Pokémon Trading Card Game Online
| Pokémon Trading Card Game Online | |
|---|---|
 Logo of Pokémon Trading Card Game Online | |
Basic info
| |
| Platform: | PC, Mac, iPad, and Android tablets |
| Category: | Strategy |
| Players: | 1-2, with unlimited in chat |
| Connectivity: | Internet |
| Developer: | Electrified Games, Sleepy Giant Entertainment, Plexipixel, Inversoft |
| Publisher: | The Pokémon Company International |
| Part of: | Generations IV-VII misc |
Ratings
| |
| CERO: | N/A |
| ESRB: | E |
| ACB: | PG |
| OFLC: | G |
| PEGI: | 7 |
| GRAC: | N/A |
| GSRR: | N/A |
Release dates
| |
| Japan: | N/A |
| North America: | March 24, 2011 (TC beta) |
| Australia: | March 24, 2011 (TC beta) |
| Europe: | March 24, 2011 (TC beta) |
| South Korea: | N/A |
| Hong Kong: | N/A |
| Taiwan: | N/A |
Websites
| |
| Japanese: | N/A |
| English: | Game site |
Pokémon Trading Card Game Online (also referred to as Pokémon TCG Online or TCGO) is a downloadable game and the first Pokémon game of the MMOTCG (massively-multiplayer online trading card game) genre. It is based on the Pokémon Trading Card Game or TCG aspect of the Pokémon franchise and follows the same rules. The game was originally released as a browser-based game in March 2011 before being relaunched as a downloadable game in 2012 for the PC and Mac, iPad in 2014, and Android tablets in 2016. It officially emerged from open beta testing in February 2015 but continues to be refined and improved upon on a continual basis. The game is free to download and is accessible to both beginners and experienced players. It is also intended to be used by both adults and children. Players do not need to purchase physical Theme decks or Booster packs from a store in order to play. Players are provided with everything they need, and there are multiple means of earning new cards and other rewards as the game is played.
Guided story
So as to not overwhelm new players of all age levels with the complexity of the full game and in order to assist less experienced players in learning basic game mechanics, all players are initially directed through a set of in-game Tutorials and then the beginning set of Matches in the Trainer Challenge before all game features are accessible.
Upon logging into the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online, players start their adventure at a virtual "Game Store", where Trainers Zach and Ella welcome them. Players begin by playing through two in-game Tutorials with a simplified Basic Blue Starter Theme deck and its Water 
and Colorless 
Pokémon against Zach and Ella before slowly unlocking a Basic Yellow Starter Theme deck and its Lightning 
and Colorless Pokémon against five additional computer-controlled Trainers. These seven Trainers uses a variety of different Deck and Pokémon types and often use Pokémon cards with attacks that apply Special Conditions, thus introducing players to a variety of basic game mechanics. Advancement through the in-game Tutorials does not require players to win a given match.
Next, players compete against another set of computer-controlled Trainer characters from the Trainer Challenge. Players are provided with four Starter Theme decks, each representing one of four Starter Pokémon types — Fire 
, Grass 
, Lightning , and Water . Player proceed sequentially through the Trainer Challenge as they win matches in three in-game "Leagues". The full set of features in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online is not unlocked until players have won a match against the first several Trainers in the Gold League. Once the full feature set is unlocked, the Trainer Challenge may be pursued at the player's own pace or bypassed entirely.
Bypass training
Players already familiar with the game may bypass this directed training phase by disabling the "New User Experience" under Options.
Rotation chart
Many in-game Pokémon Trading Card Game Online features rotate or change on a recurring basis:
Game Feature Rotation Daily login bonus to either Pokémon.com or the TCGO (12 Trainer Tokens) — inclusive of but independent from the TCGO Daily, 12:00 AM UTC Daily Match Bonus (10 Trainer Tokens) Daily, 12:00 AM UTC Daily Login Bonus reward system rotation Daily, 12:00 AM UTC Daily Challenge reward system rotation Daily, 10:00 AM UTC Weekly Tournament rotation Monday, 7:00 PM UTC Weekly Shop rotation Wednesday, 12:00 AM UTC Weekly Pokémon.com website ONLY 15 Trainer Token maximum per week — independent from the TCGO but relevant for Trainer Token acquisition purposes Saturday, 4:00 AM UTC
Play modes
There are five primary Play modes available. These are Trainer Challenge, Versus Mode, Tournament Mode, Tutorial Mode, and Quick Match. Additionally, Friend Battle and Play Testing are available under Friends in the Social menu and the Deck Manager respectively.
Trainer Challenge
In the Trainer Challenge, players face various computer-controlled Trainer characters using only Theme decks, including Online-exclusive Theme decks featuring Starter Pokémon Tepig and Fire-type Pokémon , Snivy and Grass-type Pokémon , and Oshawott and Water-type Pokémon from the Black & White Series (BW Basic Red, BW Basic Green, and BW Basic Blue) and the XY Basic Yellow featuring Pikachu and Lightning type Pokémon , unlocked in Tutorial Mode, from the X & Y Series. Players may also use Theme decks unlocked by Redemption codes from code cards found inside appropriately marked, physical Theme decks as well as those purchased virtually with Trainer Tokens or Gems from the in-game Shop. Code cards are obtainable from the Black & White Series onward.
| Zach | Ella | Game Store | Professor |
| Ali | Brittney | Calvin | Cammie |
| Daniel | Grayson | Juji | Kendall |
| Logan | Mick | Nathan | Otis |
| Penelope | Rika | Tyson |
Players battle in three "Leagues": Gold League, Platinum League, and City Championship. Players have the option of adjusting the match difficulty between: "Easy", "Medium", and "Hard" (see Earning stars). Changing the difficulty setting changes the composition of the opponent's deck. Players must defeat a given Trainer in a specific spot or position once before unlocking the next Trainer position. Players must also defeat a given league once before unlocking the next, starting with Gold League and ending with City Championship. Unlike more traditional Pokémon Trading Card Game Tournaments such as the multi-player Tournament Mode, defeat on the part of players in these Trainer Challenge leagues does not result in players changing their standing. In other words, players may pickup right where they left off rather than start all over again.
Winning matches in the Trainer Challenge earn players Trainer Challenge Points that apply toward each Trainer in a unique league position. Trainer Challenge Points then Earns 1 to 4 stars with 1, 3, or 10 Trainer Token or Booster pack awards.
There are also 12 circles at the bottom of the "Select A Trainer" screen for a Trainer Challenge match, which correspond to each of the 12 Trainers in that league. By clicking on the corresponding circle, players may quickly select that Trainer in that specific spot or position. Some Trainers appear more than once in a league. Some do not appear at all. A padlocked circle means that the corresponding Trainer has not yet been unlocked. An open grey circle indicates that the Trainer has been unlocked but has not been beaten with any of the player's Theme decks. A dark green check mark over a grey circle means that the Trainer has not yet been defeated with the player selected Theme deck. A light green check mark indicates that the Trainer has already been defeated with the player selected Theme deck. Each Theme deck has its own set of dark green and light green check marks for each Trainer position in each league.
Unlocking decks
Players must defeat 7 Trainers with the same Starter Theme deck (except for the XY Basic Yellow Theme deck) to fully unlock all the cards in that deck. Two cards are replaced automatically with each Trainer beaten. Beating the same Trainer in a different position in a league or in a different leagues counts toward the 7 successes. Beating a Trainer in the same position in a league more than once does not count toward the 7 successes.
- NOTE: The XY Basic Yellow Theme deck is unlocked in Tutorial Mode.
- NOTE: The October 2, 2013 update retired a feature that also gradually unlocked redeemable or purchased Theme decks over the course of 11 successful wins as described above. All redeemed or purchased Theme decks are now fully "unlocked" immediately upon redeeming or purchasing them in the in-game Shop.
Versus Mode
Players take on other players in a Random Battle with one of four Play types or Deck formats (Theme, Standard, Expanded, or Unlimited) and a deck appropriate to the selected Play type.
Random Battle
The Random Battle feature allows players to play against another randomly selected online player. Players earn a single Trainer Token for each match played ("Expert Matchmaking Reward"), provided they have met minimum playtime requirements, plus 2 Trainer Tokens if they win a match versus a player who was ranked by the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online as having an "Advantage" based on player/deck play history ("Game Advantage Upset Reward"). Additionally, players are give the chance to spin the Bonus Wheel, which provides an opportunity to receive Trainer Tokens, Event Tickets, or a Mystery Box reward. Trainer Tokens and the Bonus Wheel are provided to both players regardless of the outcome of the match. This feature was formally an option under Ranked Battle and Opponent Types.
Winning a match also earns players Versus Points, which advance players along a Versus Ladder reward system.
Play types
Players select from four Play types, also known Game type or Deck format:
- Theme
- Only preconstructed Theme decks are allowed in this play type. Apart from the Starter themed Online-exclusive Theme decks, Theme decks are obtained by either using Redemption codes or by purchase with Trainer Tokens or Gems in the in-game Shop.
- Standard
- Only decks composed entirely of cards from expansions or sets officially sanctioned for Play! Pokémon events for the Standard format are allowed in this play type. The list of allowed expansions is updated with a game patch shortly after as the official, annual Rotation is announced. Expansions are added to the Standard format as they are released (typically four a year), and the oldest legal expansions are rotated out of the Standard format on an annual basis. The Standard format was previously called the Modified format.
- Expanded
- Only decks composed entirely of cards from expansions or sets officially sanctioned for Play! Pokémon events for the Expanded format are allowed in this play type. This format was added in the 2014-2015 season to allow a greater number of expansions than the Standard format but not be as unpredictable in card combinations as the Unlimited format. The list of allowed expansions is updated with a game patch shortly after as the official, annual Rotation is announced. Expansions are added to the Expanded format as they are released.
