Pokémon TCG Pocket Beginner's Guide: Genetic Apex Edition

Last updated on: Nov 14, 2024

Pokémon TCG Pocket brings fresh new cards and gameplay to the classic Pokémon Trading Card Game, offering a whole new experience. If you're just starting out, it can be tricky figuring out the best strategies and how to manage your resources. This beginner's guide is here to help you make the most of your early game and build a solid deck without wasting resources, especially if you're playing for free-to-play (f2p) content.

Getting Started with Pokémon TCG Pocket

When you start the game, you'll pick from three booster packs that each give you a unique deck to begin with. Don't worry—the cards in each pack are the same each time, so your decision will only affect the deck you start with.

We recommend the Mewtwo pack because it gives you a strong deck, especially for missions, and it has a guaranteed Bulbasaur. You can also choose the Charizard pack for its powerful Exeggutor ex card, which fits well in a Venusaur ex deck.

After that, you'll dive into missions, make your first Wonder Pick, and start opening booster packs. Early on, you'll earn a lot of Pack Hourglasses, which let you open more packs. This helps you level up fast and get even more Hourglasses, so you'll be able to open plenty of packs in no time.

Best Booster Packs in TCG Pocket

Each booster pack contains specific cards plus a random set of common cards. Here's a breakdown of the best decks you can build from the different packs in Genetic Apex:

  • Charizard Pack: Build a Charizard Moltres deck, a Starmie deck, or an Exeggutor deck.
  • Pikachu Pack: Create a powerful Pikachu ex deck.
  • Mewtwo Pack: Build a Mewtwo ex deck, a Venusaur ex deck, or a Marowak deck.

How to Open More Booster Packs

The easiest way to open more booster packs is by completing missions. You'll earn Pack Hourglasses from both Beginner and Advanced missions, so don't forget to complete those as you play.

You can also earn resources by battling in Solo Mode. There are three difficulty levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced, plus an Expert mode with tougher AI decks. Be sure to collect shop tickets by completing additional in-game challenges like dealing a certain amount of damage or playing a deck that's strong against the AI.

Rental Decks can help you in battles. These decks, available from certain packs, can be used to complete challenges. They're good for quickly filling gaps in your deck and earning more resources.

When to Stop Opening a Certain Booster Pack

If you've opened several packs and already pulled a couple of chase cards, the value of opening more from that pack starts to drop. You'll get duplicates, which can be converted into shinedust for cosmetics, but it's better to focus your resources elsewhere.

Instead of wasting resources, you can switch to a different booster pack, or check the Wonder Pick board to get specific cards you need. Pack Points also let you craft any card you want, but save these for emergencies or when you reach the Pack Point cap (2,500 points = 500 opened packs).

The key takeaway: Open booster packs when they offer new, useful cards, and consider saving your resources for later once you've built the deck you want.

The Best Cards to Collect

In TCGs, certain cards are staples because they work well in almost any deck. Here are a few top picks in Pokémon TCG Pocket:

  • Poké Ball: The only Trainer card that lets you search for a Pokémon and add it to your hand.
  • Professor's Research: A staple that helps you cycle through your deck and find the cards you need.
  • Potion: Heals your Pokémon and can swing the tempo of the game in your favor.
  • X Speed: Allows you to retreat your Pokémon, keeping them safe from being knocked out.
  • Sabrina: Disrupts your opponent's strategy and can force a knockout by forcing a weak Pokémon into play.
  • Giovanni: Adds extra damage to finish off your opponent's Pokémon.

Be sure to open packs, collect cards, and use Pack Points to complete your decks. There are plenty of other useful Supporters and Pokémon for specific strategies, so it's worth checking out deck guides and archetypes as you progress.

Conclusion

Pokémon TCG Pocket is a great way to enjoy the Pokémon TCG with a fresh twist. By following this guide, you'll be able to build strong decks, open booster packs strategically, and collect the best cards to make your Pokémon team unstoppable. Have fun, and good luck in your battles!