Pokémon TCG Pocket Trading Leaks Have Been Proven True, & It's A Terrible Sign For Trading Cards

Since the launch of Pokémon TCG Pocket, a trade option in the Social Hub has been shown, but with a "coming soon" banner over it. A December update stated trading is coming to the game in January, as more leaks have surfaced about the proposed cards that will be available for trading and how the feature might be implemented. This has led to further speculation from players about how trading might work, what they will be able to trade, how often, and importantly, when it might be added to the game.

Since its initial launch in the 90s, the Pokémon series has had trading it at its heart, from the main series games, to the physical Pokémon TCG, as well as more recent iterations such as Pokémon GO. This makes a card version of the game, such as Pokémon TCG Pocket perfect for trading, but it remains to be seen if it will be worth the wait.

What We Know About Trading in Pokémon TCG Pocket

Only Certain Cards Can Be Traded

Officially, it's now known that January is when trading will be introduced into Pokémon TCG Pocket, and official details regarding trading have now been shared via the game's X account, confirming several leaks (and some of player's worst fears). This started when a leak (via Game Rant) prompted speculation from players about restrictions that might be in place.

At the time, this rumor suggested trading might be limited to either diamond or one-star cards. Sadly, this has now been proven correct. This does cover the majority of cards currently on offer, and this could be set to expand during the next A2 expansion, which is expected to launch on January 29, 2025.

While standard ex cards will fall under the ones that you are allowed to trade, the illustrated versions of their cards would not be included, along with Immersive Cards and the rarest cards currently available, which feature Pikachu, Mewtwo, Mew, Celebi, and Charizard. There are a number of reasons that Pokémon TCG Pocket and developer DeNA could be wanting to limit trading, as opposed to just making it harder for players to complete collections.

There is the potential problem of players spending real world money, outside the game, to buy certain cards from one another. This could lead to problems with third-party sellers and put a big mark against Pokémon TCG Pocket, which has previously happened in other games with trading real money for in-game items, such as with EA FC and its Ultimate Team mode.

It can also be presumed that trading will be limited to taking place between friends, as it is located in the social hub section of Pokémon TCG Pocket. However, currently there is little to do in this section of the game, even with any friends you have added, so it makes sense for trading to be included between friends.

Limitations With Trading Is A Problem For Players

Will Trading Be Worthwhile In TCG Pocket?

Since trading in Pokémon TCG Pocket is limited to diamond and one-star cards, it has the potential to decrease those cards' values. The current setup makes it feasible for those playing the game regularly to complete base sets through opening packs, Wonder Picks, and Pack Points without the need for trading. However, currently it is near impossible to gather all the rare tiered cards without putting endless real money into the game.

If the leaked trading limitations are true, it wouldn't make completing base sets much easier, but also wouldn't help those trying to get every single card on offer. However, if trading is fully open with all cards available to be swapped, it could make it possible for players to get every card in Pokémon TCG Pocket.

Trading has the potential to be a disappointing feature in Pokémon TCG Pocket, but it also has the potential to decrease the value of the cards that are tradeable. People will, of course, want to try out the trading feature when it drops, and even with limitations, it could be helpful to players wanting to complete their collections of lower-rarity cards.

Source: Pokémon TCG Pocket/X, Game Rant