Although Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket made some notable changes to the original game, one widespread problem is still readily apparent in the latest version of the TCG. Pokémon TCG Pocket It simplifies many of the original’s mechanics, allowing for a much more compact overall experience. However, it also preserved an aspect of Pokémon TCG which has been a source of frustration among players for decades.
The first downloads show that Pokémon TCG PocketThe launch of was very successful, with millions of people collecting their new set of digital cards and battling others from around the world. As the word ‘pocket’ implies, the game is significantly less time consuming than the main game. Pokémon TCGwith 20-card decks and wins based on a three-point system rather than the original six prize cards. But although many Pokémon TCG PocketThe game’s main cards are also exclusive to the title, many of its mechanics are taken directly from the original tabletop game, for better or for worse.
Why Fossil Pokémon Cards Are a Problem in the TCG
Fossil Pokémon are very difficult for players to use
Fossil Pokémon cards’ signature gimmick makes them notoriously difficult to playwhich has been a problem since they have been part of the Pokémon TCG. What would normally be Basic Pokémon are instead Stage 1 Pokémon and evolve from an appropriate Fossil Trainer card.
These Item cards can be played as if they were Pokémon and have HP, but they cannot retreat or attack, making them almost useless until they evolve. Although with that said, fossils can be discarded from the game at any time, a sacrifice that thankfully doesn’t count as a knockout.
Fossil Pokémon were first introduced in Pokémon TCG in 1999 Fossil expansion, which revolved heavily around the concept and included the Mysterious Fossil Trainer card as a precursor to Kabuto, Omanyte and Aerodactyl (the latter being one of the most valuable Fossil set cards today). Later, fossil cards also became items when the trainer card subtype was introduced. It’s also worth noting that some cards also have Abilities to expand their usefulness, typically based around damage reduction, although newer cards once again lack this feature.
Notably, it’s not just the fact that Fossil Pokémon are often little more than shields that can be frustrating for people when trying to build decks around them. Because they are still items until they are thrown, Card effects that specifically target Pokémon cannot be used to put Fossils into play. For example, the Poké Ball card, which places a Basic Pokémon in the player’s hand, cannot be used to search a deck for a Fossil.
Stage 1 fossil Pokémon are still a problem in TCG Pocket
The mobile game doesn’t change anything about the mechanics
Despite many other changes, the mechanics behind Fossil Pokémon are the same as always Pokémon TCG Pocket. Although the game places a strong focus on Kanto and the original 151 Pokémon, including some card designs taken from the original Basic setIt would have been extremely simple for Kabuto, Omanyte, and Aerodactyl to have been designated as Basic Pokémon. Instead, however, each Pokémon still has its own dedicated Fossil Item card as its Base Stage, cards that once again have no way to defend themselves.
Naturally, this means that Pokémon TCG PocketThe Pokémon’s own Poké Ball card cannot remove these effective Base Pokémon from the deck. As a result, the popular Trainer card is nearly useless in a deck meant to focus on Fossil Pokémon. Although Fossil Pokémon are not the strongest Genetic Apex cards, It is disappointing that its use has been limited so heavily when compared to all other cards in the game.
Even the game’s official Kanto Fossils Deck reflects this problem, cutting out the Trainer card completely and relying on just two copies of Teacher’s Research to draw additional cards. The mechanics involved also mean that the success of this deck depends heavily on luck, even before considering the coin toss effects on attacks. It seems like the deck was designed just to show off its main trick and will have a hard time winning matches against more powerful decks (especially without any Fossil Pokémon ex available in the game).
Pokémon TCG Fossil Cards Will Probably Never Be Fixed
The TCG ignored multiple opportunities to do this
Even before the premiere of Pokémon TCG Pocketthe beginning of Scarlet and Violet The series offered a perfect chance to resolve the issues with Fossil Pokémon cards. However, while these expansions have seen the return of Pokémon ex and, more recently, the debut of Tera Pokémon, Fossil Trainer cards have continued to be part of the game. Furthermore, the fact that Pokémon TCG Pocket it’s just continued to keep the mechanic relevant despite streamlining the game in general, meaning it seems less likely than ever that the mechanic will be retired.
While the concept of ‘reviving’ Fossil Pokémon in the TCG as they are in the original games is interesting, in practice the mechanics have always been relatively clunky. It would make perfect sense to Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket to solve the problem of Fossil Pokémon relying on Trainer cards, but that didn’t happen. Instead, it just spread the problem to the newest iteration of the game, where it will no doubt frustrate countless people, many of whom may be experiencing the TCG for the first time.
Source: Official Pokémon/YouTube Channel
Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is a mobile adaptation that reimagines the classic TCG experience for iOS and Android devices.
- Released
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October 30, 2024
- Developer(s)
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DeNA, Criaturas Inc.
- Editor(s)
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The Pokémon Company
- Multiplayer
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Online Multiplayer