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5 things you need to know before you start playing

Posted on by L. Dreeye
5 things you need to know before you start playing

Pocket TCG Pokemon launched earlier this week (October 30th) and is quickly becoming a breakthrough gaming phenomenon.

The free game for mobile devices uses the best moments of the real world. Pokemon Trading Card Game and gets rid of boring things like overly complex rules and exorbitant prices. IN Pocketyou can collect Pokemon, experiment with your favorites and engage in fast-paced battles, turning him into a colorful love child Pokemon Go And Marvel Snap. And judging by the early buzz on social media, we’re not the only ones already addicted. For those of you who haven’t downloaded it yet, here’s what you need to know before you get started…

You must collect them all

Pocket It’s about unlocking sets of virtual Pokemon cards – it really is that simple. Each features a battle-ready monster looking to defend its honor in the fray, but with plenty of classic and new art, as well as quirky 3D options, this one is for collectors. Dragging your finger across the screen to cut your chosen booster pack before your five cards suddenly reveal itself creates a familiar rush for anyone who’s ever dabbled with Pokémon cards before. Some glitters also have exciting animations, with Pocket Take full advantage of your digital playground.

There are three types of digital packs to choose from (featuring Mewtwo, Charizard, and everyone’s favorite electric mouse, Pikachu), with different cards in each. There’s a range of rare Pokémon to be found here, from single-diamond “base” Pokémon like Ratata and Squirtle, to two-star “former” variants of some of the most powerful beasts in the world.

The game currently offers one Genetic Apex card pack, which includes 226 base cards and plenty of secrets to uncover, including a way to unlock Mew (no, seriously). It’s safe to assume that in the future, different sets with equally impressive names will be added to them. Pocket. The game also allows you to display your favorites in a folder for the entire community to see. You might even get a free token or two to spend in the store. Just like in regular Pokemon games, your goal is to catch them all… even if it takes a while.

The battles are short but enjoyable

In addition to collecting them, Pocket players can also force their little monsters to fight. While Pokemon Trading Card Game and its massive decks can seem intimidating, Pocket designed to gently introduce you to the rules with a more relevant and compact reimagining. Turn-based combat involves drawing cards from your deck, imbuing them with energy, and sending them into battle to attack. Some have special abilities, others have a type advantage. Water suppresses fire but is weak to electricity, while the psychic should try to avoid darkness. The winner is the first player to score three wins, meaning matches never drag on.

A quick tutorial will introduce you to the basics, and a range of computer opponents will soon have you thinking about strategy. You can build your own 20-card deck from scratch, take advantage of themed offerings from the game, or use one of several rental decks until you find a system that works. It is also possible to fight with strangers and friends online. It’s not as intense as the skirmishes in Call of Duty or Fortnite but you’ll still be punching the air with joy when a risky move pays off.

Pocket TCG Pokemon
Charizard battles Mewtwo in Pokémon TCG Pocket. CREDIT: The Pokemon Company.

You don’t have to pay to have a good time

Parents of ’90s kids know how much an interest in Pokemon cards can cost, but Pocket gives them away for free. You can open a new pack every 12 hours, and completing simple missions (unlock three power-ups, collect eight types of fire) will give you the time-saving Hourglass Pack currency, which reduces the wait one hour at a time. Who said patience is a virtue?

Likewise, free Shop Tokens can be used to purchase useful item cards (some of which you’ll definitely need in battle), and opening booster packs will give you trade points that can be used to select your next champion. There is a paid Battle Pass that doubles the number of packs you can open each day and provides additional missions, but it is not a required purchase. It’s the same story with the in-game currency Poké Gold (79p apiece), which can only be used to purchase cosmetic items at the moment. There’s no winning here.

This is great nostalgia

Did you know that there are currently 1,025 different Pokémon in various games? This number becomes even more impressive when you add in things like Gigantamax variants, but Pocket makes things beautiful and familiar. Most of the mons found in the game are taken from the original 151 introduced in the original 1998 Game Boy games. Red And Blueand select monsters from across the series help give the game some balance.

Classic artwork from the original card series adds to the nostalgia, and just like the good old days, Charizard and Chansey are fearsome beasts. However, this is not just a rehash of what came before. Farfetch’d leek is one of the most reliable soldiers this time around, and the spectacular graphics on the special maps do something their real-life counterparts could only dream of.

You will come back again and again

Pocket TCG Pokemon It’s quick to learn, but there are plenty of tips and tricks to master that make the game fun. With a new pack unlocked every 12 hours and daily missions, the game rewards repeat visits, which is perhaps what makes it so addictive. You can spend the evening battling your own quirky champions, or simply stop by once a day to add new creatures to your collection.

There’s also a Wonder Pick feature that allows you to draw a random card from a deck recently opened elsewhere in the world, but only if you have enough stamina. Your options are also constantly refreshing, so will you go for a semi-rare item or wait for the rumored God Pack to arrive? Either way, you’ll be checking in regularly.

The Pokémon Company has already promised trade in the coming months, so it might be worth making a wish list of dream cards now. Additionally, it’s safe to assume that new Pokémon and themed seasonal packs will be added to keep collectors happy (Meowth and Chansey variants were recently added as part of a limited-time event), and the simple battle system provides the perfect foundation for the future. challenges. As one fan said when Pocket TCG Pokemon first launched: “This is my life now.”