- Unlimited
- Any deck composed of cards currently available in the game are allowed in this play type (including Expanded format decks, Standard format decks, and Theme decks). Currently, only HeartGold & SoulSilver, Black & White, and XY sets and their expansion are available in the game. This format was retired from the VS Ladder on March 30th, 2016
- Legacy
- Only decks composed of cards from HeartGold & SoulSilver and Black & White expansions can be played in this format. This format was added as a way to allow players to use HeartGold & SoulSilver cards without having to face "broken" decks such as the "Shiftry Giant Fan Donk".
Events Mode
Entry into Events, formerly referred to as "Tournaments" versus other players require either Event Tickets or Trainer Tokens. Players may use any of the four available deck formats (Theme, Standard, Expanded, or Legacy), though not all Deck formats are always available. Playing in events with other players provides the opportunity to gain Trainer Tokens or additional Event Tickets with a spin on the Bonus Wheel at the end of each match, win or lose, as well as the opportunity to earn Trainer Tokens, Event Tickets, Booster packs, and Uncommon Chests based on player placement in a given event.
Each 8-man event is composed of three-round single elimination matches between 8 players. Upon selecting a Deck format with either an Event Ticket or Trainer Token entry requirement, players are placed into a queue until 8 players join. Once that queue is full, the event will begin and a new queue will be created. The maximum duration of an event is 1 hour and 17 minutes with up to 25 minutes minutes per match (12 and ½ minutes per player) and one minute between rounds.
Event rotation
Continuously running events currently offer four Deck formats: three require a Event Ticket entry fee and one a Trainer Token entry fee. The exact Deck formats and entry fee varies on a weekly basis on Mondays at 7:00 PM UTC (Coordinated Universal Time or Greenwich Mean Time).[1] As of August 2016, the Event Ticket entry fee is generally 8 Event Tickets (with a special weekend event for 24 Event Tickets sometimes offered) while the Trainer Token events cost 89 Trainer Tokens to enter.
Special events
The first non-trial Tournament special event officially premiered on February 5, 2015 as a weeklong tournament in which players battled in all four Deck formats for special themed rewards based on Team Magma and Team Aqua from the Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire video games. Other special events occur from time to time.
Event rewards
Entry costs and rewards vary widely for special events. Continuously running event entry costs and rewards are standardized:
Trainer Tokens Event Tickets Entry Cost: 89 Trainer Tokens
Used to require only 49 Trainer Tokens.Rewards:
- 1st Place — Event Tickets ×3
- 2nd Place — Event Tickets ×2
- 3rd to 4th Place — Event Tickets ×1
- 5th to 8th Place — Trainer Tokens ×12
Entry Cost: 4 Event Tickets
Rewards:
- 1st Place — Current expansion Booster packs ×2 and Random Booster packs ×1
- 2nd Place — Current expansion Booster packs ×1 and Random Booster packs ×1
- 3rd to 4th Place — Random Booster packs ×1
- 5th to 8th Place — Uncommon Chests ×1
Entry Cost: 6 Event Tickets
Was only available on weekends prior to the start of 8-ticket events.Rewards:
- 1st Place — Current expansion Booster packs ×2, Random Booster packs ×2, and Uncommon Chests ×3
- 2nd Place — Current expansion Booster packs ×2, Random Booster packs ×1, and Uncommon Chests ×1
- 3rd to 4th Place — Random Booster packs ×1 and Uncommon Chests ×1
- 5th to 8th Place — Uncommon Chests ×1 and Trainer Tokens ×25
Entry Cost: 8 Event Tickets
Rewards:
- 1st Place — Current expansion Booster packs ×4, Random Booster packs ×2
- 2nd Place — Current expansion Booster packs ×2, Random Booster packs ×2
- 3rd to 4th Place — Random Booster packs ×2
- 5th to 8th Place — Uncommon Chests ×1
Entry Cost: 8 Event Tickets (weekend)
Only available briefly when a new expansion is released.Rewards:
- 1st Place — Current expansion Booster packs ×6
- 2nd Place — Current expansion Booster packs ×4
- 3rd to 4th Place — Current expansion Booster packs ×2
- 5th to 8th Place — Uncommon Chests ×1
Entry Cost: 24 Event Tickets
Only available on weekends.
Tutorial Mode
- Main article: Tutorial (TCGO)
After being welcomed to the "Game Store", players face Zach and Ella in two Tutorial Pokémon Trading Card Game matches designed to teach players the basics of game play. Players advance regardless of whether they win or loose a match. If players "Play as a Guest" and complete the initial two Tutorials, they will be presented with a full match against a random computer-controlled Trainer from the Trainer Challenge. Players may repeat but will not advance beyond this random battle stage. Players will, however, be encouraged to create a Pokémon Trainer Club "User Name" and "Password" after each of these matches.
- Pokémon Trainer Club
- Players who create a Pokémon Trainer Club account also may use this account on the official Pokémon.com website and at Play! Pokémon events.
After logging into the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online with a Pokémon Trainer Club account, players advance directly from the second Tutorial to five additional Tutorials. These final set are more like traditional matches rather the first two Tutorials. Instead, of computer-controlled Trainers discussing specific game mechanics, these Tutorials use abbreviated matches to introduce players to Special Conditions imposed by attacks and introduce players to different Deck types and builds. In these final five matches, players are also presented with and slowly unlock a XY Basic Yellow Theme deck. By the end of the seventh match, players will gain full access to this XY Basic Yellow deck.
Tutorial Ladder: Tutorial #: Reward: Tutorial #1 25 Trainer Tokens. Tutorial #2 25 Trainer Tokens. Tutorial #3 25 Trainer Tokens. Tutorial #4 50 Trainer Tokens. Tutorial #5 50 Trainer Tokens. Tutorial #6 75 Trainer Tokens. Tutorial #7 one non-tradable, 10-card Booster pack.
Tutorial Ladder
At the bottom of the main Tutorial screen, players find seven steps or ladder rungs on a Tutorial Ladder represented by seven Trainers images and connected to one of seven unique Tutorials. When an individual Tutorial is completed, a green "check mark" is placed over the Tutorial Ladder image and the background turns from light blue to dark blue. Completing an individual Tutorial on the Tutorial Ladder earns players 25 to 75 Trainer Tokens (250 Trainer Tokens total) or a non-tradable, 10-card Booster pack. Players are welcome to replay a given Tutorial by selecting it on the Tutorial Ladder; however, the rewards may only be earned once.
Additional tutorials
For those seeking Additional tutorials outside of the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online itself, a brief description of How to play appears on the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) page. The Appendix:Glossary also defines most TCG terminology and game mechanics. Players may also browse Bulbapedia related TCG articles at Category:Pokémon Trading Card Game. Bulbagarden additionally hosts forums to discuss the TCG at the Pokémon TCG and Collectibles forum. Finally, there are browser-based step-by-step TCG tutorials on Pokémon.com.
Quick Match
Quick Match is a single player mode using a randomly selected Theme deck that players have unlocked. Players battle against another randomly selected player. The match does not count toward Player rank, earn Trainer Tokens, or a Bonus Wheel spin.
Friend Battle
Friend Battle is located under the Friends section of the Social menu by selecting the head silhouette next to a friend who is currently logged into the game. This mode allows players to play against another player who is on their Friends List. This mode does not count toward Player rank or earn Trainer Tokens and a Bonus Wheel spin.
Play Testing
Play Testing is located under the Deck Manager. This mode allows players to practice using their chosen deck against a random computer-controlled Trainer from the Trainer Challenge and does not count toward Player rank or earn Trainer Tokens and a Bonus Wheel spin.
Collection viewer
Collection viewer button (three cards). The Collection viewer shows cards, unopened Booster packs and Non-exclusive Theme decks, and Avatar and Gameplay items in a player's collection as well as items players tag "For Trade", "Wanted", or "For Review".
Trade Locked cards
Most cards available in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online are "Trade Locked", meaning that they may not be Traded with other players. This limitation is designed to discourage "card farming" — players creating extra accounts solely to expand their card collection through card trading (including trades with the player's primary account). Only cards redeemed with Redemption codes found with the purchase of physical Non-exclusive Theme decks, Booster packs, and similar collections, gained through Booster packs earned in Tournament Mode are "Tradable". Two symbols at the bottom of each card in the Collection viewer represent how many Tradable or Trade Locked cards players have in their collection. The left number with a blue background represents tradable cards, while the right number next to the padlock symbol with the grey background represents Trade Locked cards.
Until the Steam Siege update on August 2, booster packs and individual cards earned through the Victor's Bonus Wheel were also tradeable. With this update, such cards and packs can no longer be traded.
Currency
There are three currencies available in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. These are Trainer Tokens, Event Tickets, and Gems. Only Trainer Tokens and Event Tickets are currently obtainable worldwide.
Trainer Tokens
- Main article: Trainer Token
Trainer Tokens may be used to redeem non-tradable, 10-card Booster packs (200 Trainer Tokens) from current expansions of the game and Non-exclusive Theme decks (500 Trainer Tokens) also from current expansions, as well as Avatar and Gameplay items. They are obtained through various means, including Daily Challenges, Trainer Challenges, Tutorial Ladder, Versus Ladder, Random Battle matches in the Versus Mode and Tournament Mode, and the Bonus Wheel.
Trainer Tokens are also obtained by playing various browser-based games, earning Stamps, and reading articles on Pokémon.com. They may also be spent on various items for a player's Pokémon.com Trainer Avatar. This is similar to but distinct from the Pokémon TCG Online Avatar within the game itself.
- NOTE: 5-card Booster packs are unique to the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. They contain at least 3 Common (
), 1 Uncommon (
), and the chance for 1 Rare (
) cards from a given expansion. Most Booster packs typically contain 10 cards and have a higher percentage of common cards in them, including those received as rewards in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online and redeemed with Redemption codes in the in-game Shop.
