Summary
- New players can enjoy visual cues and pop-up notifications in Pokemon TCG Pocket to understand gameplay mechanics easily.
- Beginners get up to 370 Pack Hourglasses by completing missions, offering a head start with free card packs and unlocks.
- Befriending whales in the game can accelerate progress by increasing the chances of encountering rare cards in Wonder Picks.
The Pokémon Company has launched an innovative mobile adaptation of the classic Trading Card Game with Pokemon TCG Pocket. This new format allows players to enjoy collecting new cards and participating in battles directly from their smartphones, providing a fresh experience for both newcomers and veterans of the franchise.
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For those starting out in Pokemon TCG Pocket, following some beginner tips can make a significant difference, especially to avoid getting lost amid so many options. With a few adjustments, it's possible to ensure a solid start in the game, whether interested in competitive matches or simply aiming to collect all possible cards.
14 Pay Close Attention to Visual Cues
Pocket Has Practical Accessibility Features
Fortunately for newcomers, Pokemon TCG Pocket's gameplay is beginner-friendly. The game offers visual cues and pop-up notifications during matches to help players understand the mechanics.
One important aspect to note is the colored halo around the cards at the start of each round: a blue halo indicates that the card is currently playable, a golden halo means the card can be Evolved (merged into another card, which also glows gold), and no halo signifies that the card cannot be played at that time.
While this basic feature may seem simple, it is ideal for players new to Pokemon Trading Card Games. Over time, the functions—play, Evolve, skip—will become second nature, allowing players to navigate the game without relying on these cues.
13 Exploit Your Beginner Resource Advantage
Pocket Is More Generous If You’re New
Pokemon TCG Pocket offers beginner players up to 370 Pack Hourglasses for completing specific missions, which translates to 30 free card packs or the opportunity to unlock 150 cards at no cost.
According to the game’s official Twitter account, players who finish the first set of Daily, Beginner, Advanced, and Battle Guide tasks can earn up to 150 Hourglasses. They can then participate in Solo mode, which provides an additional 220 free Hourglasses.
For those unfamiliar, Pack Hourglasses are gacha accelerators. Whenever players have 12 of them, they can open a pack regardless of the cooldown timer.
12 Pick the Starter Pack Consciously
Your Choice Influences the Early-Game Experience
In most mainline Pokemon games, players select a starter creature that shapes their early-game experience. In Pokemon TCG Pocket, this process is more subtle, and many fans may not even recognize it. However, the initial booster pack serves as a substitute for this.
Pokemon TCG Pocket: Best Pokemon EX Cards, Ranked
These are the best Pokemon EX cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket, along with details of what makes them so special.
For those seeking a strategic start, it’s advisable not to rely solely on instincts. Instead, players should choose their first pack based on three factors: starter deck, EX Pokemon, and Full Art Pokemon. Each of the three booster packs—Charizard, Pikachu, and Mewtwo—provides different types of these cards.
Here’s a table describing each pack’s unique content:
|
Booster Pack |
Starter Deck |
EX Card |
Full Art Card |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Charizard |
Grass |
Eggsexcute |
Charmander |
|
Pikachu |
Fire |
Arcanine |
Squirtle |
|
Mewtwo |
Fighting |
Marowak |
Bulbasaur |
11 Befriend Whales
Big Collectors Accelerate Your Progress
Premium players enhance the chances of obtaining rare cards for their friends list. By befriending whales—players who spend significantly on microtransactions—it is more likely to encounter rare or META cards in Wonder Picks.
If a player’s friend is a whale, their packs will regularly show up in the Wonder Pick menu. And since they constantly pull for new cards, they will trigger more rare Pokemon. All that remains for a whale’s friend to do is constantly check new Wonder Pick offers and spend their tokens on the ones that are worth it.
Wonder Pick pulls are limited, and players will need to invest in Wonder Hourglasses to activate them. But the good news is that these Hourglasses regenerate automatically, yielding free tokens every couple of hours.
10 Don't Forget The Daily Missions
An Excellent Way To Progress
Just as in other mobile games, Pokemon TCG Pocket has a series of daily missions that players can complete to earn in-game rewards, and it's important not to forget them. Besides the rewards, progression becomes easier and smoother for players.
This is particularly crucial for those who do not wish to invest real money in the game, making these daily missions the best way to progress and obtain new cards and packs without using external resources. Therefore, it's important to always keep an eye on when they become available and complete them as soon as possible.
9 Farm Hourglass and EXP with Auto-Battle
Pocket Has a Semi-AFK Farming Mode
The Solo mode in Pokemon TCG Pocket allows players to battle AI using an AFK feature. By activating Auto-Battle mode, the game will play decks automatically and collect rewards. Beginner players should utilize this method to gather as many Pack Hourglasses and Shop Tickets as possible early on. This strategy provides a head start, enabling more free gacha pulls before engaging in PvP matches.
Pokemon TCG Pocket: Best Fire-Type Cards, Ranked
Fire type cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket are capable of turning up the heat with their damage, and these are some of the strongest cards.
While the number of Hourglasses and Tickets that can be farmed in Solo mode is limited, these AFK battles also grant players EXP, which is crucial for Pokemon TCG Pocket’s account level-up. By completing these challenges, players can maximize their progression while gaining access to even more pulls and rarer Pokemon.
8 Unlock All Item Cards Before Entering PvP Matches
You Can Earn Them for Free
Every player, whether beginner or advanced, needs item cards to construct META decks. Pokemon TCG Pocket generously provides access to all fundamental item cards from the beginning, but many may overlook them since these free cards are only obtained by completing the Advanced Training tasks.
Players are strongly encouraged to skip initial PvP matches after basic training and instead head to the Guide menu to complete the advanced section. This strategy allows them to earn all item cards early, equipping them with useful options before entering more challenging matches.
Players can play as many item cards as they want during each round, providing flexibility and allowing for Energy-independent usage. This versatility makes item cards one of the most valuable components of every deck in Pokemon TCG Pocket.
7 Save Pack Points for Supporters
A Deck Without Key Supporters Is Not META
Each time players open a pack, they earn Pack Points, which can be exchanged in the booster pack shop for cards. The cost of cards in the shop ranges from 35 Pack Points to 2,500, depending on their types and rarities. Players are advised to invest their early points in unlocking key META supporters: Misty, Giovanni, and Sabrina.
Acquiring these metagame support units enables players to build stronger decks and gain a competitive edge. Additionally, it allows for greater access to various archetypes and deck styles, as some supporters are essential for specific lineups.
Players can unlock all three META Supporters with 210 Pack Points, which can be obtained relatively quickly, even for the F2P players.
6 Try To Complete Themed Collections
Grants Rewards And Diversifies The Collection
Completing themed collections in Pokemon TCG Pocket, besides being a fun goal, also grants rewards to assist progress. These objectives are specific and varied, such as obtaining all the Kanto pokemon, which earns players various items for purchasing new packs.
In addition to these immediate rewards, completing collections diversifies options when planning new strategies for competitive play. Some specific sets also offer secret cards upon completion, providing even more incentive for players.
5 It's Even More Fun With Friends
The Experience Becomes Even More Enjoyable
Playing with friends in Pokemon TCG Pocket can transform the experience, making it more enjoyable. Competing with acquaintances to see who has the best deck and sharing strategies enhances the gaming experience.
Beyond this interaction, there are in-game benefits to having friends added, such as utilizing the Wonder Pick mechanic. This system allows players to obtain exclusive cards from packs opened by others, including added friends, increasing the chance of obtaining the rarest cards.