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

The Pokémon TCG Pocket developers have finally detailed significant improvements to the game's notoriously flawed trading system. These changes sound promising, but their implementation is unfortunately slated for a considerable delay.

In a community forum post, the developers outlined the upcoming changes:

Removal of Trade Tokens

Trade tokens are being eliminated. Trading will no longer require this cumbersome currency. Instead, trading three-diamond, four-diamond, and one-star rarity cards will 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, the developers plan to increase the amount awarded. This change should significantly increase trading volume. Existing trade tokens will be converted to Shinedust upon removal. Trading of one-diamond and two-diamond rarity cards remains unchanged.

Additional Updates in Development

A new feature will allow players to specify desired cards when initiating trades.

This update fundamentally overhauls the trading system by removing Trade Tokens—a poorly designed currency requiring players to discard cards to acquire. The current system necessitates discarding multiple cards for a single trade, severely hindering its usability.

The new Shinedust-based system offers a marked improvement. Shinedust, already used for purchasing card flairs, is acquired automatically from duplicate cards and through events. Many players likely already possess a surplus. The developers are exploring ways to increase Shinedust availability to facilitate trading. While some cost is necessary to prevent exploitation (e.g., creating multiple accounts to farm cards), the previous system was excessively punitive.

Another significant change is the ability to specify desired trade cards. Currently, players can only list cards for trade without indicating desired cards in return, severely limiting trading opportunities, particularly with strangers.

Community reception to these changes is positive. However, a major drawback is the irretrievable loss of rare cards previously sacrificed for Trade Tokens. While conversion to Shinedust is offered, the lost cards remain a significant issue.

The biggest downside is the lengthy implementation timeframe—fall of this year. Until then, trading is likely to stagnate due to the current system’s unattractiveness. Several expansions may pass before the "trading" aspect of "Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket" functions effectively.

Save your Shinedust!