The developers of Pokémon TCG Pocket have finally unveiled major enhancements to the game's trading function, which has been a source of frustration since its launch. These improvements sound promising, but players will need to exercise patience as implementation is slated for the distant future.

In a recent post on the Pokémon community forums, the developers detailed the upcoming changes, which we've outlined below:

Removal of Trade Tokens

Trade tokens will be entirely eliminated, freeing players from the need to sacrifice cards to obtain trading currency. Instead, trading cards of three-diamond, four-diamond, and one-star rarity will require shinedust. This currency will be automatically earned when you open a booster pack and receive a card already registered in your Card Dex. Given that shinedust is also used to obtain flair, the developers are considering increasing its availability to support trading needs. This change is expected to enable more frequent trading than before. Current trade tokens will be converted to shinedust upon removal. The trading mechanism for one-diamond and two-diamond rarity cards remains unchanged.

Additional Updates in Development

A new feature will allow players to share cards they're interested in trading for through the in-game trading function. This update aims to streamline the trading process, making it more user-friendly and effective.

The most significant overhaul involves the elimination of trade tokens, which were previously essential for trading but cumbersome to acquire. Players had to dismantle valuable cards to obtain enough tokens, making the process highly discouraging. The new system, utilizing shinedust, is a marked improvement. Shinedust, already used to purchase card flairs, can be earned from duplicate cards and other in-game activities, making it more accessible. The developers are also exploring ways to increase shinedust availability to facilitate smoother trading.

While some trading cost is necessary to prevent system abuse, such as creating multiple accounts to trade rare cards to a main account, the trade token system was excessively costly for most players. The shift to shinedust should make trading more feasible and enjoyable.

Another crucial update is the ability to share desired trade cards within the game. Currently, players must communicate outside the game to specify trade interests, leading to a lack of engagement with strangers. The new feature promises to enhance trading by allowing players to make informed offers, revitalizing the trading aspect of the game.

The community's response to these changes has been largely positive, though there is one notable downside: players who have already sacrificed rare cards to accumulate trade tokens will not recover those cards, despite the conversion of tokens to shinedust. Additionally, the wait for these updates is significant, with implementation not expected until the fall of this year. In the interim, trading activity may decline as players hold out for the improved system. As new expansions roll out, the full potential of "Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket" may not be realized until these trading enhancements are in place.

So, for now, it's advisable to save your shinedust for the exciting changes ahead!