How pocket battles are different from Pokemon TCG in Pokemon TCG Pocket

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Even though the focus of the game is collecting, Pokémon TCG Pocket includes a battle system with both PvP and PvE elements. But the Pocket version is significantly reduced in size and complexity to the point of being almost a completely different game.



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If you're looking for a fair and balanced meta in Pokemon TCG Pocket, you're playing the wrong game

Pokemon TCG Pocket already has a way to win in the first round, and it probably always will.

Veterans of the physical card game and Pokémon TCG Live will find many familiar elements, along with some significant changes that will seriously impact both how they play and how they build decks. So this guide describes exactly how Pokemon TCG Pocket battles are different from battles in other Pokemon TCG games.


Differences in deck construction

A partial view of the cards in a simple Pokemon TCG pocket deck.

In the Pokemon Pocket TCG, each deck contains only 20 cardsdown from 60 in the standard version of the game, but it must still contain at least one Basic Pokemon.

In addition to the small deck size, you are also limited to two copies of cards with the same name. You can't include four Charmanders to ensure you have the right basic Pokemon to evolve into Charizard later.


On the bright side, you don't need to make room for Energy in your deck: There are no Energy cards in Pokemon TCG Pocketas you will instead receive Energy from the Energy Zone throughout the game. This energy is generated randomly based on the energy used for attacks in your deck, so including a Water Pokemon in a Fire deck can be problematic.

It seems that the Energy Zone is
Weigh all energy types in your deck equally
so including a Dratini in a Water-type deck will result in a 50:50 split between Water and Electric Energy.

This can make it difficult to power up specific energy moves like Articuno's Blizzard ex and
it incentivizes you to build single-color decks
.

Differences in rules

Players earn points instead of rewards in Pokemon TCG Pocket.

The rules of Pokemon TCG Pocket are very similar to the standard version of the game, with some notable exceptions.


First of all, they are there no reward cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket. Instead, the winner is decided based on points, similar to My First Battle game packs. The first player to reach three points winsand most Pokemon are worth a point to be KO'd.

Most Pokemon are only worth one point, but former Pokemon are worth two points.

Next, there are no Energy cards, but there is an Energy Zone that provides one Energy per turn. It provides only basic Energy, and only the type used by your deck, so you'll never have to worry about running out of Energy in a game.

Another similarity to the My First Battle game packs is this the bench is reduced to three Pokemon. This prevents the screen from being crowded with extra Pokemon cards, but also it reduces your options and the number of abilities you can access from the Bench, making each slot much more valuable.


Since the deck is smaller, the hand size has also been changed. At the start of each game you draw five cardsnot seven. There is also a the maximum hand size is ten cardscompared to the standard game's unlimited hand size.

Finally, you can't lose by running out of cards in your deck. If your deck is exhausted, you continue playing, skipping all draws until the game ends with a winner on both sides.

Differences in player actions

Copies of the Professor's Research show that cards with the same name can have completely different effects.

The actions you can take on your turn are almost identical to the standard rules, with some exceptions. Evolving Pokemon, drawing cards, playing Item and Stadium cards, retreating, and using a Pokemon's Ability all work the same way in the Pocket Pokemon TCG as in the standard Pokemon TCG.


Even if you're a Pokemon TCG veteran, be sure to read the cards. Many cards in the Pokemon Pocket TCG have the extension
same name and card graphics in the standard version, but very different functions
.

Play a Basic Pokémon

The Eevee card, no. 207 in Genetic Apex, from Pokemon TCG Pocket.

Just like the standard version of the gameyou can play any number of Basic Pokemon on your Bench as long as you have an open position for them. The number of bench positions is reduced from five to three, but otherwise this mechanic remains unchanged.

Attach energy

The rare illustration of Dragonite, from Genetic Apex


Attaching an Energy in Pokemon TCG Pocket is similar to attacking an Energy in the standard game: you can only attach one Energy per turn, and you can attach it to any Pokemon on your Bench or Active Location.

The difference is this Your deck contains no Energy cardsso there is no need (or way) to include them. Instead, you receive one Energy per turn from the Energy Zone, to the right of your Bench.

The Energy Zone randomly Generate one Energy per turn, based on the attacks in your deck rather than Pokemon types. For example, Dragonite's Draco Meteor attack uses an Electric Energy and a Water Energy, so Energy Zone can produce both if Dragonite is in your deck, but it won't attempt to create Dragon Energy.

Playing to the fans

Card with full art of Blaine, from Pokemon TCG Pocket.


Just like in the standard Pokemon TCG, you can only play one Supporter per turn. However, you can play a Supporter on your first turneven if you go first.

Differences between the cards

Comparison between Genetic Apex and Sun and Moon Arcanine cards.

It's common for Pokemon to be printed from set to set with different HP, attacks, retreat costs, and even types. However, cards in the Pokemon Pocket TCG also feature some layout changes.

Most players will recognize that HP, attacks, retreat cost, and other important information are present in the same location among both Pokemon TCG Pocket cards and standard cards. However, weakness and resistance have been changed: Weakness is now calculated as a flat +20 damageAND The resistance is completely removed.


Both of these changes they reduce the advantage a deck gains when playing against an opposing type deckwhich is important for a game that encourages you to build single-type decks.

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