Pokémon TCG Pocket Announces Upcoming Changes to Trading System

The developers of Pokémon TCG Pocket have finally unveiled significant updates to the game's much-criticized trading system, which has been a source of frustration for players since its launch. These updates promise substantial improvements, but players will need to exercise patience as the implementation is slated for the fall.

In a detailed post on the Pokémon community forums, the developers outlined the following changes:

Removal of Trade Tokens

• Trade tokens will be entirely eliminated, freeing players from the need to sacrifice cards to acquire trading currency.
• Trading cards of three-diamond, four-diamond, and one-star rarity will now require shinedust.
• Shinedust will be automatically earned when opening booster packs if you receive a card already registered in your Card Dex.
• Since shinedust is currently used for obtaining flair, the developers are considering increasing its availability to support trading as well.
• This change is expected to enable more frequent trading than the current system allows.
• Existing trade tokens will be converted into shinedust upon removal from the game.
• Trading of one-diamond and two-diamond rarity cards remains unchanged.

Additional Updates in Development

• A new feature will allow players to share cards they are interested in trading, enhancing the in-game trading experience.

The current trade token system has been widely criticized for its cumbersome nature. To trade even one ex Pokémon card, players must discard five other ex cards just to obtain the necessary trade tokens, a process that discourages many from trading altogether. The introduction of shinedust as the new trading currency is a welcome shift. Shinedust is already part of the game, used for purchasing "flairs" — animations that enhance cards during matches. Players accumulate shinedust passively through duplicate cards and various in-game events. This change is expected to make trading more accessible and less costly.

It's worth noting that some trading cost is essential to prevent system abuse, such as creating multiple accounts to accumulate rare cards and transfer them to a main account. The trade token system, however, was excessively punitive. The upcoming changes aim to strike a better balance.

The ability to share desired trade cards directly within the game is another game-changer. Currently, players must communicate outside the game to specify their trading interests, which severely limits trading with strangers. The new feature will streamline the process, making it easier for players to make and receive reasonable trade offers.

The community has responded positively to these planned updates, though there is a significant downside: many players have already sacrificed rare cards to accumulate trade tokens, and those cards cannot be recovered. While existing trade tokens will convert to shinedust, the loss of rare cards remains a sore point.

Unfortunately, these much-needed changes won't take effect until the fall, which means players may see trading activity decline further as they await the new system. With several expansions likely to be released before the trading system overhaul, the "trading" aspect of Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket may remain underutilized until the update is live.

In the meantime, players are advised to conserve their shinedust in anticipation of the new trading system.