Pokémon TCG Pocket Announces Upcoming Changes to Trading System

The developers of Pokémon TCG Pocket have recently announced significant updates to the game's trading system, which has been a source of frustration for players since its launch. These improvements are highly anticipated, though their implementation will take some time.

In a detailed post on the Pokémon community forums, the developers outlined the forthcoming changes:

Removal of Trade Tokens

• Trade Tokens Eliminated: The current system requiring trade tokens for trading will be abolished. Players will no longer need to sacrifice cards to obtain these tokens.
• Introduction of Shinedust: Trading cards of three-diamond, four-diamond, and one-star rarity will now require shinedust. This currency is automatically earned when players open booster packs and receive duplicate cards already registered in their Card Dex.
• Shinedust Allocation: Given that shinedust is also used for obtaining flairs, the developers are considering increasing the amount available to players to support trading activities. This change is expected to facilitate more frequent trading.
• Conversion of Existing Tokens: Players can convert their current trade tokens into shinedust once the update is live.
• No Changes for Lower Rarities: The trading system for one-diamond and two-diamond rarity cards remains unchanged.

Additional Updates in Development

• Trade Interest Sharing: A new feature will allow players to share cards they are interested in trading, enhancing the trading experience within the game.

The existing trade token system has been widely criticized for being cumbersome and overly restrictive. To trade a single ex Pokémon card, players currently need to discard several other ex cards to accumulate enough tokens, a process that discourages active trading. The shift to shinedust promises a more user-friendly approach, as this currency is already earned through normal gameplay and can be accumulated without sacrificing valuable cards.

Shinedust, primarily used for card flairs, will now serve a dual purpose, potentially increasing its value to players. The developers are also exploring ways to boost shinedust earnings to ensure players have sufficient amounts for trading.

While the introduction of a trading cost is necessary to prevent exploitation, such as creating multiple accounts to funnel rare cards to a main account, the current trade token system was excessively costly. The new system aims to strike a better balance, encouraging thoughtful trading without deterring players.

The ability to share desired trade cards will revolutionize the trading process, making it easier for players to connect and negotiate trades directly within the game. This feature addresses the current limitation where players must communicate outside the game to specify trade interests, often resulting in ineffective trading with strangers.

The community has responded positively to these proposed changes, though there is a significant concern about the cards already lost to the old system. While existing trade tokens will convert to shinedust, the rare cards sacrificed cannot be recovered.

However, the implementation timeline is a major drawback. The developers have indicated that these updates won't be available until the fall, leaving players to endure the current system for several more months. This delay may lead to a halt in trading activities as players await the new system, potentially affecting the game's dynamics through multiple expansions.

In the meantime, players are advised to save their shinedust in anticipation of the upcoming changes to the trading system in Pokémon TCG Pocket.