- NOTE: 5-card Booster packs were discontinued with the update to client version 2.34. All trade-locked 5-card Booster packs were converted to 10-card Booster packs. 5-card booster packs bought with Gems are still in the game, but are unobtainable by any means, making Theme a desirable collector's item.
Event Tickets: - 9.99 USD for 10 Event Tickets
- 24.99 USD for 25 Event Tickets
- 49.99 USD for 50 Event Tickets
- 99.99 USD for 100 Event Tickets
Event Tickets
Event Tickets are currently available as Daily Login Bonus rewards, as rewards on the Versus Ladder, or by spinning the Bonus Wheel. They are used to gain access to tournaments in Tournament Mode by redeeming a certain amount of tickets needed to enter a given tournament.
Additionally, Event Tickets my be purchased by clicking on the Ticket icon on upper right side of Game menu found on most screens or by going directly to www.pokemontcg.com/us/purchase.
Gems
Gems are currently only available to adult players in Canada for testing and are purchased from the in-game Shop. Similar to Trainer Tokens, Gems may be used to purchase Booster packs, Non-exclusive Theme decks, Avatar items, and Gameplay items in the in-game Shop or used as a currency for trading with other players.
- NOTE: A Gem is typically equal to 2 Trainer Tokens.
Deck Manager
Deck Manager button (open deck box). The Deck Manager allows the players to view, clone, edit or create decks using obtained cards and items. Decks may be created in either the Standard, Expanded or Unlimited format Play types. Selecting a Standard format or Expanded format filters out cards not sanctioned for official Pokémon Trading Card Game events. After selecting a set of 60 cards, a Deck box, Coin, and Card sleeve Gameplay item may also be selected. While the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online presents an option to select a Playmat, only the default Playmat is available at this time. These Gameplay items may be obtained by Redemption codes from code cards or event codes in the in-game Shop or purchased with Trainer Tokens or Gems.
Redeem codes
Redeem codes button (gift box w/ bow). Redemption codes are unique codes that allow players to unlock Theme decks, Booster packs and more. They are only found on specially marked packs and decks. "Contains 1 code card" is found on the back of Booster packs which contain a Redemption code card. Only Theme decks that are clearly marked "Play This Deck Online" will contain Redemption codes. These unique Redemption codes can only be used once. For a full list of redeemable decks, please see List of Pokémon Trading Card Game Online decks
As a general rule:
- All standard sixty card Theme decks will unlock their respective cards, as well as a coin. All of these cards are not Trade Locked cards and can be used in any way desired.
- Elite trainer boxes unlock Gameplay items including a deckbox and sleeves. Most will unlock no cards (though the booster packs included in the physical boxes will still have their own cards.) These items can be traded as well.
- If an online code card is included, multipack boxes such as the Charizard-EX Box and tins will unlock rewards ranging from a single card to a full 60 card deck.
The following include an online code card from the XY series and are not Trade Locked cards:
- Charizard-EX Box unlocks the Charizard-EX (XY Promo 17).
- Pyroar Box unlocks the Pyroar (XY Promo 26; Sheen Holofoil), Blacksmith (Flashfire 88; Sheen Holofoil), and Fiery Torch (Flashfire 89; Sheen Holofoil).
- Krookodile-EX Box unlocks the Krookodile-EX (XY Promo 25).
- Gallade-EX Box unlocks the Gallade-EX (XY Promo 45).
- Rayquaza-EX_Box unlocks the Rayquaza-EX (XY Promo 66).
- Shiny_Rayquaza-EX_Box unlocks the alternate colored Rayquaza-EX (XY Promo 69).
- Mega Latios Collection unlocks the Latios (XY Promo 65; Cosmos Holofoil).
- Legends of Kalos Tins: Xerneas unlocks Xerneas-EX (XY Promo 7)
- Legends of Kalos Tins: Yveltal unlocks Yveltal-EX (XY Promo 8)
- Legends of Hoenn Tins: Kyogre unlocks a theme deck (only one Kyogre-EX (XY Promo 41) and 6 water energies are not Trade Locked cards.)
- Legends of Hoenn Tins: Groudon unlocks a theme deck (only one Groudon-EX (XY Promo 42) and 6 fighting energies are not Trade Locked cards.)
- Hoenn Power Tins: Sceptile unlocks a theme deck (only one Sceptile-EX (XY Promo 53) and 6 grass energies are not Trade Locked cards.)
- Hoenn Power Tins: Blaziken unlocks a theme deck (only one Blaziken-EX (XY Promo 54) and 6 fire energies are not Trade Locked cards.)
- Hoenn Power Tins: Swampert unlocks a theme deck (only one Swampert-EX (XY Promo 55) and 6 water energies are not Trade Locked cards.)
- Powers Beyond Tins: Hoopa unlocks a theme deck (only one Hoopa-EX (XY Promo 71) and 6 psychic energies are not Trade Locked cards.)
- Powers Beyond Tins: Latios unlocks a theme deck (only one Latios-EX (XY Promo 72), 3 water energies, and 3 psychic energies are not Trade Locked cards.)
- Powers Beyond Tins: Rayquaza unlocks a theme deck (only one Rayquaza-EX (XY Promo 73), 3 lightning energies, and 3 fire energies are not Trade Locked cards.)
In addition, there are generic Redemption codes which may be used by all Pokémon TGCO players. The following are confirmed codes which unlock Theme decks, Booster packs, and Avatar items (all of which are non-tradable):
- PlasmaFreeze - Rallying Cry deck
- PlasmaBlast - Rallying Cry deck
- PlasmaStorm - Rallying Cry deck
- BoundariesCrossed - Rallying Cry deck
- LegendaryTreasures - Rallying Cry deck
- Flashfire - Rallying Cry deck
- FuriousFists - Rallying Cry deck
- PhantomForces - Rallying Cry deck
- PrimalClash - Rallying Cry deck
- RoaringSkies - Rallying Cry deck
- AncientOrigins - Rallying Cry deck
- DragonsExalted - Pokémon-EX Hat (Avatar Item)
- DarkExplorers - Pokémon-EX Hat (Avatar Item)
- NextDestinies - Pokémon-EX Hat (Avatar Item)
- PokemonTCG - Black Cap (Avatar Item) (No longer works)
Reward systems
These multiple and overlapping Reward systems built into the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online allow players to be rewarded for using the game based on their current area of interest rather than playing to any one specific Reward system. Players do not need to specifically focus on progressing within a specific Reward system track, but should instead feel free to play in the type of online Pokémon Trading Card Game matches they want and be rewarded for doing so. The eight primary Reward systems include: Bonus Wheel, Daily Challenge, Daily Login Bonus, Daily Match Bonus, Game play rewards, Mystery Box, Special Challenges, Tournament Chests, and Versus Ladder. Additional game play reward systems are built into each of the four primary modes of game play: Trainers Challenge, Versus Mode, Tournament Mode, and Tutorial Mode.
Bonus Wheel
The Bonus Wheel provides an opportunity to receive special bonus rewards such as Trainer Tokens, Event Tickets, or a Mystery Box. Spins on the Bonus Wheel are earned through participation in a Random Battle in Versus Mode or a tournament match in Tournament Mode against another player.
There are two Bonus Wheels: a Victor’s Bonus Wheel and a Basic Bonus Wheel. The Victor’s Bonus Wheel includes greater Trainer Token amounts, an opportunity to receive Event Tickets, and a high value Mystery Box.
- Victor's Bonus Wheel: 5 Trainer Tokens ×3, 10 Trainer Tokens ×2, 15 Trainer Tokens ×1, 25 Trainer Tokens ×1, 1 Event Tickets ×2, and a Mystery Box ×1
- Basic Bonus Wheel: 1 Trainer Tokens ×4, 3 Trainer Tokens ×3, 5 Trainer Tokens ×2, and a Mystery Box ×1
- NOTE: The original, now retired, single Bonus wheel contained 1 to 5 Trainer Tokens, 1 Event Ticket, and a Mystery Box.
Daily Challenge
The Daily Challenge rewards players for playing the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online on a daily basis. Players are presented with specific game related challenges starting at 9:00 AM UTC (Coordinated Universal Time or Greenwich Mean Time) each day.[2] Players may ONLY accept a single challenge during a single day. The challenge does not need to be completed before the end of a given day. However, players will not be offered a new challenge until they finish their current challenge or "Abandon" it, except as a new day's challenge may be worked on simultaneously as players advance in Player level. The first four challenges cannot be abandoned. If players complete their current challenge and a new day has already started, players will be offered that new day's challenge. If more than one day passes before players complete their current challenge, only the current new day's challenge will be presented. The challenge backlog or queue is never greater than one day at a time.
- NOTE: Players can only choose ONE CHALLENGE PER DAY. At higher Player levels, players have the opportunity to choice between two and eventually three options each day. However, they can only choose ONE of them. All additional challenges that players do not select are LOST. While players may choose another challenge on the following day and may also store up to two or three old challenges at higher Player levels, players can never pick up more than one new challenge each day.
As players successfully complete challenges, they earn Trainer Tokens and random Booster packs. Each Daily Challenge has an Pokémon type associated with it as well as an Experience Point (or XP) value, which are applied to that given Pokémon type. Each Pokémon type starts at Level 0 (zero) and increases to Level 3, unlocking special Pokémon type themed Coins (Level 1), Card sleeves (Level 2), and Deck boxes (Level 3). It takes a total of 5 XP for players to reach Level 1 in a given Pokémon type and then 5 more XP for Level 2. Pokémon type Level 3 requires 10 additional XP. If more XP is earned then required to reach the next level, it rolls over. However, at present, no XP will be applied after players reach Level 3 in a given Pokémon type. Active Challenges/Level Progress in the Player Profile will not read more than "20/20".
