities of either ☆, ☆☆, ☆☆☆, or ☆☆☆☆. These correspond to a full art Pokemon, a full art Pokemon ex or Supporter card, a full art “immersive” Pokemon ex, and a gold full art card.

Immersive cards allow you to “dive” into the artwork, exploring the background and off-screen scenery. They are essentially video clips that extend the artwork of the card.

Taking advantage of its digital medium, all of the app’s secret rares feature 3D effects.

Card Numbers

Cards in Pocket do not have card numbers printed on them. However, footage from the app shows they have internal card numbers so you can organize them in your virtual binder.

Recycled Artwork

While many of Pocket‘s cards feature new artwork, most cards recycle artwork from the real Pokemon TCG. The app uses artwork from as far back as the first Pokemon cards released in 1996. A few of these cards never released in English.

However, said cards do not have the same stats as the originals, so they’re technically different cards. They have different HP, different attacks, and sometimes different types. If you’re a fan of their artwork, you can collect their physical counterparts.

All of the app’s secret rare cards feature brand new artwork. This is because they’re the “chase” cards; the app makes its money off fans trying to collect them.

Achievements

You will level-up and earn achievements as you collect cards.

Trading

You will be able to trade cards with other players. Details have not been released yet.

Some of the trailers imply you can only trade a card for another card of the same rarity.

The feature will not be available at launch.

Wonder Pick

Wonder Pick allows you to gain a random card from another player’s recently opened booster pack. No further details have been revealed. Presumably you’ll be able to use the feature once per day.

The name may be inspired by the old “Wonder Trade” feature from the main series games, where you put up a Pokemon for trade and randomly received another player’s Pokemon.

Binders, Display Boards, and Playmats

The app will offer virtual TCG accessories, including binders, display boards, and playmats. It may also feature unique coins.

These may be earned as the player collects a certain number of cards or wins a number of battles.

Battling

Deck Mechanics

Players will construct 20-card decks instead of 60. You can’t have more than two copies of a card in your deck.

Decks will consist of Pokemon, Items, and Supporter cards. There are no Energy cards.

At the start of the game, you draw five cards and put down your Active Pokemon and up to three Benched Pokemon.

There are no Prize cards. The first player to win three points wins the match (one point for a regular Pokemon, two for a Pokemon ex).

When it’s your turn, an Energy will be generated in your Energy Zone. You will also be able to see the Energy that will be generated during your next turn. The Energy Zone only holds one Energy at a time. If a card lets you attach another Energy, such as Meltan, that Energy will appear in your Energy Zone for usage.

The generated Energy are based on the types of Pokemon in your deck.

The player going first can’t draw a card on their first turn or use an Energy. You can use a Supporter card. You can’t have more than 10 cards in your hand.

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

Most cards have simpler effects, as Pocket‘s gameplay is meant to be speedier and more accessible to casual fans.

Missions & Progression

There are countless daily missions you can complete to earn rewards. A few examples include:

  • Log in
  • Open 4 booster packs
  • Reach Player Level 3
  • Trade
  • Collect cards following certain themes, such as all Electabuzz & Magmar cards, all Kanto Starter Pokemon, all Eeveelutions, etc.

There is a solo mode for battling against the AI.

You can use AI to battle for you and even create decks based on cards you have. The game will also offer preconstructed decks for rental.

Monetization

By default you can open one booster pack every 12 hours, for a total of two packs a day. The app will begin a countdown timer for when you can open your next pack.

Pack Hourglasses

An in-game currency called “Pack Hourglasses” allows you to reduce the pack opening timer by one hour. If you use 12, for example, you’ll be able to open another pack right away.

You can earn Pack Hourglasses in a variety of ways, such as by increasing your player level or as mission rewards. You can use Pack Hourglasses as soon as you get them.

Poke Gold

The other in-game currency is “Poke Gold,” which you purchase with real money.

  • 5x Poke Gold costs $0.99
  • 15x costs $2.99
  • 50x costs $9.99
  • 500x costs $99.99

Each Poke Gold reduces the pack opening timer by two hours.

If you want to open another pack right away, it will cost 6x Poke Gold (around $1). If you want to open 10 booster packs, it will cost 60x Poke Gold (around $12).

You can’t use more than 720x Poke Gold per day (120 packs, or $150).

Poke Gold can also be used to purchase virtual TCG accessories.

Pack opening will thus work by using a combination of your daily packs, Pack Hourglasses, and Poke Gold.

Pack Points

You will earn 10 “Pack Points” for every booster pack you open.

You can exchange these points for any card in the game. This is handy if you can’t pull a certain card.

  • 35 points: a ♢ card.
  • 70 points: a ♢♢ card.
  • 150 points: a ♢♢♢ card.
  • 400 points: a ☆ card.
  • 500 points: a ♢♢♢♢ card.
  • 1250 points: a ☆☆ card.
  • 1500 points: a ☆☆☆ card (immersive cards).
  • 2500 points: a ☆☆☆☆ card (crown rares).

The rarest cards in the game will be gold full art cards with a ☆☆☆☆ rarity. These are called “crown rares” and there are only three in the game. None have been revealed yet.

Premium Pass

You can buy a monthly “Premium Pass” for $9.99. This is essentially a monthly subscription to Pocket.

The Premium Pass allows you to open three booster packs a day instead of two.

It will also give you access to “Premium Missions.” These reward promo cards and accessories, like card sleeves and coins. The promo cards will be alternate art versions of existing cards.

Meowth’s full art will be one of the exclusive promos for Premium Missions. Meowth is still available in Genetic Apex, so these alternate art promos won’t affect deck building if you don’t buy the Premium Pass.

Players will be allowed to try the Premium Pass two weeks for free.

Pocket Sets

  • Genetic Apex, released October 30th, 2024, featuring Mewtwo ex and many Generation I Pokemon.

Background

Pocket appears to be Pokemon’s response to Marvel Snap and Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Links. Both virtual card apps have generated a stunning amount of downloads and revenue. It appears The Pokemon Company wants to capture some of that market.

Some fans were skeptical when this app was first announced. You’re supposed to collect digital cards, not real ones? You have to pay for virtual packs? The game features watered-down Pokemon TCG battles?

However, this news story explains why the app may prove to be incredibly popular.

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