Getting Started Guide
Everything you need to know to start your Pokemon TCG Pocket journey
Updated for November 2025 - Mega Rising Expansion
Quick Start Checklist
Complete Tutorial Battles
Earn your first booster packs and cards
Open Free Daily Packs
2 free packs every day at reset
Complete Daily Missions
Earn pack points and hourglasses
Join Anniversary Event
Free rewards until December 16, 2025
Understanding the Basics
Game Objective
The goal is simple: knock out 3 of your opponent's Pokemon before they knock out 3 of yours. Each knocked out Pokemon awards 1 point (or 2 points for EX Pokemon).
Win Conditions:
- • Take 3 Prize Points (knock out 3 regular Pokemon or fewer EX Pokemon)
- • Your opponent has no Pokemon in play
- • Your opponent cannot draw a card at the start of their turn
Energy System
Energy is automatically generated each turn - you don't need energy cards in your deck! This makes Pokemon TCG Pocket much faster than the traditional TCG.
How Energy Works:
- • 1 energy generated per turn automatically
- • Attach to any Pokemon on your bench or active spot
- • Energy stays on Pokemon when they evolve
- • Energy is removed when Pokemon is knocked out
Energy Types:
- • Grass, Fire, Water, Lightning, Psychic
- • Fighting, Darkness, Metal, Dragon
- • Colorless (any energy type works)
- • Most decks focus on 1-2 types max
Card Types in Your Deck
Pokemon Cards
The fighters in your deck. You need exactly 20 cards total.
- • Basic Pokemon: Can be played directly from hand
- • Evolution Pokemon: Played on top of their previous stage
- • EX Pokemon: Stronger versions worth 2 prize points when knocked out
- • Mega Evolution: New in Mega Rising! Evolve from EX Pokemon
Trainer Cards
Support cards that provide powerful effects.
- • Item Cards: Can be played anytime during your turn
- • Supporter Cards: Only 1 per turn, but very powerful
- • Stadium Cards: Affect the entire field (new in Mega Rising)
How to Get Free Packs & Cards
Daily Free Resources
Free Pack Hourglasses
Opens every 12 hours. Don't miss it!
Worth: 1 booster pack
Wonder Pick Energy
Recharges 1 every 12 hours (max 5 stored)
Pick from friends' pack openings
Daily Mission Rewards
Complete all missions for pack points
Worth: ~30-50 pack points/day
November 2025 Events
First Anniversary Event
Until Dec 16: Free packs, missions, rewards
Don't miss this!
Mega Rising Emblem Event
Until Nov 17: Win battles for exclusive emblems
Showcase your achievement!
PROMO Wonder Pick
Until Nov 13: Reissued promo cards
Complete your collection!
Building Your First Deck
Beginner Deck Building Rules
Deck Requirements:
- • Exactly 20 cards total (Pokemon + Trainers)
- • At least 1 Basic Pokemon (recommended: 4-8)
- • Maximum 2 copies of any card
- • Focus on 1-2 energy types
Good Deck Structure:
- • 10-12 Pokemon cards
- • 8-10 Trainer cards
- • Include evolution lines (Basic + Stage 1/2)
- • Add draw power (Professor's Research, etc.)
Recommended Starter Decks
Pikachu EX Starter
BEGINNER FRIENDLYThe easiest deck to build and play. Pikachu EX is given in the tutorial and remains competitive even in the current meta.
Key Cards to Get:
- • Pikachu EX (from tutorial/Genetic Apex packs)
- • Zapdos EX (strong secondary attacker)
- • Electrode (energy acceleration from Mega Rising)
- • Thunder Mountain stadium (new in Mega Rising!)
- • Professor's Research, Poke Ball, X Speed
Budget Greninja
NO EX NEEDEDA competitive deck that doesn't require any EX cards. Great draw power makes it consistent.
Key Cards to Get:
- • Froakie → Frogadier → Greninja evolution line
- • Starmie EX (optional but strong finisher)
- • Misty supporter (can accelerate energy)
- • Cascading Falls stadium (new water support!)
- • Professor's Research, Poke Ball
Battle Basics
Your Turn Actions
Draw a card
Automatic at turn start
Attach 1 energy
Choose wisely which Pokemon needs it
Play cards from hand
Basic Pokemon, evolutions, trainers
Attack or retreat
End your turn with an attack
Common Beginner Mistakes
Not benching Pokemon early
Always fill your bench ASAP for backup options
Attaching energy to wrong Pokemon
Plan ahead - which Pokemon will attack next?
Playing too aggressively
Sometimes it's better to build up bench first
Ignoring type matchups
2x damage from weakness can lose you games
Pack Opening Strategy
Which Packs to Open?
As a new player in November 2025, focus your resources on the right packs to build competitive decks quickly.
Mega Rising (B1) - PRIORITY
The newest set with the strongest cards in the current meta. Focus here first!
Must-Have Cards:
Genetic Apex (A1) - SECONDARY
The base set with many staple cards still used in meta decks.
Important Cards:
Pro Tip: Wonder Pick Strategy
Wonder Pick lets you pick 1 card from another player's recent pack opening. Use this to target specific cards you need!
- • Save Wonder Pick energy for packs with EX cards you need
- • Check the pack timer - picks with more time give you longer to decide
- • Friend players who open the packs you want (share pack types in communities)
- • During events, use Wonder Picks for limited promo cards
Your First Week Progression
Day 1-2: Complete Tutorial & Missions
- • Finish all tutorial battles to unlock features
- • Claim your free Pikachu EX from tutorial rewards
- • Complete beginner missions for free pack hourglasses
- • Open your free daily packs (check every 12 hours!)
- • Build a basic Pikachu EX deck to start battling
Day 3-4: Focus on Mega Rising Packs
- • Use all pack hourglasses on Mega Rising (B1) packs
- • Complete First Anniversary event missions for bonus packs
- • Try Wonder Picks for Palkia EX or Mega Blaziken EX
- • Start building towards a 2nd competitive deck
- • Practice battles against CPU to learn mechanics
Day 5-7: Enter Ranked & Refine Deck
- • Start playing ranked matches for better rewards
- • Participate in Mega Rising Emblem event (until Nov 17)
- • Refine your deck based on what you face in ranked
- • Open Genetic Apex packs for staple trainer cards
- • Join the community to trade friend codes for Wonder Picks
Ready for More?
Now that you understand the basics, dive deeper into advanced strategies and deck building!