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Even though the core focus ofPokemon TCG Pocketis collecting, there’s still a robust battle system to keep players engaged. It features different rules than the physical and Live versions of the game, but it’s still fun to play and a great way for new players to learn.
Battles in Pokemon TCG Live are similar enough to other versions that veteran players will feel right at home, and simple enough for new players to pick up quickly. They’re also a great way to showcase your favorite cards, so let’s look at how they work.
How To Unlock Battles
Battling is not available as soon as you create a Pokemon TCG Pocket account, but you should be able to unlock it pretty soon after installing the game.
In order to unlock the Battle menu,you need to reach level three, which you can do by opening a few packs and completing some missions. When you first start the game, you’ll get a lot of Pack Hourglasses so that you can open several packs immediately and level up almost as fast.
Next,you need a deck. Once you unlock the Battle feature,you’ll receive a beginner deck as part of the tutorial. The deck you receive is based on which pack you chose to open when you first started the game. If you open the Pikachu pack, you’ll get aRapidash deck. The Mewtwo pack leads to aSandslash deck, and the Charizard pack gives you aPinsir deck.
These decks aren’t very good, but they should get you through the Beginner Solo Battles, and theyeach come with two copies of Professor’s Research and Poke Ball, which you’ll need for almost any deck you build.
If you were lucky enough to pull a highlight card for a rental deck like Pikachu ex from your first few packs, you’ll also have access to that Rental Deck for ten games.
Battle System, Explained
The battle system for Pokemon TCG Pocket is simplified from the standard version in order to make it faster and easier to play. While veteran Pokemon TCG players will be able to jump right in, thePocket rules are closer to theMy First Battleversion of the game than to the standard rules.
Just like the standard version,a coin flipdetermines which player will go first, after whicheach player draws five cards. Pokemon TCG Pocket forces a Basic Pokemon into your starting hand every game, sothere are no mulligans.You must set a Basic Pokemon in the Active position, and you may then setup to three Basic Pokemon on your Bench.
The player who goes firstmay only play Basic Pokemonand use Item cards and one Supporter. They cannot attach Energy (which is provided from the Energy Zone instead of being part of the deck), attack, or evolve a Pokemon that turn.
The player going second can play a single Supporter, as well as any number of Items and Basic Pokemon on the Bench.The second player can also attach an Energy and attackon their first turn.
When a Pokemon attacks, it deals damage to the defending Pokemon (or to a Pokemon on the Bench, in some situations). Once that damage exceeds the Pokemon’s HP, marked in the top right corner of the card, it’s Knocked Out. When you Knock Out an opponent’s Pokemon, you get one Prize Point, andthe first to three Prize Points wins.
Especially powerful Pokemon, like ex Pokemon, are worth two Prize Points instead of one.
Unlike the physical and Live versions, in Pokemon TCG Pocketyou do not lose from having no cards in your deckwhen your turn starts. In that scenario, youcontinue playing until either player earns three Prize Pointsor has no more Pokemon in play.
Attacking, retreating, and activating Abilities is as simple astapping the Pokemon card and then tapping the relevant button. Playing Item and Supporter cards only requires you to drag them into the center of the playmat.
If you’re playing on a smaller screen,take a second to verify that the card you’re about to play is the one you intended to play. It’s a little too easy to grab the wrong card from your hand, which could throw off your sequencing or use the wrong Supporter for the turn.
Evolving Pokemon is just as easy: simplydrag the next Stage Pokemon over the one you want to evolveand release after the Pokemon you’re evolving turns green. Remember, a Pokemon needs to be in play for a full turn before you’re able to evolve it.
How To Battle With Friends
Once you’ve built a deck, played a couple solo matches, and are comfortable with the battle system, you’re probably looking to play against your friends.
To play against a specific person, you need to be in contact with them and exchange a password.There’s no way to challenge a player directlyfrom your friends list.
From the Battle menu, select the Versus option, which will provide you with the option to play either a private match or a random match. Random matches pair you up with another random player somewhere in the world, butprivate matches are password-protectedso that you only play against the other person with the password.
In the Private Match menu, you’ll be presented with a text box to input your password. Once you and your friend have agreed on a password, simply type it in, and you’ll be matched with your opponent.
Pick a password that other players are unlikely to use. Commonpasswords like “Password” or “Pikachu” may be used by several groups at once, and you can end up playing against a random player using the same password instead of your friend.
