On January 30, 2025, The Pokémon Company announced the highly anticipated trading feature for its mobile app, Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, known informally as PokéPoké. This update arrives alongside the release of the new expansion packs, "Time-Space Clash: Dialga" and "Time-Space Clash: Palkia," which also became available at 3 PM today.
The new trading mechanism is exclusive to friends, allowing players to suggest trades for cards they wish to exchange. When one player proposes a trade, the counterpart receives a notification, and they can select which card they are willing to swap. Once both parties agree, the trade is completed.
Notably, the trading options are capped at cards of rarity level 4 (◇4) or those marked as 1-star (☆1). Higher rarity cards, exceptional illustrations, or promotional cards cannot be traded. This system is implemented to maintain balance within the game and prevent any forms of undesirable trading practices.
Traders will need to spend resources to complete trades. The main resource, "Trade Power," regenerates over time. Players can also accelerate this recovery with items such as "Trade Hourglass" or "Poké Gold." The second resource, "Trade Medals," is required for exchanging higher rarity cards. Specifically, trades for cards rated at ◇3 cost 120 medals, ◇4 require 500, and ☆1 demand 400 medals.
The trading system is neither limitless nor entirely free; players must manage their resources effectively. When proposing trades, relevant resources are consumed. Should trades fail to materialize—either due to rejection or inactivity—the resources are restored, allowing for future trades. During the proposal period, players cannot use the suggested cards until the trade is finalized or canceled.
Players can also earn Trade Medals through specific tasks including trading several duplicate cards for these prized resources. At present, only select cards from the current card packs, such as certain cards from "The Mightiest Genes" and "The Mysterious Islands," are available for trading under the new system.
This trading update is viewed as pivotal for the game, enhancing players' capabilities and engagement with the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket. The additional trading feature allows the community to interact more deeply, exchanging cards, building custom decks, and enhancing their play experience.
Importantly, this new trading feature's functionality is under continuous review, with changes planned for the future as developers seek to improve balance and fairness within the game's economy. The announcement about the trading feature also follows warnings from international media about the potential risks of unauthorized market trading and data tampering, emphasizing the necessity for players to remain vigilant.
With the addition of the dial-up expansions and trading functionalities, Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket has set the stage for enhanced interactive experiences. Fans are excited about the prospect of trading among friends, collecting various cards, and strategizing their gameplay.