Earning a Pokémon type level also increases overall Player level by one. Players starts at Player level 0 (zero). Increasing Player level eventually allows players to save and pursue up to three Daily Challenges at one time.
- NOTE: "Player level" should not be confused with "Player rank", by which Pokémon Trading Card Game Online tracks player skill level when matching players for Random Battles matches and for indicating player "Advantage" in both Random Battle and Tournament matches
View/Abandon challenge
A popup window introduces the Daily Challenge to players following their logging into the game. Afterward, "Active Challenge" and "Level Progress" may be viewed in the center icon/tab under Player Profile. Selecting an active challenge will display a small trash can icon. Selecting the trash can icon allows players to "Abandon" that challenge. "Abandoning" a challenge will cause all progress to be lost.
- NOTE: The first four Daily Challenges may not be abandoned. Players must complete these first four challenges before additional, random challenges are presented.
By hovering over a given Pokémon type with the mouse pointer (or iPad equivalent), a small indicator will show players how much XP they have earned to date for the next Pokémon type level and how much total XP is needed to reach that level. Players must hover over the progress bar itself on a Daily Challenge in order for a similar indicator to appear detailing challenge progress.
Challenge list
The very first four challenges are presented in order and cannot be abandoned or bypassed. After these first four challenges are completed and continuing through Player level 5, challenges are selected randomly from a set of three challenge types based on four Pokémon types (Fire , Grass , Psychic 
, and Water ). These initial Pokémon types correspond to the Pokémon found in the three Starter Theme decks unlocked in the Trainer Challenge plus the Daily Login Bonus Theme deck, Mental Might. Players may use these four Theme decks or any other deck that qualifies for the challenge criteria. Player level 6 challenges represent a blending of the initial set of random challenges and the second set of random challenges. The second set of random challenges are based on all Pokémon types (except for Colorless ) and becomes the default set at Player level 7. Random challenges haves a Rarity frequency that defines how often players should expect to be presented with a particular type of challenge: Common (
), Uncommon (
), and Rare (
). The less common the challenge, the better the rewards. Booster packs awarded with the completion of Rare () challenges may be either 5-card or 10-card Booster packs, with 10-card Booster packs becoming more typical as players increase their Player level. Challenges known to be presented so far include:
Challenge Name: First Four Challenges: Game mode: Reward: XP: Sequence: Driving In
- Win a match with 1 Theme Deck that contains Water
Pokémon.
Any 25 Trainer Tokens 2
Challenge #1 Burning Attack
- Win a match with 1 Theme Deck that contains Fire
Pokémon.
Any 25 Trainer Tokens 2
Challenge #2 ...
- Win a match with 1 Theme Deck that contains Grass
Pokémon.
Any 25 Trainer Tokens 2
Challenge #3 Mighty Mind
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5-card Booster pack 2 
Challenge #4 Challenge Name: Challenges appearing randomly during Player levels 0 to 5 with the following rarity frequency: Game mode: Reward: XP: Rarity: Combustion
Any 25 Trainer Tokens 1
Common
Seeds of Destruction
Any 25 Trainer Tokens 1
Common
Little Splash
Any 25 Trainer Tokens 1
Common
Mind Games
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode25 Trainer Tokens 1
Common
Smouldering
Any 50 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
Planting Seeds
Any 50 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
Narrow Stream
Any 50 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
Psy Awakening
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode50 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
Embers
Any 5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Splinter
Any 5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Undertow
Any 5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Brain Drain
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Player level 6 challenges are a mixture of the above and below sets. Challenge Name: Challenges appearing randomly during Player levels 7 to 15 with the following rarity frequency: Game mode: Reward: XP: Rarity: Shadow Strike
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode30 Trainer Tokens 1 
Common
Sharp Claws
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode30 Trainer Tokens 1 
Common
Pixie Punch
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode30 Trainer Tokens 1 
Common
Roundhouse Kick
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode30 Trainer Tokens 1 
Common
Incineration
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode30 Trainer Tokens 1
Common
Dangerous Spores
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode30 Trainer Tokens 1
Common
Powerful Jolt
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode30 Trainer Tokens 1 
Common
Iron Crash
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode30 Trainer Tokens 1 
Common
Bad Dreams
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode30 Trainer Tokens 1
Common
Tidal Wave
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode30 Trainer Tokens 1
Common
Total Eclipse
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode55 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
Learning to Fly
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode55 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
Dazzling Sparkle
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode55 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
Training Hard
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode55 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
Burning Bright
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode55 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
Taking Root
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode55 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
High Voltage
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode55 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
Reinforcing
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode55 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
Phantom Power
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode55 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
Rising Tides
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode55 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
Shroud of Pain
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Dragon Blast
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Dazzling Power
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Rock Slide
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Wildfire
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Forest Flurry
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Turbo Laser
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Sharp Strike
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Terror Strike
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Whirlpool
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Challenge Name: Challenges appearing randomly during Player levels 16 to 30 with the following rarity frequency: Game mode: Reward: XP: Rarity: Total Darkness
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode35 Trainer Tokens 1
Common
Sonic Power
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode35 Trainer Tokens 1
Common
Sweet Disaster
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode35 Trainer Tokens 1
Common
Flying Fists
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode35 Trainer Tokens 1
Common
Fire Storm
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode35 Trainer Tokens 1
Common
Nature's Wrath
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode35 Trainer Tokens 1
Common
Lightning Storm
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode35 Trainer Tokens 1
Common
Cut Down
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode35 Trainer Tokens 1
Common
Nightmare
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode35 Trainer Tokens 1
Common
Hurricane
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode35 Trainer Tokens 1
Common
Eternal Night
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode60 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
Dragon's Roar
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode60 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
Brilliant Light
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode60 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
Powered Up
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode60 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
Blazing Hot
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode60 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
Growing Strong
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode60 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
Turbocharged
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode60 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
Gleaming Steel
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode60 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
Superior Mind
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode60 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
Raging River
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode60 Trainer Tokens 2
Uncommon
Fade to Black
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Dragon Rage
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Rainbow Power
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Earthquake
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Inferno
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Chocking Vines
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Lightning Blast
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Slice and Dice
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Psychic Assault
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Powerful Flood
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
Challenge Name: Challenges temporarily removed with the June 2, 2015 update: Game mode: Reward: XP: Rarity: ...
- Leave 20 opposing Pokémon Asleep
- — The conditions may be applied by any card.
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
...
- Leave 24 opposing Pokémon Burned.
- — The conditions may be applied by any card.
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
...
- Leave 24 opposing Pokémon Confused.
- — The conditions may be applied by any card.
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
...
- Leave 20 opposing Pokémon Paralyzed.
- — The conditions may be applied by any card.
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
...
- Leave 20 opposing Pokémon Poisoned.
- — The conditions may be applied by any card.
Random Battle or
Tournament Mode5 or 10-card Booster pack 3
Rare
- Win a match with 1 Theme Deck that contains Water
Daily Login Bonus
The Daily Login Bonus provides a reward for playing Pokémon Trading Card Game Online on a daily basis simply by logging into the game. It consists of an initial track designed to help new players get started in the game, and a track that provides recurring rewards to existing players. Each reward unlocks the first time players login each day starting at 12:00 AM UTC (Coordinated Universal Time or Greenwich Mean Time). This reward system does not require players to login on consecutive days to maintain progress on the track. Once players complete the introductory New Player track, they are migrated to the recurring Existing Player track. There is no limit to the number of times players may complete the Existing Player track, as they are cycled back to the beginning of the track after receiving the bonus reward for the fifth day.
- New Player Track
- Day 1 - 1 Online-exclusive Theme deck (currently Mental Might)
- Day 2 - 25 Trainer Tokens
- Day 3 - 5 non-tradable, 10-card Booster pack (randomly selected from Standard format expansions)
- Existing Player Track
- Day 1 - 5 Trainer Tokens (Prior to the June 2, 2015 update, Day 1 awarded 15 Trainer Tokens.)
- Day 2 - 10 Trainer Tokens (Prior to the June 2, 2015 update, Day 2 awarded 15 Trainer Tokens.)
- Day 3 - 15 Trainer Tokens (Prior to the June 2, 2015 update, Day 3 awarded 1 Event Ticket. Prior to the April 3, 2014 update, Day 3 awarded 15 Trainer Tokens.)
- Day 4 - 1 Event Ticket (Prior to the June 2, 2015 update, Day 4 awarded 15 Trainer Tokens.)
- Day 5 - 1 non-tradable, 10-card Booster pack (randomly selected from Standard format expansions)
This reward system was briefly retired with the March 25, 2015 update in favor of the new Daily Challenge reward system but was reintroduced on June 2, 2015 to allow players who are not interested in pursuing Daily Challenges to continue earning daily rewards.
- NOTE: There is a separate Daily login bonus that may be received by logging into either Pokémon.com or TCGO each day starting at 12:00 AM UTC (Coordinated Universal Time or Greenwich Mean Time), which earn players/website users 12 Trainer Tokens. This Daily Login bonus to independent of the TCGO reward system.
Daily Match Bonus
The Daily Match Bonus or "Daily PvP Game Reward" awards 10 Trainer Tokens for completing the first Random Battle match each day (12:00 AM UTC, Coordinated Universal Time or Greenwich Mean Time), regardless of whether players win or lose and in addition to any other rewards. All player versus player match play time minimums apply.
Game play rewards
There are several reward systems built into the four primary Play modes: Trainer Challenge, Versus Mode, Tournament Mode, and Tutorial Mode.
