One Of Pokémon TCG Pocket’s Best New Cards Is Repeating The Same Old Mistake

The most recent Pokémon TCG Pocket replace has given us a brand new set and a few new occasions to have a good time the sport’s six-month anniversary. Apart from the playing cards within the new Celestial Guardians set, we have additionally gotten a brand new Drop Occasion with some thrilling promo playing cards. Nevertheless, not all the things in regards to the newest replace is optimistic, and one card particularly appears to danger repeating one of many sport’s worst errors. Whereas this is not sure but, it may very well be a problem if issues go the identical means as final time.

There’s quite a bit to like in regards to the new Celestial Guardians set, particularly if you happen to’re a fan of Pokémon Sun and Moon. Solgaleo ex looks as if an fascinating addition, and I will by no means complain an excessive amount of a couple of Pokémon TCG Pocket replace that offers me a brand new Rowlet. Nonetheless, I am a bit apprehensive that the character of the sport’s new Drop Occasion rewards might repeat one of many extra irritating points from considered one of Pokémon TCG Pocket‘s earlier units. There is a risk {that a} future replace fixes this, and main updates usually could also be crucial, however short-term issues might nonetheless come up.

The Newest Set Comes With A Rayquaza Ex Drop Occasion

Rayquaza Ex Could Solely Be Obtainable For A Restricted Time

Pokémon TCG Pocket‘s newest Drop Occasion features a mechanically distinctive Rayquaza ex card. That is the primary time Rayquaza is making an look in Pokémon TCG Pocket, and it is one which lives as much as the Pokémon’s energy and recognition. Rayquaza ex’s assault randomly targets considered one of your opponent’s Pokémon 4 occasions (which may hit the identical Pokémon a number of occasions), doing 40 harm every time. From my quick time taking part in with the cardboard, I’ve discovered it very efficient at taking out a number of Pokémon without delay. Rayquaza ex additionally synergizes nicely with Cyrus, as you are in a position to simply manipulate your opponent’s board.

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As of now, there are two methods to get Rayquaza ex, both by means of the Drop Occasion, or by profitable 50 battles earlier than the top of the brand new 28-day Particular Missions occasion. Though neither of those duties are inconceivable, and I used to be in a position to get two copies of Rayquaza ex after about 10 battles within the Drop Occasion, proscribing Rayquaza ex to a promotional reward does open up a attainable situation. If the cardboard isn’t launched in packs, gamers who be part of the sport later will not get an opportunity to gather it, and it is not unreasonable to suppose this might occur.

Earlier Drop Occasion Pokémon By no means Bought Launched In Packs

Cresselia ex promo card from Pokemon TCG Pocket

Again in February, the same Drop Event introduced the mechanically-unique Cresselia ex. As of now, this card has not been made accessible in any subsequent packs, regardless of Triumphant Gentle, Shining Revelry, and now Celestial Guardians all popping out since its launch. At present, promo playing cards are additionally not allowed to be traded, so you’ll be able to’t even depend on getting an additional copy of the cardboard from a pal. This implies, if you happen to did not occur to take part within the Drop Occasion, or simply began taking part in the sport after February, you haven’t any means of getting a Cresselia ex.

Ash Ketchum surprised and looking at Pokemon TCG Pocket artwork

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Proper now, it appears to be like like Rayquaza ex could also be in the identical boat. I do have some hope that it’d pop up in a pack, because the reward copy you get from profitable 50 battles would not have the Promo watermark on it. Nonetheless, there is no indication if or when it is going to be accessible in packs, so there is no telling how lengthy you might need to attend if you happen to miss out on it now. Though I’ve no points with promos or Drop Occasions usually, persevering with to introduce mechanically distinctive playing cards like this might create a giant downside.

Placing A Time Restrict On Mechanically Distinctive Playing cards Is Dangerous For Pokémon TCG Pocket’s Longevity

Limiting The Availability Of Highly effective Playing cards May Make Aggressive Play Inaccessible

Arceus surrounded by Raichu, Tyranitar and Golbat in Pokemon TCG Pocket's Triumphant Light set

Making a mechanically distinctive card like Rayquaza ex solely accessible for a restricted time creates a problem with regards to Pokémon TCG Pocket‘s aggressive scene. If Rayquaza ex, or a card prefer it, turns into a serious element of highly effective decks, some gamers would possibly get locked out of a meta simply because they missed the window of availability for that card. This can be a downside that may solely develop into more and more extra irritating as extra distinctive playing cards are launched for a restricted time solely.

Cards from Fighting-type Mass Outbreak event

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Magic: The Gathering had this situation when mechanically distinctive playing cards from its Strolling Useless Secret Lair began making waves in everlasting codecs. Gamers who had missed the preliminary gross sales window of the Secret Lair product had issue getting copies at an affordable value because the playing cards took some time to develop into extensively accessible. Wizards of the Coast did finally reprint new Universes Within versions of the playing cards in future packs, making them extra accessible.

Pokémon TCG Pocket might use the same method, making any mechanically distinctive promos accessible in later units. Though it might be good in the event that they did this for each card, so long as they did it for playing cards that had an influence on the sport’s meta, it would not be an enormous situation. That mentioned, I feel Pokémon TCG Pocket might have some main modifications usually if it desires to plan for the longer term.

Main Modifications Appear Inevitable To Hold Pokémon TCG Pocket Alive

Pokémon TCG Pocket Wants To Handle Participant Frustrations To Hold Its Followers

pokemon tcg pocket trading-1 — Customized picture by Christian Hoffer

A few of Pokémon TCG Pocket‘s options have been the supply of frustration for gamers, chief amongst them being buying and selling. Initially, it was a little bit of a joke {that a} sport with the phrase “buying and selling” in its title had no buying and selling performance, however not less than gamers knew it was one thing that was deliberate for the sport’s future. Nevertheless, when buying and selling lastly arrived, it proved to be extra restrictive than we had hoped. As I’ve already talked about, sure playing cards cannot be traded, and it is usually the rarer playing cards that may’t. Buying and selling is not as significant when you’ll be able to solely exhange extra frequent playing cards.

A Rare Candy Card flanked by Celestial Guardians cards

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One other good addition could be permitting gamers to commerce playing cards, even when they solely have a single copy. I’ve had just a few cases the place pals are searching for a card that I am not utilizing, however I am unable to commerce it to them as a result of I solely have one. I believe it’s because the sport would not know account for playing cards that you have collected however do not presently personal a replica of. I will not faux to know what modifications could be essential to the sport’s code to repair this, but when it is attainable, I feel it might be an enormous enchancment.

That mentioned, Pokémon TCG Pocket does appear to be making optimistic modifications. The addition of Uncommon Sweet, for example, opens up much more deck-building alternatives as a result of Stage 2 Pokémon at the moment are faster and extra aggressive. Hopefully, the sport’s group will proceed to incorporate responsive updates like this that hold the meta from stagnating. Introducing updates that stop essential sport items from being inaccessible additionally must be a precedence for Pokémon TCG Pocket to protect its longevity and keep away from gamers quitting out of frustration.