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Even though the focus of the game is collecting,Pokemon TCG Pocketdoes include a battle system with both PvP and PvE elements. But the Pocket version is significantly reduced in size and complexity to the point that it’s almost a totally different game.
Veterans of the physical card game and Pokemon TCG Live will find lots of familiar elements, alongside some significant changes that will seriously affect both the way they play and the way they build decks. So this guide details exactly how Pokemon TCG Pocket battles are different from battles in other Pokemon TCG games.
Deckbuilding Differences
In Pokemon TCG Pocket,each deck only contains 20 cards, down from 60 in the standard version of the game, butmust still contain at least one Basic Pokemon.
Along with the reduced deck size, you’re also restricted totwo copies of cards with the same name. You can’t include four Charmander to ensure that you have the right Basic Pokemon to evolve into Charizard later.
On the plus side, you don’t need to make room for Energy in your deck:there are no Energy cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket, since you’ll instead receive Energy from the Energy Zone during the game. This energy is randomly generated based on the Energy used for attacks in your deck, so including one Water Pokemon in a Fire deck can be problematic.
The Energy Zone appears toequally weight all energy types found in your deck, so including one Dratini in a Water-type deck will result in a 50:50 split between Water and Electric Energy.
This can make it tough to power up Energy-specific moves like Articuno ex’s Blizzard, andincentivizes you to build single-color decks.
Rules Differences
The rules in Pokemon TCG Pocket are very similar to the game’s standard version, with a few notable exceptions.
First, there areno Prize Cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket. Instead, the winner is decided by points, similar to theMy First Battlegame packs.The first player to reach three points wins, and most Pokemon are worth one point to Knock Out.
Most Pokemon are worth a single point, but ex Pokemon are worth two points.
Next, there are no Energy cards, butthere is an Energy Zone that supplies one Energy per turn. It only supplies Basic Energy, and only of a type that your deck uses, so you never need to worry about running out of Energy in a game.
Another similarity to the My First Battle game packs is thatthe Bench is reduced to three Pokemon. This prevents the screen from being crowded with extra Pokemon cards, but alsoreduces your options and the number of Abilities you can access from the Bench, making each slot that much more valuable.
Because the deck is smaller, the hand size has also been adjusted.At the start of each game, you draw five cards, not seven. There is also amaximum hand size of ten cards, compared to the unlimited hand size of the standard game.
Finally,you cannot lose by running out of cardsin your deck. If your deck is depleted, you continue to play, skipping all draws until the game ends with a winner on either side.
Player Action Differences
The actions that you can take during 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 function the samein Pokemon TCG Pocket as they do in the standard Pokemon TCG.
Even if you’re a Pokemon TCG veteran, ensure you read the cards. Many cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket have thesame name and art as cards in the standard version, but very different functions.
Play A Basic Pokemon
Just like the standard version of the game, you’re able to 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 this mechanic is otherwise unchanged.
Attach Energy
Attaching an Energy in Pokemon TCG Pocket is similar to attaching 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 in your Active position.
The difference is thatyour deck does not contain any Energy cards, so there’s 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 randomlygenerates one Energy per turn, based on the attacks in your deckrather than the Pokemon types. For example, Dragonite’s Draco Meteor attack uses an Electric Energy and a Water Energy, so the Energy Zone can produce either if Dragonite is in your deck, but will not attempt to make Dragon Energy.
Playing Supporters
Just like the standard Pokemon TCG, you can only play one Supporter per turn. However,you can play a Supporter on your first turn, even if you go first.
Card Differences
It’s normal for Pokemon to be printed from set to set with different HP, attacks, retreat costs, and even types. However, cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket have some layout changes, as well.
Most players will recognize that HP, attacks, retreat cost, and other important information are present in the same location between both Pokemon TCG Pocket and standard cards. However, Weakness and Resistance have been changed:Weakness is now calculated as a flat +20 damage, andResistance is removed entirely.
Both of these changesreduce the advantage that a deck gains from playing against a deck of an opposing type, which is important for a game that encourages you to build single-type decks.
