Pokémon TCG Pocket to Revamp Trading System: Changes Confirmed

The developers of Pokémon TCG Pocket have finally provided detailed information about significant enhancements to the game's widely criticized trading system, which has been problematic since its launch. While the proposed improvements are promising, their implementation is slated for the distant future.

In a recent post on the Pokémon community forums, the developers outlined the upcoming changes:

Removal of Trade Tokens

• Trade tokens will be entirely eliminated, and players will no longer need to sacrifice cards to acquire trading currency.
• Instead, trading cards of three-diamond, four-diamond, and one-star rarity will require shinedust.
• Shinedust will be automatically earned when opening booster packs and receiving a card already registered in your Card Dex.
• Since shinedust is also used to obtain flairs, the developers are considering increasing the amount available to accommodate its new role in trading.
• This change is expected to facilitate more card trading than was possible under the old system.
• Existing trade tokens will be converted to shinedust upon the removal of the item from the game.
• The trading of one-diamond and two-diamond rarity cards will remain unchanged.

Additional Updates in Development

• A feature will be introduced allowing players to share cards they are interested in trading through the in-game trading system.

The most significant change is the elimination of Trade Tokens, which have been a major point of frustration. Currently, to trade a single ex Pokémon card, players must discard five other ex cards to accumulate sufficient trade tokens. This cumbersome system has discouraged trading among players.

The new system utilizing shinedust promises to be more user-friendly. Shinedust, already used for purchasing flairs, is automatically earned from duplicate cards and can be obtained through events. Players with a surplus of shinedust, particularly those less interested in flairs, will find the new system advantageous. The developers are exploring ways to increase shinedust availability to support the trading function.

Implementing some form of trading cost is necessary to prevent exploitation, such as creating multiple accounts to amass and transfer rare cards. The trade token system, however, was excessively costly, deterring most players from engaging with it.

Another crucial update is the ability to indicate desired trade cards within the game. Currently, without this feature, players must communicate their trade preferences outside the game, making it difficult to trade with strangers. The new feature should encourage more active trading by enabling players to make informed offers.

The community has responded positively to these proposed changes, although there's concern about the loss of rare cards already sacrificed for trade tokens. While existing tokens will convert to shinedust, the cards are irretrievable.

Unfortunately, these improvements won't be implemented until the fall of this year, potentially causing trading activity to stagnate in the interim. Players are likely to hold onto their rare cards in anticipation of the new system, impacting the game's trading dynamics until the update arrives.

In the meantime, players are advised to save their shinedust in preparation for the new trading system.