Play Mode: Brief Description of Game Play Rewards: Trainer Challenge Earning "Stars" after defeating computer-controlled Trainers in the Trainer Challenge earns 1, 3, or 10 Trainer Tokens and a 10-card Booster pack once for each of the 36 Trainer opponents. Players additionally obtain 3 more Booster packs by earning 4 Stars with all 12 Trainers in each of the three "Leagues". Finally, purchasable Non-exclusive Theme decks provide 1 Trainer Token after beating each of the 36 Trainers plus a 10-card Booster pack after beating the first 12 Trainers once per Theme deck. Versus Mode A single Trainer Token and a Bonus Wheel spin are earned when a match is played regardless of who wins or loses in Versus Mode, provided minimum Minimum Playtime Requirements are met. Two additional Trainer Tokens are earned if players win again an opponent who the Player rank system determined to have the "Advantage". The Versus Ladder reward system is also integrated into Versus Mode as are all of Daily Challenges. Tournament Mode Same as Versus Mode as summarized above (accept for the Versus Ladder). Additionally, players earn Tournament rewards based on Tournament type and Tournament placement. All Daily Challenges may also be completed in Tournament Mode. Tutorial Mode Each of the seven Tutorial Mode Tutorials earn players 25 to 75 Trainer Tokens (250 Trainer Tokens total) or a 10-card Booster pack.
Mystery Box
Mystery Box rewards are earned on Bonus Wheel spins. Rewards include both static rewards (25 Trainer Token, 4 Event Tickets, a 5-card Booster pack from the current Standard format expansion or randomly selected from current Standard format expansions) or items that are updated weekly such as a single expansion or promo card or a Gameplay item such as Coin or Card sleeve. The February 4, 2015 update increased the rewards in a Victor’s Mystery Box to include 50 Trainer Tokens, a larger Event Ticket amount, tradable single cards, and tradable 10-card Booster packs.
Special Challenges
Special Challenges are like Daily Challenges except they take more time to complete. They also offer greater rewards. They are viewed or abandoned just like Daily Challenges. New Special Challenges often accompany a major update to the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. Known Special Challenges include:
Special Challenge: Game mode: Time Limit: Reward: XP: Rarity: - Put 135 Basic Pokémon into play.
Random Battle 5 days non-tradeable, 10-card Booster pack ×2 from the current expansion n/a Common
- Put 90 Evolution cards into play.
Random Battle 5 days non-tradeable, 10-card Booster pack ×2 from the current expansion 3
Common
Random Battle 5 days non-tradeable, 10-card Booster pack ×2 from the current expansion N/A Common
- Win 20 Versus Mode matches.
Random Battle 5 days non-tradeable, 10-card Booster pack ×2 from the current expansion N/A Common
- Win 9 Trainer Challenge matches.
Trainer Challenge 5 days 300 Tokens N/A Common
All modes 3 days 3 Event tickets N/A Common
Expanded Mode 9 days 2 Legendary Treasures packs N/A Common
Legacy Mode 9 days 2 Undaunted packs N/A Common
- Win 10 Legacy matches.
Legacy Mode 9 days 2 HeartGold & SoulSilver packs N/A Common
Random Battle 3 days 2 Call of Legends packs N/A Common
- Collect 100 Prize Cards
All modes 3 days 300 Tokens N/A Common
Random Battle 9 days 2 XY packs 3
Common
Random Battle 9 days 2 Flashfire packs 3
Common
Random Battle 9 days 2 Furious Fists packs 3
Common
All Modes 3 days 300 Tokens N/A Common
- Win 9 Trainer Challenge matches.
Trainer Challenge 3 days 300 Tokens N/A Common
- Win 6 tournament matches.
Tournament mode 3 1/2 days 1000 tokens N/A Common
Tournament mode 4 days 750 tokens 3
Common
Random Battle 3 days 2 Fates Collide packs 3
Common
Random Battle 7 days 2 Black & White packs N/A Common
Random Battle 7 days 2 Emerging Powers packs 3
Common
Random Battle 7 days 2 Noble Victories packs 3
Common
- Collect 60 Prize Cards
All modes 3 days 300 Tokens N/A Common
- Win 7 Expanded matches.
Expanded Mode 9 days 2 Legendary Treasures packs N/A Common
- Do 3000 damage in Expanded matches
Expanded Mode 9 days 2 Boundaries Crossed packs N/A Common
- Collect 42 Prize Cards in Expanded matches
Expanded Mode 9 days 2 Phantom Forces packs N/A Common
- Knock Out 20 Pokémon with your non-Basic Pokémon
All Modes 4 days 200 tokens N/A Common
All modes 4 days 2 Sun & Moon packs 3
Common
- Win 10 Expanded matches.
Expanded Mode 4 days 2 Plasma Blast packs N/A Common
Tournament Chests
Tournament Chests are earned at the end of Tournament Mode tournaments. The exact number of chests awarded, if any, depends on player placement in a tournament. Each Tournament Chest contains a random number of Trainer Tokens and a single card of Uncommon Rarity or higher from a Standard format expansion.[3] This card is tradable if the Tournament Chest itself is tradable, but is not tradable if the tournament Chest is not. Only Tournament Chests from some tournaments are tradable.
They have been renamed to Uncommon Chest, with a new item, the Holo Treasure Chest, added which contains higher sums of trainer tokens and a card of "Holo Rarity or better" from a Standard format expansion.
Versus Ladder
The Versus Ladder provides an improving stage or ladder rung of rewards for players successfully winning matches in Versus Mode. Players earn 10 Versus Points for every match they win and an additional 5 Versus Points when they win against an opponent with the "Advantage", as well as additional Versus Points equal to their current win streak times five (up to a maximum of twenty). Players have 3 weeks or 21 days to progress as far as they can up the Versus Ladder before the ladder is reset. Player rewards include Trainer Tokens, Tournament Chests, Event Tickets, Booster packs, groups of one to three Pokémon cards, groups of one to two high-rarity card (so far including Pokémon-EXs, Pokémon-GXs and Ace Spec cards), and a holofoil Trainer card.
When initially introduced, the booster packs being given in the ladder would always be from the most recent expansion at the time of the reset. However, since the ladder started on September 4, 2017, it's become possible for boosters to instead belong to an older expansion. So far, all awarded boosters have been from expansions that were legal for the Expanded Format at that point in time.
Cards Earned in Versus Ladder
The following table displays the cards that players may earn in the Versus Ladder.
Shop
Shop button (shopping cart). The in-game Shop system allows players to purchase Non-exclusive Theme decks, 10-card Booster packs, Gameplay items (Card sleeves, Coins, Deck boxes, etc.), and Avatar items with either Trainer Tokens or Gems. Redeeming Redemption codes, found with the physical purchase of the above items, is also done through this in-game Shop. Finally, the Shop allows adult players to purchase Gems and Event Tickets with real currency. A Gem is typically equal to 2 Trainer Tokens. Following the February, 2016 update, 5-card packs were replaced with 10-card packs which cost 200 tokens.
Shop items
- Non-exclusive Theme decks cost 500 Trainer Tokens.
- 10-card Booster packs cost 200 Trainer Tokens.
- Limited available Card sleeves cost 275 Trainer Tokens.
- Limited available Deck boxes cost 150 Trainer Tokens.
- Avatar items availability are limited and Trainer Tokens cost varies. A wide variety of Avatar items are available at Pokémon.com, and new Avatar items are more routinely release at the Pokémon.com website than in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online in-game Shop.
- Discontinued items, no longer available:
- Weekly special rotated items which varied widely, but often included themed Bundles[4] or Blister packs with a cost range of 200 to 1265 Trainer Tokens; these typically include some combination of Booster pack(s), Promotional card(s), and game Coin.
Shop rotation
Starting on March 13, 2015, the predictability of item availability was streamlined and standardized.[5] A weekly special rotation was established, which occurred on Wednesday, when a new Weekly special would be offered and the former Weekly special would be removed. That way, the rotation would see a specific item's eventual return in the rotation cycle. Quarterly, new Non-exclusive Theme decks and Booster packs were introduced following the release of a new Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion. Annually, older Non-exclusive Theme decks and sometimes Booster packs were removed following the start of a new format Rotation usually after the Trading Card Game World Championships in August of each year. Finally, there were occasional, exclusive items made available for time to time that may only remain available for a less defined, limited period.
On February 27, 2018, several changes were announced regarding the way the shop would work from now on.[6] All Booster packs and Theme Decks from the XY series were brought back to the store in a permanent way, promising those from both the Black & White and the HeartGold & SoulSilver series to also be added in future updates.
Trade
Trade button (right & left arrows). The Trade system allows players to view and create public and private trade offers in-game. Players may trade one or several items, cards, and packs in each transaction. Items, cards, and packs obtained from Daily Challenges, the Trainer Challenges, redeeming the multiple-use Redemption codes or with Trainer Tokens are not available for trade with other players (appeared as "Trade Locked") to prevent players from accumulating these items by creating multiple accounts.
Theme decks
- Main article: Theme Deck (TCG)
Currently, new players have access to six Online-exclusive Theme decks unique to the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. These Theme decks are composed of cards from various Black & White and XY expansions of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Many Non-exclusive Theme decks are also available.
Online-exclusive Theme decks
- Main article: Online-exclusive Theme decks
- Born of Fire, Crushing Current, and Hidden Depths. These decks are composed of cards from the XY series of expansions. They are slowly unlocked for use in all Play modes by beating seven different computer-controlled Trainers in the Trainer Challenge with each deck. This automatically replaces certain cards per Trainer beaten.
- Mental Might is given as the first Daily Login Bonus and is NOT playable in the Trainer Challenge.
- Rallying Cry is unlocked by entering non-exclusive Redemption codes (e.g. "plasmablast") in the in-game Shop. It is NOT playable in the Trainer Challenge.
