The latest Pokémon TCG Pocket update brings an exciting feature—trading—allowing players to swap cards with friends and complete their collections.
However, this new mechanic introduces some complications, mainly due to the introduction of Trade Tokens and Trade Stamina. Understanding how to use these currencies is key to successful trading in the game.
What Are Trade Tokens and Trade Stamina?
Trade Tokens and Trade Stamina are new currencies introduced alongside trading in Pokémon TCG Pocket. They are essential for performing trades with other players, with each serving a different purpose:
- Trade Stamina: Similar to Pack Stamina and Wonder Stamina, this currency is required to facilitate trades. You can recharge Trade Stamina by waiting 24 hours, but it can also be replenished using other in-game items, speeding up the process. Each player has a total of five hearts for Trade Stamina.
- Trade Tokens: These are required to trade cards of certain rarities. While some cards can be traded freely using only Trade Stamina, higher-rarity cards require Trade Tokens for swapping.
How Do Trade Tokens Work in Pokémon TCG Pocket?
Trade Tokens act as passes for trading higher-rarity cards. Cards like Diamond/Common and Diamond/Uncommon can be traded without any Trade Tokens, but once you reach rare cards and beyond, you’ll need Trade Tokens to swap them. The rarity of the card determines how many tokens are needed for trading.
How to Get Trade Tokens in Pokémon TCG Pocket
To earn Trade Tokens, you need to dismantle rare cards in your collection. This mechanic is similar to how Shinedust and Card Flair work, where dismantling cards generates a specific amount of tokens. Here’s a breakdown of how many Trade Tokens you get from dismantling each rarity of card:
| Card Rarity | Trade Tokens Generated |
|---|---|
| 1 Diamond/Common | None |
| 2 Diamond/Uncommon | None |
| 3 Diamond/Rare | 25 |
| 4 Diamond/Double Rare | 125 |
| 1 Star/Illustration Rare | 100 |
| 2 Star/Super Illustration Rare | 300 |
| 3 Star/Immersive Rare | 300 |
| Gold Crown/Crown Rare | 1,500 |
Currently, you can’t trade cards above Illustration Rare cards, but that could change in the future as new updates are introduced.
Pokémon TCG Pocket: Trade Tokens Costs for Each Card
To trade cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket, you need a certain number of Trade Tokens, and the cost can vary based on the card’s rarity. Here’s the breakdown of how many Trade Tokens you’ll need to send cards to a friend:
| Card Rarity | Trade Tokens |
|---|---|
| 1 Diamond/Common | None |
| 2 Diamond/Uncommon | None |
| 3 Diamond/Rare | 120 |
| 4 Diamond/Double Rare | 500 |
| 1 Star/Illustration Rare | 400 |
Why the Cost Difference?
The higher costs for 4 Diamond/Double Rare cards make sense, as they are some of the strongest cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket. These cards, like Pokémon ex, are essential for top-tier decks, making them more valuable in trades. Even if you can’t get a rare Immersive Art Pokémon ex, you can still acquire a regular Pikachu ex card, which is just as useful in deck building.
Conclusion
Despite the complexities introduced by Trade Tokens and Trade Stamina, the trading feature in Pokémon TCG Pocket opens up new opportunities for players to enhance their collections.
Players can swap cards, dismantle duplicates to gather Trade Tokens, and access rare cards they might be struggling to pull from packs. With a little patience and strategic planning, trading can be a powerful tool in expanding your deck and creating the perfect setup.