The developers of Pokémon TCG Pocket have finally shared specific details about the major improvements coming to the game's much-criticized trading system, which has been a source of frustration for players since its launch. The proposed changes sound promising, but they won't be implemented until later this year.
In a recent post on the Pokémon community forums, the developers outlined the upcoming changes:
Removal of Trade Tokens
- Trade tokens will be completely removed, and players will no longer need to exchange cards to obtain the currency required for trading.
- Instead, trading cards of three-diamond, four-diamond, and one-star rarity will now require shinedust.
- Shinedust will be automatically earned when you open a booster pack and obtain a card that is already registered in your Card Dex.
- Since shinedust is also used to obtain flair, the developers are considering increasing the amount offered to accommodate its new role in trading.
- This change should allow players to trade more cards than before the update.
- Existing trade tokens will be converted to shinedust when the item is removed from the game.
- There are no changes to how one-diamond and two-diamond rarity cards are traded.
Additional Updates in Development
- A new feature will allow players to share cards they’re interested in trading for via the in-game trading function.
The biggest change is the removal of Trade Tokens, which have been a major pain point for players. Currently, to trade even a single ex Pokémon card, players must sacrifice five other ex cards to acquire enough trade tokens. This system has been highly discouraging, and while there have been some additional ways to earn bonus trade tokens, the overall system remains problematic.
The new system using shinedust is a significant improvement. Shinedust is already in the game and used to purchase "flairs" for cards—animations that make them sparkle during matches. Players earn shinedust automatically from duplicate cards and through various events. Most players likely have a surplus of shinedust, and the developers are exploring ways to increase its availability to facilitate more trades.
It's important for TCG Pocket to maintain some cost to trading to prevent players from exploiting the system by creating multiple accounts, opening packs, and trading all their new rares to their main accounts. The trade token system was simply too costly for the average player.
Another crucial update is the ability for players to share cards they're interested in trading. Currently, there's no way to communicate desired trades within the game, making it difficult to trade with strangers. This new feature will allow players to make reasonable offers and increase the use of the trading system.
The community has responded positively to these changes, but there are significant drawbacks. Players have already sacrificed many rare cards to collect trade tokens, and those cards are gone for good. While existing trade tokens will convert to shinedust, the loss of rare cards remains a sore point.
Moreover, players will have to wait until the fall of this year for these changes to take effect. In the meantime, trading is likely to come to a standstill, as no one will want to sacrifice rare cards knowing a better system is on the horizon. Several more expansions may be released before the trading aspect of "Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket" truly flourishes.
So, for now, it's wise to save your shinedust!
