The much-anticipated trading feature for Pokémon TCG Pocket finally released today, and the response has been, well… mixed. Many players expected trading to be restrictive to encourage microtransactions, especially after a leaked image of the trading interface surfaced a few weeks ago.
Now that it’s live, we can finally see what trading actually entails and whether it’s ultimately worth it.
How to Trade in Pokémon TCG Pocket
Requirements & Restrictions
Friendship
As of release, trades can only be made between friends.
Promo, Packs, and Special Cards
Promo cards and special cards, like the mew you receive for completing the Genetic Apex set, are not available for trade. Likewise cards from the new Space-Time Smackdown Dialga and Palkia are not available for trade on release.
Stamina
Like most functions in PTCGP, each trade requires one trade stamina, and players can store a maximum of five. After updating the game, all players receive a full bar of to get started and it refreshes on a 24-hour cycle. Similar to other stamina, trade hourglasses will be available to speed up time between trades at a rate of one hourglass for one hour less of waiting.
Rarity
Players can trade one ◆, two ◆◆, three ◆◆◆, and four ◆◆◆◆ diamond cards, as well as one-star ⭑ cards. All rarities above one star are not available for trade at this time. Additionally, trades must be for cards of the same rarity (e.g., you cannot trade a one-diamond card for a one-star card).
Trade Tokens
Higher-value cards require a varying number of trade tokens to complete a trade. One and two-diamond cards do not require trade tokens. Three and four-diamond and one-star cards require tokens in the following amounts:
| Rarity | Trade Token Cost |
|---|---|
| ◆ | 0 |
| ◆◆ | 0 |
| ◆◆◆ | 120 |
| ◆◆◆◆ | 500 |
| ⭑ | 400 |
Process
Steps to offer a trade
- Select a trade partner from Social Hub → Trade.
- Select a card to send as an offer.
- After you select the card to send, tap OK.
- Wait for your trade partner’s response.
- When you receive a response, view the card that your trade partner is offering in return, then tap Trade.
- The trade is complete once you receive the card from your trade partner.
Steps to accept a trade
- View the card that your trade partner is offering from Social Hub → Trade.
- Select a card to send in return.
- After you select the card to send, tap OK.
- Wait for your trade partner to tap Trade and accept the trade.
- When your trade partner accepts, tap Trade in Social Hub > Trade to receive their card.
Other Considerations
- Cards pending trade will be unavailable to view or use.
- Stamina and tokens are consumed at the start of trade, and will be returned if the trade is rejected or times out.
- Players have 72 hours to complete a trade.
How to Get Trade Tokens in Pokémon TCG Pocket
As a gift, players were issued 500 trade tokens and 120 trade hourglasses to celebrate the release of the trading feature. There are some options to earn these tokens in game.
Method 1: Recycling Cards
Similar to Flairs, using the Obtain Item feature allows players to exchange cards for trade tokens. The rarity and type of card determine the number of tokens received. Unlike trading with players, any rarity of card from three diamonds and up (including crowns) can be recycled. The exchange values for trade tokens are as follows:
| Rarity | Trade Token Exchange Value |
|---|---|
| ◆ | 0 |
| ◆◆ | 0 |
| ◆◆◆ | 25 |
| ◆◆◆◆ | 125 |
| ⭑ | 100 |
| ⭑⭑ | 300 |
| ⭑⭑⭑ | 300 |
| 👑 | 1500 |
Method 2: Event Missions
Since trading has just released, the specifics of earning tokens through events are unclear. However, Pokémon TCG Pocket’s official trading guide confirms that players will be able to earn tokens through event missions.
With the new Space-Time Smackdown booster expansion launching tomorrow (January 30, 2025), we’ll likely learn more soon! I’ll be updating this guide as new information emerges.
How Do I Feel About the Trading System?
I expected to be disappointed, and while I wish the limitations were less strict, it could have been worse. The exchange rate for tokens is more generous than expected—for example, one spare EX card can cover the cost of trading a three-diamond card.
That said, I wish we could exchange one and two-diamond cards for tokens, even at a 2:1 ratio (e.g., trading 100 cards for 50 tokens). This would allow players to clear duplicates and have an additional way to offload excess cards. Some of
Currently, the long wait between expansions makes trading feel supplementary rather than necessary. By the time the two new boosters dropped, I’d already completed my base decks from Genetic Apex and Mystery Island. Missing luxury cards and full arts doesn’t impact my playstyle much as a collector too much, though it does significantly increase the time to completion. However, for those building competitive VS decks, the trading restrictions may be extremely frustrating considering a constantly shifting meta. And for many fans, the restrictions are simply unfun, especially the inability to trade cards from new expansions.
Developer DeNA has stated that they are monitoring player feedback, so fingers crossed that we see improvements over time!
Until then, happy trading!
Check out Variant Izzie’s review of Pokémon TCG Pocket!
