Summary
The absence of a system that protects players from duplicate cards is causing frustration among Pokemon TCG Pocket enthusiasts, as duplicates offer little reward. The current method of acquiring cosmetic effects using duplicates and Shinedust is not seen as favorable. A suggested improvement is to allow the trading of duplicate cards for pack points based on rarity, which would incentivize players and enhance their experience.
Despite its gacha mechanics for obtaining cards through booster packs, Pokemon TCG Pocket has garnered a reputation for generosity compared to similar games. It frequently offers players free opportunities to enhance their collections. Notably, the game provides two free booster packs daily and includes a feature called Wonder Pick, where players can target specific cards they’re eager to add to their deck. Additionally, the Shining Revelry event grants a starter Ex deck at no cost. However, the way the game currently handles duplicates could be improved to make card collecting even more enjoyable and accessible.
Unpacking duplicates is often an annoying experience for players, especially since they have little control over the contents of a pack and may receive multiple copies of the same card, including rare ones. The lack of a duplicate protection system means that players might even find several copies of a card within a single pack, presenting a challenge that desperately needs addressing.
The game currently compensates duplicates with Shinedust, a resource poised to gain more significance as a trading currency. Yet, this method falls short of being an ideal solution. While Shinedust can unlock cosmetic effects associated with specific cards, such a reward doesn’t offer substantial improvement for players. A more appealing alternative would be allowing players to exchange duplicates for pack points, a far more precious resource which is scarce in the game.
Obtaining pack points can be a laborious task, as players earn only five per booster pack opening, and these points are limited to a specific set. Given that rare cards can demand upwards of 500 pack points, players would need to open around 100 packs to secure a guaranteed Ex card. A sensible solution would be permitting card exchanges for pack points, which would address two main issues.
Firstly, players’ disappointment over receiving duplicate cards could be mitigated by knowing these duplicates could improve their collection. Secondly, this would invigorate the in-game economy around pack points, making the costs for cards more justified and attainable. For instance, the Shining Revelry collection poses challenges due to the scarcity and exclusion from Wonder Pick of shiny cards. A system allowing the trade of duplicates for pack points would resolve this issue and ensure every booster pack holds value, even with less desirable contents.
There could be various implementations of this system:
| Card Rarity | Number of Cards Traded | Pack Points Received |
|————————–|————————|———————-|
| Common/1-Diamond | 5 | 3 |
| Uncommon/2-Diamond | 3 | 5 |
| Rare/3-Diamond | 1 | 15 |
| Double Rare/4-Diamond | 1 | 50 |
| Illustration Rare/1-Star | 1 | 50 |
| Special Art/2-Star | 1 | 100 |
| Immersive Rare/3-Star | 1 | 150 |
| Shiny Rare/1-Shiny | 1 | 100 |
| Double Shiny Rare/2-Shiny| 1 | 150 |
| Crown Rare/Crown | 1 | 250 |
While this idea remains speculative, the trade of rare cards for pack points should feel rewarding. Even with a system akin to this, rare card duplicates can still disappoint unless they find a home in player decks, yet they could at least generate a significant amount of pack points for acquiring other cards. Currently, this seems a distant possibility, but implementing such a system would certainly alleviate the frustration surrounding duplicates.
