Pokémon TCG Pocket Trading: Greedy or Broken?

Pokémon TCG Pocket Trading: Greedy or Broken?

Pokémon TCG Pocket’s new trading update faces intense backlash from players. The system is deemed overly restrictive and resource-intensive, prompting accusations of greed.

Trading Restrictions

Trading is limited to friends, one trade at a time, and specific card rarities: One, Two, Three, or Four Diamond, and One Star. You cannot trade Two or Three Star or One Crown rarity cards.

Further restrictions include:

• Trading only cards of the same rarity.
• Using Trade Stamina, replenished over time or via Trade Hourglasses.
• Spending Trade Tokens for Three or Four Diamond cards and One Star cards.
• Trading Flair cards only with Flair cards.
• Only trading cards from Genetic Apex and Mythical Island booster packs; promo cards are excluded.

Acquiring Trade Tokens requires junking cards, but the token-to-card ratio is heavily criticized as unfavorable. Many players feel the system actively discourages trading.

Player Reactions

Players express extreme frustration, with comments calling the system “rubbish,” “insanely expensive,” and an “insult.” Even “whales,” big spenders, feel ignored, stating the system discourages further spending.

The prohibitive nature of the trading system likely aims to maintain profitability by limiting an alternative to direct pack purchases. Whether the system will change remains questionable, given the game’s continued financial success.

For more information, refer to Eurogamer’s guides on Pokémon TCG Pocket trading and Trade Tokens.