One Pokémon TCG Type Desperately Needs an Overhaul

Pokemon TCG Pocket sets itself apart from the traditional physical card game with its own unique deck-building rules, capping decks at just 20 cards. Unlike the physical game, where players shuffle their decks with various Energy cards, Pocket delivers a twist by generating Energy types randomly based on the deck’s composition. This system works well for single-type Energy decks, but it’s a challenge for Dragon-type Pokemon because they require multiple Energy types for their moves.

For instance, with Dragon Pokemon, the challenge becomes apparent. Existing as a handful within the game, Dragon Pokemon—barring Gible—need at least two different Energy types for their moves. For example, to unleash Dragonite’s powerful attacks, you’ll need both Water and Electric Energy, while Druddigon calls for Water and Fire. Gabite and Garchomp get by with Water and Fighting Energy.

This reliance on multiple Energy types is cumbersome due to the random generation method. Imagine building a deck centered around Garchomp with supporting Water-type companions like Greninja. You might find yourself flooded with Water Energy, without the single Fighting Energy necessary for Garchomp to strike. With such unpredictable Energy generation, offering improvements could make the gameplay experience smoother for Dragon and multi-type decks.

One potential improvement involves modifying the way Energy is distributed. Instead of relying purely on chance, the game could distribute Energy based on the proportion of different Pokemon types in the deck. For instance, if you include three Water-type Pokemon alongside one Dragon Pokemon needing Water and Fighting Energy, the system could ration one Fighting Energy for every three Water Energies generated.

Another interesting suggestion would be to introduce a Trainer card into Pokemon TCG Pocket. This card, themed around a legendary Dragon trainer like Lance, could allow Dragon-type Pokemon to attack irrespective of the attached Energy types—assuming they have adequate Energy to execute the move. Alternatively, another card could permit players to toggle the Energy type available in the Energy Zone to their preference.

Energy manipulation and control would empower Dragon-type decks, which haven’t seen much action in the current meta dominated by single Energy type decks. Moreover, it would open up avenues for diverse deck-building strategies, enticing players to experiment with combinations previously deemed inefficient due to chaotic Energy generation.

In summary, incorporating such changes would be refreshing for Pokemon TCG Pocket, providing robust support for Dragon-types and sparking creativity in deck construction, ultimately enriching the player experience.