Pokémon TCG Pocket Update Faces Backlash Over Restrictive Trading System

The latest update to Pokémon TCG Pocket introduced the long-awaited ability for players to trade cards, but the implementation has sparked widespread criticism. Fans are expressing frustration with the game's convoluted and resource-heavy trading mechanics, with many feeling that the system was designed to limit player interaction rather than encourage it.

At the heart of the issue is the fact that trading is restricted in several ways. For starters, players can only trade with those on their friends list, and only one trade can be conducted at a time. The range of cards eligible for trade is also quite narrow, as only One, Two, Three, or Four Diamond rarity cards, along with One Star rarity cards, can be offered. This means higher-rarity cards like Two and Three Star, as well as One Crown rarity cards, cannot be traded at all.

Moreover, there are additional restrictions on the types of cards that can be exchanged. For example, cards with a "Flair" can only be traded for other Flair cards, and only cards from the game's Genetic Apex and Mythical Island booster packs are eligible for trade. Promo cards are also entirely excluded from the system.

Image credit: Trading menu and animation frame | Dexerto

One of the most controversial aspects of the update is the use of Trade Stamina and Trade Tokens. Trade Stamina, which is required to initiate a trade, recharges over time or can be boosted with Trade Hourglasses. But it doesn’t stop there—if you want to trade higher-rarity cards, you’ll also need to use Trade Tokens, which are another in-game resource. The cost for these Tokens is steep: 120 Tokens are required for a Three Diamond card trade, 400 for a One Star card, and 500 for a Four Diamond card.

Image credit: Dexerto

Fans have voiced their concerns about how difficult it is to accumulate enough Trade Tokens. One example of this frustration is that junking a One Star card only nets you 100 Tokens, yet you need 400 Tokens to trade for another One Star card. This means players must junk multiple cards just to get enough Tokens to trade for a single card of the same rarity, which many feel is an unfair grind.

As one frustrated player put it, "The game doesn't want anyone trading cards. It's rubbish." Others have echoed similar sentiments, noting that the trading system feels incredibly restrictive and doesn’t align with the spirit of a trading card game. One player, describing themselves as a "whale" (a heavy spender), criticized the update for making trading a painful experience for players who aren’t willing to spend additional money. They noted that the system feels designed for a very narrow use case: someone who happens to have a lot of duplicate cards but is still missing specific cards to complete their collection.

Some players have even gone so far as to suggest that the "Trading Card Game" label should be removed from the title, given how restrictive and expensive the trading system is. “It’s just insulting to look at” one player commented.

While the game continues to generate revenue, it seems unlikely that these issues will be addressed in the short term. The high costs of trading likely exist to ensure that players continue purchasing packs, but it’s clear that many feel the system is more focused on profit than player enjoyment. For those navigating the new trading system, guides are available, such as Eurogamer’s detailed breakdown of how to trade cards and acquire Trade Tokens, but it’s clear that the community’s reaction is largely negative.

Will the system change? It’s uncertain. As long as the game remains profitable, it seems that the current system may stay in place, leaving many players frustrated and feeling like the spirit of trading has been lost.