5 Essential Tips to Get Ready for Day 1 of Pokémon TCG Pocket’s Launch

The global launch of Pokemon TCG Pocket is set for October 30, 2024. This latest mobile addition to the Pokemon series aims to provide enthusiasts with a comprehensive trading card gameplay experience on a digital platform. Players will not only engage in competitive matches utilizing personalized decks but will also find opportunities to collect and trade cards rewarding.

As the release date approaches, players might be curious about how to best leverage their experience in the early stages of Pokemon TCG Pocket. To help maximize enjoyment and efficiency right from the start, consider these insightful tips.

5 Strategies for Day 1 Success in Pokemon TCG Pocket

1) Invest in the Premium Pass

The Premium Pass in Pokemon TCG Pocket offers an extra daily booster pack (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Similar to many contemporary games, Pokemon TCG Pocket features a Battle Pass that can be purchased each season, providing access to enhanced rewards through gameplay. By obtaining the Premium Pass, players will receive an additional booster pack every 12 hours, allowing for up to two extra packs daily alongside the standard allocation for all users.

Purchasing the Premium Pass early on enables players to gain maximum benefit from the opportunity, facilitating the collection of every card in the inaugural expansion or the construction of an ideal deck.

Fortunately, every player will enjoy two weeks of Premium Pass access at no cost; thereafter, it will be available for approximately $10.

2) Open Packs Frequently

Players should expect plenty of pack-opening opportunities based on the New Zealand testing (Image via DeNA)

Players can earn valuable items called Pack Hourglasses by fulfilling various missions within Pokemon TCG Pocket. These items allow for the acceleration of the timer for retrieving free booster packs by one hour.

During the open testing phase in New Zealand, players discovered a variety of initial missions that rewarded users with Pack Hourglasses upon account creation.

Combining Pack Hourglasses with the complimentary Premium Pass can significantly enhance the rate at which players gather cards, including duplicates that can be converted into resources or exchanged with others.

Pokemon TCG Pocket includes a premium currency system (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Similar to many online gaming platforms, Pokemon TCG Pocket has introduced a premium currency, Poke Gold, obtainable through leveling up or purchasing with real money. Players can exchange Poke Gold for exclusive deck items and profile accessories or expedite their booster pack opening times.

Poke Gold is available for purchase, starting at 5 Poke Gold for $1 USD, and players are likely to accumulate this currency easily during the initial stages of their gaming journey.

For those interested in cosmetic upgrades, it may be wise to explore the shop before exclusively using Poke Gold to accelerate booster pack openings.

4) Utilize Pack Points Effectively

Players are rewarded with Pack Points for each booster pack opened (Image via The Pokemon Company)

In Pokemon TCG Pocket, players will encounter a resource known as Pack Points, which can be used to create other cards. Acquiring Pack Points occurs by opening booster packs or trading in excess cards.

Players may spend their accumulated Pack Points to craft any desired card, with the quantity required scaling according to the card’s rarity.

This allows newcomers to quickly generate Pack Points through pack openings, which is particularly useful for assembling a well-rounded deck.

5) Collect Shinedust Strategically

Shinedust allows players to enhance the appearance of their cards (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Players can add unique cosmetic enhancements to their cards using duplicate cards alongside a new resource called Shinedust.

Shinedust is obtained whenever a duplicate card is drawn from a pack. Players have the option to convert unwanted duplicates into Shinedust, though this may not always be the best approach.

While it might seem advantageous to convert some duplicates for Shinedust, players should note that the yield increases with the number of duplicates held. For instance, keeping five copies of Bulbasaur would maximize the Shinedust gained upon acquiring a sixth copy.

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