My 2020 was off to a rough start. Well, okay everyone’s was, but mine was for different reasons.
I had graduated from college the previous May and was unable to find work in my field - the typical Millennial/Gen Z narrative. I was making some money writing for various publications, but all that money lumped together was nowhere near sustainable. I was stuck at home and nowhere near as financially independent as I wanted to be. Life felt stagnant- hopeless even - and I began to gravitate towards activities that didn’t require me to spend copious amounts of money and made me forget about my woes. Let’s be honest: gaming isn’t exactly a cheap hobby.
So when I found out about Pokémon TCG Online, I was skeptical - there had to be some strings attached. There’s no way that I could play this game entirely for free.
Thankfully, the game gives you some starter decks that are exactly what they’re meant to be. These decks are great training wheels for new players getting acclimated to the game. You eventually earn more cards by regularly logging in and playing the game. You also slowly accumulate coins this way which can be used to purchase decks and booster packs.
My initial tenure with Pokémon TCG was in elementary school. Kids are idiots sometimes, and my friends and I were no different. We thought the artwork on the cards looked rad, so we often traded them amongst ourselves (yeah, I was that dummy that traded away a Wailord GX card, leave me alone) and created our own rules and devised entirely new games with our collections. This is a long-winded way of admitting that I never learned how to play the TCG properly.
So how does Pokémon TCG Online work? You get a nice, long tutorial that teaches you the principles of playing the game and you can use your new skills to challenge AI trainers - or real trainers if you’re confident enough. There are three kinds of cards in a deck: Pokémon cards which represent, well, Pokémon and are equipped with movesets to help your bench and hinder/damage your opponent.
But Pokémon cards are just thin pieces of cardboard without the use of Energy cards. Energy cards represent the 11 types available in the game and are used to power a Pokémon card’s moves. The third kind of card, Trainer cards, are used to aid you or deter your opponent in battle. The best thing about the game is that you’re not limited to one task per turn like in the main game series. You can attach one Energy card to your benched or active Pokémon and use unlimited Trainer cards before making a move. Be careful, though, as your turn is over once you select a move.
The Tolarian Community College Youtube Channel describes the Pokémon TCG as “Magic: The Gathering Lite” in their “How to Play Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) Learn To Play In Less Than 15 Minutes!” video. The game is based on the same principles as Magic but more simplified. Success in the game is contingent on executive planning and luck.
One of the TCG’s biggest strengths lies in its accessibility. Pokémon TCG Online is free-to-play. Even collecting physical copies of the cards isn’t too hard - the Rebel Clash Zacian and Zamazenta-themed decks are only $12.99 on the PokémonCenter website. Cards may not substitute a virtual game, but it’s a worthy investment if you’re in a financial pinch.
I wasn’t able to get Sword & Shield when they were first released due to the aforementioned financial woes. I’m in a better position right now, but sometimes I like to break out my virtual cards and engage in a quick round.
Because who doesn’t love a good card game?
