The 2025 North America International Championship (NAIC) introduced a new double-deck competitive format for Pokemon TCG Pocket. For those unfamiliar, NAIC is a major annual tournament where players compete for Championship Points. These points later qualify them for the main event, the Pokemon World Championship. This is the first time NAIC has dedicated a spot specifically to Pokemon TCG Pocket, albeit as a side activity.
There are already subtle signs that official championships might soon become a reality. One such hint is Pokemon Korea's eight-player, invite-only tournament that recently caught fans' attention. However, the fanbase has been concerned about one aspect of high-stakes competitions: match fairness. After all, Pokemon TCG Pocket's multiplayer has been problematic since launch, often criticized for its RNG mechanics that can affect match outcomes. This is certainly a valid worry, but the newly introduced competitive format might help reduce—or even negate—RNG's influence.
Pokemon TCG Pocket Reveals Major Changes to Ranked Matches
Pokemon TCG Pocket announces major changes to ranked matches that could impact the grind for Ultra Ball and Master Ball titles.
Unlike regular matches, Pokemon TCG Pocket's double-deck format requires both players to pick two lineups from the start. Each time a player wins a match, they must switch decks, with the player who wins two matches becoming the ultimate winner. Many fans now believe this approach is perfect for championships, since it gives players a chance to recover from the RNG of the first match. It also allows them to bring out their counter deck in the second match, providing a significant advantage. Additionally, some have pointed out that the format seems to be ideal for a Swiss-system tournament, too, which has been the standard layout in most unofficial competitions.
Pokemon TCG Pocket's Double-Deck Format Rules
- Players pick two decks at the start of a match.
- The decks must include unique Pokemon, though they may share Trainer Cards.
- Players reveal both decklists before the first match.
- Once a player wins a match with a deck, they are not allowed to use that specific deck in the upcoming rounds.
At the start of a double-deck match, each player must build two regular Pokemon TCG Pocket setups. They then reveal their lineups and pick one for the first match. The winner must switch to the other deck, while the loser gets to choose which deck they want to use next. In the end, the player who wins one match with each of their decks is recognized as the ultimate winner.
One of the primary issues in the Pokemon TCG Pocket meta over the past few seasons has been its one-sidedness. In other words, there hasn't been enough room for many decks to shine simultaneously, as the few top setups dominate the rest. If anything, the new double-deck format could encourage players to experiment with more decks and eventually diversify the competitive scene.
Fans looking to see the double-deck format in action should mark August 15 on their calendars. On that day, the Pokemon World Championship, one of the biggest video game conventions, will host the first-ever casual double-deck championship in Pokemon TCG Pocket. Even better, the competition will be open to all participants, allowing any player to sign up and compete without invitations.
- Released
- October 30, 2024
- Developer(s)
- DeNA, Creatures Inc.
- Publisher(s)
- The Pokemon Company
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- Yes
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Digital Card Game