Rotated Online-exclusive Theme decks
- Main article: Rotated Online-exclusive Theme decks
- Four original Starter Pokémon Theme decks — Basic Blue, Basic Green, Basic Red, and Basic Yellow — were available to players prior to the April 18, 2013 update. These decks are composed of cards from the HeartGold & SoulSilver Series of expansions. Players with accounts created prior to this update may access these rotated Starter Theme decks as well as the current Black & White series and XY series Starter Theme decks in all Play modes.
- BW Basic Blue, BW Basic Green, and BW Basic Red - were available to players prior to September 1, 2015. These decks are composed of cards from the Black & White Series of expansions. They are slowly unlocked for use in all Play modes by beating seven different computer-controlled Trainers in the Trainer Challenge with each deck. This automatically replaces certain cards per Trainer beaten. Players with accounts created prior to this update may access these rotated Starter Theme decks as well as the current XY series Starter Theme decks in all Play modes.
- XY Basic Blue, XY Basic Green, XY Basic Red, and XY Basic Yellow - were available to players prior to September 25, 2016. These decks are composed of cards from the XY series of expansions. They are slowly unlocked for use in all Play modes by beating seven different computer-controlled Trainers in the Trainer Challenge with each deck. This automatically replaces certain cards per Trainer beaten. Players with accounts created prior to this update may access these rotated Starter Theme decks as well as the current Sun & Moon Series Starter Theme decks in all Play modes.
- Basic Orange was formally unlocked as the first Daily Login Bonus prior to the August 13, 2014 update. It can no longer be unlocked. It is still accessible to players who have already obtained it. It is NOT playable in the Trainer Challenge.
- Power Relay was formally unlocked by entering a special Redemption code (e.g. "plasmablast") in the in-game Shop prior to the October 2, 2013 update. Now, it can only be redeemed by codes distributed at PAX East 2016.
Non-exclusive Theme decks
- Main article: Non-exclusive redeemable decks
These Theme decks correspond to the physical decks in the Black & White Series expansion onward and be may unlocked in Pokémon Trading Card Game Online by redeeming the deck-access Redemption codes included in the Theme deck box. Only one Theme deck of the same kind per account can be unlocked regardless of the number of codes. Alternatively, newer Theme decks may also be purchased with Trainer Tokens or Gems in the in-game Shop. There is no limit to the number of in-game Shop copies of a Theme deck that may be purchased.
Players obtain a single Trainer Token for beating each of the 36 Trainers in the Trainer Challenge once per Theme deck. Additionally, players also obtain a non-tradable, 10-card Booster pack from the current Standard format by beating 12 Trainers once per Theme deck. These Trainer Tokens and Booster packs can only be obtained once per account.
The Game menu navigation system is accessible at the top of most Pokémon Trading Card Game Online screens. Game menu options appear in the following order left to right: Home, Play!, Cards, Shop & Redeem, Player Profile, TCGO graphic, Trainer Token total, Event Tickets total, Options, and Social menu. Many primary Game menu options provide access to additional secondary options. All game features should be accessible through this unified navigation system.
Home
Home button (house symbol on green background). Selecting this button in the very upper left corner of most Pokémon Trading Card Game Online screens takes players back to the initial post-login Landing screen.
Play!
Play! button (triangle “play” symbol on green background). Allows players to select from the following Play modes: Trainer Challenge (star), Versus Mode (lightning bolt), Tournament Mode (trophy cup), in-game Tutorial (graduation cap), and Quick Match (triangle “play” symbol).
Cards
Cards button (three cards on green background). Allows players to select the following Pokémon card related features: Collection viewer (three cards), Deck Manager (open deck box), and Trade (right & left arrows).
Shop
Allows players to select from two options:
Shop button. It is where players go to purchase, through in-game Currency, items in the in-game Shop such as limited-time bundles; Non-exclusive Theme decks; 10-card, non-tradable Booster packs; Gameplay items; and Avatar items
Redeem Codes button. It is where players go to redeem codes for booster packs or other Pokémon merchandise.
Player Profile
Player Profile (Lvl Number – yellow text on green background). It is located just to the left of the large TCGO graphic in the upper center of most screens. Selecting the Player Profile provides access to the Avatar Creator, Daily Challenge information, and player game Statistics.
Avatar Creator
Selecting the Avatar Creator icon (left most of three icon near the upper righthand corner of the Player Profile screen — short sleeve T-shirt) allows players to customize their online Avatar in-game picture. Players may select from several skin and hair colors, hair styles, facial features, and clothes (also known as "Avatar items"). Players may unlock various Avatar items (clothes) by purchasing them with Trainer Tokens or Gems in the in-game Shop, redeeming codes in the Shop, or by in-game Trading with other players. Trainer Tokens may also be used to unlock clothing items on Pokémon.com by going to Customize Trainer. Avatar and/or Trainer clothing items available for purchase in one, are not always available for purchase in the other. Items added in one are not always available in the other. Like Pokémon cards, Avatar items cannot always be traded. Items purchased on Pokémon.com typically cannot be traded.
The Avatar Creator in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online adopts changes made by players on Pokémon.com to their Customize Trainer the next time that players logs back in to the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online, and vice versa.
Active Challenges/Level Progress
This is the default screen that opens when players select their Player Profile, represented as the middle of three icon near the upper righthand corner of the Player Profile screen (an upward pointing arrow). All Active Challenges are displayed here after they are first presented to players in a popup window upon login into the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. Additionally, player progress toward achieving specific Energy type level and rewards and overall Player level are also viewable here.
Statistics
The Statistics icon (right most of three icon near the upper righthand corner of the Player Profile screen with three dots followed by three short lines). It allows players to view their cumulative "Game Stats" and "Collection Stats" on one of two tabs. Before being retired, information about the Achievements reward system was also located here.
Game Stats: Collection Stats: - Percent Complete — percentage of cards obtained out of all cards available in the game
- Different Cards Owned — number of different cards in a player's collection
- Total Cards Owned — total number of cards in a player's collection
- Set Nearest to Completion — expansion or set with the highest percentage of total cards are in a player's collection
- Complete Sets — enumeration of expansion or sets of which all cards are in a player's collection
- Most of One Card
- Foil Cards Owned — number of holofoil and reverse-holofoil rare cards
TCGO graphic
Selecting the large Pokémon Trading Card Game Online graphic in the upper center of most Pokémon Trading Card Game Online screens takes players back to the initial post-login Landing screen.
Trainer Token total
Trainer Token total (yellow coin on blue). This area provides the total number of player earned Trainer Tokens. Nothing happens when selecting the Trainer Token total image area. It is provided strictly for display purposes only.
Event Tickets total
Event Tickets total (yellow ticket on blue background). This area provides the total number of player earned Event Tickets. Selecting the Event Ticket total take adult players to a webpage where additional Tickets may be purchased. Otherwise, it is provided strictly for display purposes only.
Options
Options button (2 gears on green background). The Options menu is the second to last option in the upper righthand corner of most screens. It allows players to access the in-game Settings, Help, and Exit the game. It is one of two Game menu navigation system options available while players are competing in a Pokémon Trading Card Game Match.
Settings
Located in Options, this feature allows players to change various Game Settings such as "Game Play", "Video", "Audio", and "Image Cache". Multiple players using the same Pokémon Trading Card Game Online program have individual/per-account settings.
- NOTE: Turning off "Tool Tip Hints" may negatively affect game play by making certain in-game information inaccessible, such as how many cards are left in the player's or an opponent's deck.
Pokémon Trainer Club
- Main article: Pokémon Trainer Club
Some game settings are inaccessible in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online game itself and can only be found in the Pokémon Trainer Club by signing into Pokémon.com and viewing a player Profile. Adult players may adjust all available settings by selecting "Pokémon TCG Online Settings" under the adult player's Profile.
Child accounts
- Main article: Pokémon.com, User profile
While the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online strives to be child friendly, parents may further restrict access to certain in-game features by signing into the parent's account on Pokémon.com, selecting the child's account under the parent account, and selecting Pokémon TCG Online Settings. Parents should be certain to select "Pokémon TCG Online Settings" under the child's account, not the parent's account. Parents may then restrict some in-game features such as Friend Chat, Game Chat, Shopping, and Trading.
- NOTE: Some in-game features are inaccessible in child accounts, such as Public Chat and Private Messaging, while other in-game features are restricted by limiting available options. Adult accounts do not have such restrictions.
Help
The Help menu is found under Options. It provides links to web-browser based "Support", "Pokémon Rules", and "Pokémon Tutorials" (online Professor (TCGO)). The final "Legal" entry provides access to the in-game "End User License Agreement" and "Privacy Policy".
Exit
Also located in Options, players "Exit" or "Logout" of the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online by selecting.
Social menu button (left facing triangle with three head silhouettes on green background). The Social menu is found in the upper lefthand corner of most screens. When it is selected, it opens a side bar that slides out from the right side of the screen. When open, this Social menu side bar allows players to search for online "Friends", participate in "Public Chats", and review many recent in-game notification "Messages". It is one of two Game menu navigation system options available while players are competing in a Pokémon Trading Card Game Match, although its feature set is adjusted to reflect the in progress match context.
Friends Tab
By selecting the head silhouette image next to a "Friend"'s screen name, players are provided with several options: "Challenge Friend To A Game" (lightning with two head silloettes), "Private Message" (word bubble with three dots), "Remove Friend" (minus sign with head silhouette), and "Block And Ignore Player" (circle with strikeout line).
Blocking players
Players may choose to Block other players from interacting with them for any reason within the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online, including features such as "Chat" and Versus Mode Random Battles. This "Block and Ignore Player" feature is found in the Social menu's "Friend" and "Chat" sections by selecting the head silhouette icon next a player's name and then selecting the "Block and Ignore Player" option.
