As someone who’s been a longtime fan of the Pokémon franchise and a collector at heart, I find both Pokémon TCG Pocket and Live to be intriguing digital adaptations of the classic trading card game. However, if I were to choose one based on my personal preferences and life experiences, I’d lean towards Pokémon TCG Pocket.
For almost three decades, the classic game known as the Pokemon Trading Card Game has been enjoyed by many. However, it wasn’t until 2023 that The Pokemon Company decided to digitalize it, launching their first competitive video game based on the TCG, called Pokemon TCG Live. Effectively a digital adaptation of the traditional card game, its purpose was to bring the trading card experience to smartphones. A year later, in 2024, The Pokemon Company, along with partners DeNA and Creatures, introduced another TCG game named Pocket. While sharing the goal of mobile TCG play, Pocket offers a distinctive touch.
Are Pokemon TCG Pocket and Pokemon TCG Live Connected?
The physical Pokemon Trading Card Game serves as a source of inspiration for both the Pokemon TCG Pocket and Pokemon TCG Live applications, yet it’s important to note that they are standalone games with no shared features. Each title focuses on collecting Pokemon cards and combat, but unfortunately, players cannot transfer progress or compete against each other across these different platforms.
What’s Different Between Pokemon TCG Pocket and Live?
TCG Pocket and TCG Live offer distinct gaming experiences due to differences in how they handle obtaining cards, constructing decks, battle mechanics, rule systems, in-game purchases, player progression, and available game modes. Let’s explore the distinctions between these two versions of Trading Card Game.
Card Acquisition
- Pocket: You acquire cards via booster packs
- Live: You acquire cards via battle pass and redeem codes
In Pocket, you can obtain cards by opening free and premium booster packs. Free players are given access to open two packs per day, although additional packs can be purchased using in-game currency. On the other hand, Live primarily offers cards through the free Battle Pass and real-life Pokemon Trading Card Game packs. The Battle Pass grants new cards based on your progression in matches, whereas physical packs come with redemption codes that unlock their digital versions within the game.
Microtransaction
- Pocket: Has multiple paid services
- Live: Revolves around one premium pass
In the Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket version, there’s a significant focus on additional purchases through microtransactions, such as Poke Gold. Although players don’t have to spend money to advance, they’ll require these currencies to unlock more packs and superior cards. On the other hand, in Pokemon TCG Live, microtransactions are kept to a minimum. Players mainly purchase physical booster packs, digital pack codes, or premium passes for extra cards, which are significantly less expensive compared to the monetization strategy used in Pocket.
Combat and Rules
- Pocket: Simplifies physical Pokemon TCG’s mechanics and rules
- Live: Is a replica of the physical Pokemon TCG
In terms of combat and rules, Pokemon TCG Pocket offers a simpler version of the original game. Matches are shorter, the card roster is limited, the player’s hand and bench size are smaller, and the Prize Card mechanic is replaced with knockout points. Here’s a breakdown:
To triumph in Pocket, you need to defeat an opponent’s active Pokemon thrice. In Live, victory comes when you gather six Prize Cards, which are acquired through diverse actions.
2. Pocket allows three Pokemon on the bench, while Live allows five.
3. Pocket players can hold only five cards in their hand, while Live allows seven.
4. Damage distribution differs in Pocket, with Pokemon having fewer damage points than in Live.
5. Certain features from Live, like Resistance and Pokemon V cards, are absent in Pocket.
6. In Pocket, there’s no Mulligan mechanic, meaning you always begin with a Basic card. In Live, however, the game employs Random Number Generation (RNG), which could result in you not receiving a Basic card in your opening hand, requiring a Mulligan.
Progression
- Pocket: Progression revolves around collecting cards
- Live: Progression is tied to competitive (PvP) aspects
Instead of Pokemon TCG Live, competing against others to advance on the ranked leaderboards is emphasized. Conversely, Pokemon TCG Pocket places greater importance on amassing cards. Advancement in this version is primarily achieved by opening more packs, uncovering rarer Pokemon, and displaying or exchanging these treasures with other players through the game’s social functions.
Game Modes
- Pocket: Has game unique game modes
- Live: Replicates the physical Pokemon TCG’s modes
In the digital version of Pokemon TCG Live, the gameplay modes are primarily digital equivalents of the traditional game’s modes, including Standard and Expanded, supplemented by unique modes like Casual and Ranked. While these modes share the same combat mechanics as the physical game, they serve distinct functions.
In Pokemon TCG Pocket, players have the freedom to engage either in Player versus Player (PvP) battles or friendly duels with friends, much like in real-life events. What sets Pokemon TCG Pocket apart is its inclusion of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) opponent mode, a feature not found in live games.
Deck-Building
- Pocket: Has a simplified deck-building process
- Live: Comes with an extensive deck-building process
The main distinction between a Pokemon TCG Pocket deck and a Pokemon TCG Live deck lies in their card counts. In the Pocket version, decks are restricted to 20 cards, permitting no more than two of the same card. Conversely, a Live deck comprises 60 cards, allowing up to four copies of each Pokemon or utility card.
Moreover, it’s important to note that the game played on Pocket does not include Stadium and Tool cards, instead concentrating solely on Trainer (Item and Supporter) and Pokemon cards. Unlike the experience in Live, there is currently no method within matches of Pocket to search your deck for specific cards, whereas Live features utility cards like Ultra Ball for such purposes.
Why There Are Two Digital Pokemon TCG Games?
According to Nerdist’s report, Keita Hirobe, the Executive Corporate Officer of Pokemon TCG Pocket, mentioned during a pre-launch interview that the main objective of the Pocket version is to provide an engaging and immersive experience for those new to the trading card game side of the Pokemon franchise.
Hirobe clarified that “Pocket” is a concept we have to make the Pokemon Trading Card Game (PTCG) friendlier and within reach for more players. This is different from Pokemon TCG Live, which is an expansion of the real-life card game designed to help players grasp the rules and experiment with decks. However, “Pocket” focuses on the enjoyment of collecting cards, combining the elements of collecting and competition into a single digital format.
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2024-11-06 18:04