Pokémon TCG Pocket Confirms Changes to Much-Loathed Trading System Are Coming... Eventually

Pokémon TCG Pocket's much-maligned trading system is finally getting a major overhaul, addressing player frustrations since launch. While the improvements are significant, their implementation is unfortunately slated for a considerable delay.

In a recent community forum post, developers detailed the upcoming changes:

Trading Overhaul: Farewell, Trade Tokens!

Trade tokens are being completely removed. Trading three-diamond, four-diamond, and one-star rarity cards will now require Shinedust. Shinedust is automatically earned when opening booster packs containing cards already registered in your Card Dex. As Shinedust is also used for flair, its acquisition rate will be increased. This change promises significantly improved trading efficiency. Existing trade tokens will be converted to Shinedust upon the update. Trading of one-diamond and two-diamond rarity cards remains unchanged.

Further Enhancements in Development

A crucial new feature will let players specify desired cards when initiating trades. This directly addresses the current system’s biggest flaw: the lack of communication regarding desired trades.

The core change is the removal of Trade Tokens, a poorly-designed currency requiring players to discard cards to trade. This often meant sacrificing multiple valuable cards just to trade a single rare one. The new Shinedust system offers a more streamlined and player-friendly alternative. Shinedust, already in-game and used for card flair, is acquired from duplicates and events. Developers plan to increase Shinedust acquisition to facilitate trading. While a cost is necessary to prevent account manipulation, the old system was excessively punitive.

The addition of a card-sharing feature within the trading function is a game-changer. Currently, players must communicate desired trades outside the game, hindering effective trading, especially with strangers. This new feature will vastly improve the trading experience.

Community response to these changes has been overwhelmingly positive. However, a significant drawback remains: players who discarded numerous rare cards to obtain Trade Tokens cannot recover those losses. While token conversion to Shinedust helps, the lost cards remain a significant issue.

The biggest downside is the lengthy implementation timeline – these changes are not expected until the fall. Until then, trading will likely stagnate due to the current system's unattractiveness. The game might see several expansions before trading fully realizes its potential.

In the meantime, it’s advisable to hoard your Shinedust!