Other features
Earning stars
Players earn up to four stars for each of the 36 Trainer opponents in the Trainer Challenge. Whether players win or lose, points are calculated at the end of a match. These points are added to the current point total for that individual Trainer in that position in a given league. Based on that cumulative total, players earn the following four stars and game rewards:
- 1 Star (at 1,000 points) = 1 Trainer Token (per Trainer opponent)
- 2 Stars (at 5,000 points) = 3 Trainer Tokens (per Trainer opponent)
- 3 Stars (at 14,000 points) = 10 Trainer Tokens (per Trainer opponent)
- 4 Stars (at 30,000+ points) = 1 non-tradable, 10-card Booster pack from the current Standard format (per Trainer opponent)
- Additionally, players obtain 3 more non-tradable, 10-card Booster packs from the current Standard format format by earning 4 Stars with all 12 Trainers in a league for 9 more Booster packs.
These Trainer Tokens and 45 total Booster packs may only be obtained once per account.[7]
Scoring points in a Trainer Challenge match is based on various player performance criteria and on the difficulty level chosen, with a higher difficulty level earning more points per match by multiplying the earned points by the difficulty multiplier below:
- Easy = 1
- Medium = 2
- Hard = 3
Game notifications
Game notifications are posted via two methods: 1.) the Game Information section at the bottom of the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online log-in screen, and 2.) Pop-up Windows that appear shortly after logging into the game. Notices include Daily Challenge announcements as well as announcements concerning future Tournament special events, server maintenance that will make the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online unplayable for a few hours, information about a recent program upgrade or patch, etc.
Gameplay items
Gameplay items include Card sleeves, Coins, and Deck boxes. There is no unique advantage to selecting any one Gameplay item over another. It is solely a matter of player preferences about how certain game elements look. Gameplay items may be purchased from time to time in the in-game Shop, made available along with the purchase of Theme decks directly from the in-game Shop or through Redemption codes provided with the purchase of physical Theme decks and other select card collections, or may be Traded for with other players.
- NOTE: Playmats are not currently available in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online, although an option to select one in the Deck Manager indicates that they may become available in the future.
Coins
- Main article: Coin (TCG)
Coins are Gameplay items that are used in-game when a move, status effect, or ability requires a coin flip. Different coins have no special effects; their only difference is their appearance. Players start out with the Red Arceus coin. At one time, the Blue Energy coin was given to players by completing certain in-game achievements (currently unavailable to newer players). Additional coins are made available when players redeem a purchased Non-exclusive Theme deck's Redemption code or event code in the in-game Shop or when players purchase a Non-exclusive Theme deck through Trainer Tokens or Gems.
Landing screen
The Landing screen is what players see immediately upon logging into the game. The Game menu on the Landing screen lacks a Home or selectable TCGO graphic since these options navigate the player back to this screen. Players may re-access the Landing screen by clicking on the Home button or the TCGO graphic logo. The Landing screen is the only way to access the five day Daily Login Bonus chart by selecting the Poké Ball in the lower right.
Login screen
The first sceen players see upon logging into Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. If players already have a Pokémon Trainer Club account, they may enter their "Username" and "Password" to log into the game. Additionally, in the upper left, players may select from one of several languages. They may choose to Exit the game by selecting the red "Power" button in the upper right. Finally, across bottom of the screen, players my select from "Forget Login Info?", "Create New Account", and "Play as Guest".
Miscellaneous
- Card Detail View
- For the Windows PC client, detail about a given card is available to the player by right clicking on the card. During matches, a much larger image of the card is displayed. When opening a new Booster pack or Theme deck or when using the Deck Manager and Trade, players are presented with a card interface similar to the Collection viewer, which displays how many total copies of that card the player already has in their collection and what number of these cards are tradeable or locked. Players can also mark the cards "For Trade", "Wanted", and "For Review". When opening Booster packs and Theme decks, this is often the only way to see this additional card information.
- Full Screen/Window Display
- For the Windows PC client, players may switch between a full screen display and a window display by using the following keyboard key combination: hold down the Alt key and then press the Enter key. For the Mac client, hold down the Command key then press the Enter key. Display issues may arise when not playing the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online inside a full screen.
- Match Inactivity
- Players must remain actively engaged in matches with other online players in Versus Mode or Tournament Mode. Discussions in the Social menu's "Game Chat" do not count toward player activity. Players should be considerate of the time invested not only by themselves but also their opponents. If the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online determines that players are inactive too long, it will display a 15 second warning. Ignoring the warning causes players to lose matches. This activity mechanism is designed to help insure players do not take advantage of another player.
- Minimum Playtime Requirement
- During Versus Mode Random Battle and Tournament Mode matches against other online players, Trainer Token and Bonus Wheel rewards are earned if matches lasts at least 2 minutes (5 minutes prior to the April 3, 2014 update).[8] This minimum amount of time was increased with the December 22, 2014 update for players forfeiting matches early (actively leaving a match, remaining inactive for an extended period of time, or not taking at least one Prize card) back to 5 minutes while guaranteeing rewards for players whose opponent forfeits matches regardless of the amount of time that passed.[9] This change was designed to discourage players for only playing long enough to earn Trainer Token and Bonus Wheel rewards.
- Loss of Internet Connection
- During online player versus player matches in Versus Mode or Tournament Mode, if players lose their Internet connection, they have 5 minutes to log back into the game before their opponents are declared the winner. When the Internet connection is lost by an opponent, players are notified with a pop-up message.
Player level
"Player level" strictly corresponds to player progress in the Daily Challenge reward system. It should not be confused with "Player rank", which is related to player versus player Random Battles or Tournament matches. Successful completion of challenges earns players Experience Points (or XP) that are applied to a specific Energy type related to a given challenge. Players eventually earn levels (Levels 0 to 3) for each Energy type. Earning Energy type levels increases overall Player level. Every players starts at Player level 0 (zero). Higher Player level grants greater flexibility in completing Daily Challenges.
Player level Available Challenges Total Active Challenges NOTES 0 to 2 1 1 Players receive one Daily Challenge option per day and may pursue one Daily Challenge at a time. 3 to 4 2 1 Players choose one of two Daily Challenges per day and may pursue one Daily Challenge at a time. 5 to 7 2 2 Players choose one of two Daily Challenges per day and may pursue up to two Daily Challenges at a time. 8 to 9 3 2 Players choose one of three Daily Challenges per day and may pursue up to two Daily Challenges at a time. 10 or more 3 3 Players choose one of three Daily Challenges per day and may pursue up to three Daily Challenges at a time.
Player rank
Little is known about the specific mechanics of the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online's "Player rank" system or exactly when and why players are identified to have an "Advantage" in a Random Battle or Tournament match. The ranking system appears to be based on specific player deck history instead of overall player history. A separate matchmaking system for the Theme Deck format Play type was implemented in Versus Mode so that player history with Theme Decks format would not directly translate over to other Play type formats.[10]
Based on the ranking system, players with an "Advantage" are not always identified during a match. However, if Pokémon Trading Card Game Online does and the player without the "Advantage" wins the match, the winning player earns 2 Trainer Tokens. The ranking system is also used to help match players of similar experience during player versus player Random Battle matches. The Player rank system is more effective matching players during high player active and less effective when fewer players are looking to play a Random Battle against other online player. "Player rank" should not be confused with "Player level", which is related to the Daily Challenge reward system.
Versus Points
Versus Points allow players to advance along the Versus Ladder reward system. Players earn 10 Versus Points for every match they win in Versus Mode and an additional 5 Versus Points when the win against an opponent with the advantage.
The following are features still unavailable worldwide:
- Gems (Canada only)
Retired game features
The Pokémon Trading Card Game Online has been in continual development since its initial inception. Often updates involve the addition of new rules and card as new expansion sets are released, the resolution of program errors, player interface changes improving usability, and the addition or re-addition of new game features. Occasionally, updates to the game involve the removal of previously existing game features.
Achievements | ||||||
The Achievements reward system was another feature retired on March 25, 2015,[11] though it had not been actively updated for some time prior to its retirement. Players earned Achievements for completing various tasks. These Achievements had no special effect on the game. Pokémon Trading Card Game Online has announced the intention to reward players who completed a significant number of Achievements before it was retired with special card sleeve(s) to commemorate given Achievements. Specific details are not yet known.
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Booster Credits |
| This former in-game Currency was originally used with Redemption code cards found in physical Booster packs. Booster Credits could be redeemed for Booster packs of the player’s choice in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online from HeartGold & SoulSilver through Boundaries Crossed expansions. This Redemption code card method ended with the release of the Plasma Storm expansion when codes from a specific expansion Booster pack became redeemable for a virtual version of that specific Booster pack.[12] The Booster Credit system officially ended on July 1, 2013.[13] From July 2013 to December 2013, players with Booster Credits redeemed before July 2013 could redeem these credits for any pack from Next Destinies to Boundaries Crossed expansions. Players who still had Booster Credits after the February 7, 2014 update automatically had any remained credits redeemed for Boundaries Crossed Booster packs. |
Diamond League |
| A higher difficulty, fourth "Diamond League" existed in the Trainer Challenge prior to the February 7, 2014 update. |
Practice Battle |
| Practice Battle was originally an Opponent type in Versus Mode found under Ranked Battle. This mode allowed players to practice using their chosen deck against another randomly selected player. These matches did not count toward player Player rank or earn Trainer Tokens or Bonus Wheel spins. The Practice Battle option was retired on March 25, 2015. |
Professor Tutorials |
| The original dedicated set of tutorials taught by the Professor in the original browser-based release of the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online were never transferred to the downloadable version of the game, though a new set of in-game Tutorials has since been added to the beginning of the game for first time players. The original tutorials continue to exist as a stand-alone browser-based program found on the Trading Card Game section of the Pokémon.com website. |
Ranked Battle |
| The Ranked Battle option was folded directly into "Random Battle" in Versus Mode with the March 25, 2015 update after the removal of Practice Battle option rather than "Random Battle" being one of two options under "Ranked Battle". |
Tournament Keys |
| Early expectation for the Tournament Mode envisioned Tournament Keys as the in-game Currency used to access special Tournament events. Tournament Keys were never implemented in open beta testing, which instead utilized Event Tickets.[14] |
History
The Pokémon Trading Card Game Online was originally released on March 24, 2011[15] as a browser-based game. The game was subsequently redesigned as a downloadable game utilizing the Unity (game engine),[16] and relauched on May 15, 2012 for PC,[17] on November 5, 2012 for Mac,[18][19] and on September 30, 2014 for iPad.[20] The original browser-based version continued to function until August 8, 2012.[21] Development continues on the downloadable version even after it officially emerged from open beta testing in February 2015.[22] Additionally, some early features have also been retired or removed from the game.
