Pokémon TCG Pocket Announces Upcoming Changes to Trading System

The developers of Pokémon TCG Pocket have finally provided detailed updates on major enhancements to the game's much-criticized trading system, which has been problematic since its launch. While the proposed changes sound promising, 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 completely phased out, eliminating the need for players to sacrifice cards to acquire trading currency.
• Trading cards of three-diamond, four-diamond, and one-star rarity will now require shinedust. This currency is automatically earned when you open a booster pack and receive a card already registered in your Card Dex.
• Shinedust is also used for obtaining flairs, and the developers are considering increasing the amount of shinedust available to accommodate its new role in trading.
• This change should facilitate more frequent trading. Existing trade tokens will be converted to shinedust upon removal from the game.
• No changes will be made to the trading of one-diamond and two-diamond rarity cards.

Additional Updates in Development

• A new feature will allow players to share cards they're interested in trading via the in-game trading function, enhancing the trading experience.

The current trading system, which relies on trade tokens, has been widely criticized. To trade a card, players must "vaporize" other cards to obtain the necessary tokens, making the process costly and discouraging. For instance, trading one ex Pokémon card requires sacrificing five other ex cards, a steep price that has deterred many from engaging with the system.

The new system using shinedust promises to be more user-friendly. Shinedust, already in use for purchasing flairs, is earned from duplicate cards and various in-game events. Players likely have an abundance of it, and the developers are exploring ways to increase its availability to ensure smoother trading.

Another significant update is the ability for players to indicate which cards they're interested in trading. Currently, there's no in-game way to communicate trade preferences, leading to guesswork and minimal trading with strangers. The new feature should encourage more active and effective trading.

The community has responded positively to these proposed changes, although there's a notable downside: many players have already sacrificed rare cards to accumulate trade tokens, and those cards are irretrievably lost. Converting existing trade tokens to shinedust offers some relief, but it doesn't restore the lost cards.

However, there's a catch: these improvements won't be implemented until the fall of this year. In the interim, trading activity may stagnate as players avoid sacrificing more rare cards under the current system, knowing a better solution is on the horizon. Several expansions may come and go before the trading aspect of "Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket" truly flourishes.

So, hang onto your shinedust!