In this article, we shall go over the differences and similarities between Pokemon TCG Live and Pokemon TCG Pocket.
The Pokemon franchise is soaring with its TCG collectible card game variants, Pokemon TCG Live and Pokemon TCG Pocket. The two games offer Pokemon fans the chance to collect their favorite Pokemon and use them to engage in battle. However, with both games having similar names and the card-collecting aspect, it can be difficult to distinguish the two. The two games have plenty of similarities and differences. In this article, we shall go over the differences and similarities between Pokemon TCG Live and Pokemon TCG Pocket.
Differences Between Pokemon TCG Live and Pocket
Despite having the same name, the two games differ fundamentally in how they approach the combat and collecting aspects.
Collecting Cards
The two games differ greatly in how you acquire cards. Pokemon TCG Live is essentially the digital version of the physical card game. Hence, it relies on battle pass and redeemable codes for card acquisition. The battle pass in TCG Live grants you cards as you progress through its various tiers. Alternatively, you can also purchase physical cards of the Pokemon you like, and these come with redeemable codes that you can use to unlock the Pokemon in-game. Pokemon TCG Pocket does away with the Battle Pass and physical codes and, instead, relies on booster packs to grant cards to players.
Combat Fundamentals
As stated earlier, Pokemon TCG Live is an extension of the physical card game and follows its battle rules. In TCG Live, you build 60-card decks comprising Energy cards that you can attach once per turn. There are no limits to the type or amount of Energy you choose to put in your deck. Pokemon TCG Pocket, however, disregards the 60-card deck rule and instead opts for a smaller 20-card deck. In Pocket, you do not attach energy cards; instead, Energy is generated in the Energy Zone at each turn. You are also limited to only three different types of Energy in your deck. This creates a different, more deliberate approach to combat.
Microtransactions
Pokemon TCG Pocket is heavy on microtransactions, and you could easily spend around $100 per day trying to open up the booster packs. You are granted 2 free packs per day, but since the rewards in each pack are randomized, you could be enticed into spending to obtain the Pokemon of your choice. Pokemon TCG Live, however, has no microtransactions in-game. The only way to unlock Pokemon in TCG Live is through the free Battle Pass or through the purchase of the physical cards. Pokemon TCG Live, therefore, is less predatory in nature when it comes to microtransactions.
Similarities Between Pokemon TCG Live and Pocket
While the two games may have a different fundamental approach to the deck-building gameplay, both games still share similarities.
For the Love of the Cards
While both games may approach combat differently and feature decks of different sizes, card collecting lies at the heart of both games. In both Pokemon TCG Live and Pokemon TCG Pocket, you will be looking to stack your deck with the best Pokemon to carry to battle.
Battle Players Online
Part of the fantasy of being a Pokemon trainer is to collect the best Pokemon and take them to battle. Each opponent brings in their own stacked deck, and analyzing and poking holes in their deck is part of the thrill. Both Pokemon TCG Live and Pokemon TCG Pocket feature multiplayer battles that put your strategy and deck to the test against other players.
Goals and Events
Pokemon TCG Live and Pokemon TCG Pocket are both regularly updated with weekly challenges and goals to work towards, ensuring that players always have something to do. Both games are also updated regularly with shared events, creating a unified Pokemon TCG ecosystem. Events like the Black Friday Event or the Venusaur Drop Event allow players to work towards goals and targets.
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