The reprogramming and relaunch of the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online[23] initially required the removal all game features except for the Trainer Challenge[24] and the now retired Achievements reward system.[25][26] Other features were gradually readded or added over time:
- Avatar Creator — While rudimentary Avatar options (4 male and 4 female) were reintroduced on June 12, 2012,[27] true functionality was not reintroduced until the June 20, 2013 update.[28]
- Collection viewer, Deck Manager, Social menu, and Player Profile — Reintroduced on August 21, 2012.[29]
- Versus Mode — Also reintroduced on August 21, 2012 and Deck formats introduced on December 12, 2012.[30]
- In-game Shop — Also reintroducted on August 21, 2012 (initially allowing for just Code Redemption and Booster pack purchases through the now retired Booster Credit system)[31] with the current Gems system added on April 19, 2013[32][33] and the Trainer Token system on July 25, 2013.[34]
- Trade interface — Reintroduced with the October 24, 2012 update.[35]
- Daily Login Bonus and Daily Match Bonus reward systems — Introduced on January 16, 2013 as two parallel reward systems.[36] Both were temporarily retired on March 25, 2015 in favor of the new Daily Challenge reward system, but the Daily Match Bonus was subsequently reintroduced on April 23, 2015[37] and the Daily Login Bonus on June 2, 2015.[38]
- Booster pack, Exclusive TCGO 5-card — Introduced with the July 25, 2013 update.[39]
- Player rank — "Advantage" notification feature added on October 2, 2013.[40]
- "Play as a Guest" option — Introduced in October 2013.[41]
- Player Interface overhaul — Substantial changes to the game interface began in mid-2013[42][43][44] and continued to early 2014,[45][46][47] which allowed for the introduction of the touchscreen based iPad client in September 2014.[48] A streamlining of the overall Game menu navigation system was introduced on July 14, 2015.[49]
- Tournament Mode — Introduced for testing with the March 27, 2014 update[50][51][52][53] with occasional trial Tournament special events until it officially premiered on February 5, 2015[54] and continuously running tournaments on February 24, 2015.[55]
- Bonus Wheel and Mystery Box — Added with the June 24, 2014 update,[56][57] while the February 4, 2015 update split the Bonus Wheel into a Victor's and a Loser's Bonus Wheel.[58]
- Tutorials Mode — Two match based Tutorials added on August 14, 2014.[59] Five additional Tutorials with XY Basic Yellow Starter Theme Deck and Tutorial Reward Ladder added on July 14, 2015.[60]
- Pokémon Trainer Club — Added ability for players to register for a Pokémon Trainer Club account from within the game on September 3, 2014.[61]
- Daily Challenge — Implemented on March 25, 2015 replacing the briefly retired Daily Login Bonus and Daily Match Bonus and retired Achievements reward systems.[62] The June 2, 2015 update reduced the requirements for Evolution challenges by ½ and Knock Out challenges by 10, replaced challenges with a "Play Basic Pokémon" completion requirement to a "Do damage to opposing Pokémon" requirement, and temporarily removed all challenges with Special Condition completion requirements.
- Special Challenges and Tournament Chests — Implemented with the May 6, 2015 update.[63]
- Versus Ladder — Introduced on July 14, 2015 to complement the other existing Reward systems.[64][65]
In other languages
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See also
External links
- Pokémon Trading Card Game Online
- Download Pokémon Trading Card Game Online
- Pokémon Trading Card Game Online official forums
- Step-by-step Web Browser TCG tutorials
References
- ↑ Tournament Rotation Refined — March 31, 2015
- ↑ Daily Challenge Details — Clocks, Levels and More - April 3, 2015
- ↑ Tournament Chests/Special Challenges — May 6, 2015
- ↑ Booster pack bundle, XY 4 Booster Pack Bundle with Krookodile-EX — April 1, 2015
- ↑ Shop rotation, Development Update: Tournaments, Shop and Next Game Update — March 13, 2015
- ↑ Making it Easier to Get the Cards You Want - News & Announcements - Pokémon TCG Online Forums
- ↑ New Trainer Challenge scoring system — April 23, 2013
- ↑ Minimum PvP match time/Daily Login Bonus, 2.18.1.402 Hotfix Notes | April 3, 2014
- ↑ PvP match forfeiting, 2.25.0.1042 Patch Notes | December 17, 2014
- ↑ Theme Deck format & Player rank – 2.29 Patch Notes | July 14, 2015
- ↑ Feature Retirement, 2.27 Patch Notes | March 25, 2015
- ↑ Booster Credit, 1.0.94 Patch Notes | February 6, 2013
- ↑ Booster Credit Sunsetting—Phase II — May 31, 2013
- ↑ Tournament Keys, 2013 March Community Update — March 28, 2013
- ↑ Web-based, Pokémon Trading Card Game Online announcements — February 25 & March 23, 2011
- ↑ Unity Game Engine, 2012 April Community Update — April 27, 2012
- ↑ TCGO Beta Release for PC, Build Notes — May 15, 2012
- ↑ TCGO Beta Release for Mac, 2012 October Community Update — October 27, 2012
- ↑ TCGO Beta Release for Mac, 2012 Patch notes for 11/16 — November 17, 2012
- ↑ TCGO Release, The Pokémon TCG Online Comes to iPad! — September 30, 2014
- ↑ Web-based Pokemon TCG Online now offline — August 8, 2012
- ↑ End of Open Beta, September 2014 Community Update — September 25, 2014
- ↑ Relaunch, 2012 March Community Update — March 30, 2012
- ↑ Initial features, New Trainer Challenge build heads up — May 11, 2012
- ↑ Achievements, Build Notes | May 15, 2012
- ↑ Achievements, State of the Game | May 21, 2012
- ↑ Avatar Creator, Build Notes | June 12, 2012
- ↑ Avatar Creator, 2013 June Community Update — June 29, 2013
- ↑ Many features reintroduced, 2012 July Community Update — July 24, 2012
- ↑ Versus Mode, 1.0.71 Build Notes | December 12, 2012
- ↑ in-game Shop, Notes for Build 1.0.10.21 — August 21, 2012
- ↑ Gems, 1.8.0 Patch Notes | April 18, 2013
- ↑ Gems, 2013 April Community Update — April 25, 2013
- ↑ Trainer Tokens, 1.11.18 Patch Notes | July 25, 2013
- ↑ Trading, 1.0.42 Build Notes | October 23, 2012
- ↑ Daily Bonuses, 1.0.84 Build Notes | January 16, 2013
- ↑ Daily Match Bonus, Server Update | April 23, 2015
- ↑ Daily Login Bonus, 2.28.1 Patch Notes | June 2, 2015
- ↑ 5-card Booster pack, 2013 July Community Update — July 31, 2013
- ↑ Player rank, 1.13.27 Patch Notes | October 3, 2013
- ↑ Play as a Guest, 2013 October Community Update — November 1, 2013
- ↑ Interface changes, 2013 July Community Update — July 31, 2013
- ↑ Interface changes, 2013 September Community Update — October 2, 2013
- ↑ Interface changes, 2013 November Community Update — November 28, 2013
- ↑ Interface changes, January 2014 Community Update — January 9, 2014
- ↑ Interface changes, 2.17.239 | February 5, 2014
- ↑ Interface changes, 2.18.0.380 Patch Notes | March 27, 2014
- ↑ Interface changes & iPad, September 2014 Community Update — September 25, 2014
- ↑ Dev Update: Versus Rewards, New Layout & Stomped Bugs — July 14, 2015
- ↑ Tournament Mode, February 2014 Community Update — March 1, 2014
- ↑ Tournament Mode, 2.18.0.380 Patch Notes | March 27, 2014
- ↑ Tournaments Alpha Testing Status Update — April 11, 2014
- ↑ Tournament Mode, April 2014 Community Update — May 1, 2014
- ↑ The Clash of Magma vs. Aqua - The very first Pokémon TCG Online tournament event! — February 4, 2015
- ↑ Play Tournaments! On-demand — February 24, 2015
- ↑ Give the Bonus Wheel a Spin! — June 25, 2014
- ↑ Mystery Box contents updates — July 28, 2014
- ↑ Bonus Wheel, 2.26 Patch Notes | February 4, 2015
- ↑ Tutorials, 2.22.0.755 Patch Notes | August 13, 2014
- ↑ New Tutorial and XY Basic Yellow Deck in Version 2.29 — July 14, 2015
- ↑ Pokémon Trainer Club, 2.23.0.822 Patch Notes | September 3, 2014
- ↑ Daily Challenge Details – Achievements and Daily Login — March 24, 2015
- ↑ Special Challenges/Tournament Chests, 2.28 Patch Notes | May 6, 2015
- ↑ Dev Update: Refining Rewards and Coming Features — June 5, 2015
- ↑ Earn Versus Points for Victories! — July 14, 2015
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This article is part of both Project Sidegames and Project TCG, Bulbapedia projects that, together, aim to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon Sidegames and TCG, respectively. | 
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