Going First in Pokemon TCG Pocket Battles Is A Curse, But Players Can’t Decide How To Fix It

Summary

• Players frustrated by going first in Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket, sparking complaints.
• Suggestions to improve game mechanics, like allowing first-turn energy attachment, are debated.
• Community in disagreement on how to balance the game to mitigate frustrations and improve gameplay.

Despite a stellar start, which saw it take 12 million dollars in four days, Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket has faced a barrage of complaints. Initial crashing issues, slow free-to-play mechanics, an increasingly expensive shop, and the frustrating Wonder Pick feature are but a few things that have left a bad taste in players' mouths.

No, You Can’t Accidentally Slice Your Cards In Half In Pokemon TCG Pocket

Don't believe everything you see on the internet.

Arguably, however, the most frustrating thing of all is simply going first in head-to-head matches, something that has garnered hundreds of complaints, and the community is at a loss as to how to fix it.

Tails, Tails, Never Fails

Since the game's launch, the Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket's subreddit has been inundated with threads complaining about just how much it sucks to go first in battles.

For reference, going first means you can basically do nothing. Sure, you can play a supporter card and figure out your next move, potentially getting the first evolution of the game, but generally, it's a poisoned chalice. Conversely, players who go second can attach an energy and attack on what is their first turn. It's this imbalance that has led to a relative uproar in the Pokemon TCG Pocket community.

Although there have been plenty of complaints, mostly generalized moaning at how bad it is, discussions have taken place on how the game could be improved, but no consensus has been reached.

The most common request from players is that they should get to attach an energy first turn, but not attack. It would mean that on their second turn, they would at least be in a better position to attack. But other players have pointed out its flaws.

"If the player going first could attach an energy, we would just have Pokemon like Pikachu, Starmie, and Marowak doing like 80~90 damage to the basic Pokemon on the other team. And unless it is a basic ex, they would just be dead," one said. It would, in theory, completely change the tide and fundamentally alter the meta.

A second suggestion is that the player going first should draw an extra two cards, but this was once again shot down.

One player countered this idea by saying, "Card draw is not so important when you are likely to see over 70% of your deck during a game and where a deck is composed of only 20 cards."

It's a serious quandary for the game's developers, and one they'll have to overcome to ease player frustrations and foster a long-term community. Just nobody knows how they'll plan to do it.

Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket

WHERE TO PLAY

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket lets you easily collect Pokémon cards. Creatures Inc. has created exciting new visual effects for cards that are only possible digitally.

Pokémon cards, played with by people in 89 countries, are now closer to you than ever!

Enjoy Pokémon cards anytime, anywhere, on your mobile device!

■ You can open packs every day to get cards!
Collect cards every day! You can open two booster packs every day at no cost to collect Pokémon cards featuring heartwarming illustrations from the past as well as all-new cards exclusive to this game.

■ New Pokémon cards!
Immersive cards, a brand-new kind of card, make their debut here! With new illustrations that have a 3D feel, immersive cards will make you feel like you’ve leapt into the world of the card’s illustration!

■ Trade cards with friends!
You can trade certain cards with friends. Use the trade feature to collect even more cards!

■ Show off your collection!
You can use binders or display boards to showcase your cards and share them with the world!

■ Casual battles—alone or with friends!
You can enjoy casual battles during quick breaks in your day! Ranked matches are now available for players who'd like to battle even more.