'Pokémon TCG Pocket's' Deluxe Pack Leaves Players Confused Despite Big Promise

"Pokémon TCG Pocket" has seen the arrival of the Deluxe Pack, an ex booster pack, which will allow players to catch up on the cards brought out over the last year, as well as pick up alternate versions and even some new releases.

On paper, the idea is a winner for collectors and casual players alike. Yet just how the system works in practice has created confusion, frustration, and a lot of questions that have gone unanswered.

What's Inside the Deluxe Pack Booster?

'Pokémon TCG Pocket’s' Deluxe Pack Leaves Players Confused Despite Big

The key point is the registration of cards from the Deluxe booster within the game. The set contains 353 positions to fill in the Deluxe Dex, excluding one-star cards and above.

Most of these cards are found in Pocket's previous sets, but even if players have previously drawn them somewhere else, their positions in the Deluxe Dex are open until drawn again from a Deluxe booster.

That translates into duplicate pulls being inevitable. For instance, if you hold a card from the initial expansion, it will not be included in your Deluxe Dex unless you re-pick it up in a Deluxe pack. This system makes collecting less enjoyable than rewarding for those who've spent time and money on finishing previous expansions.

The Core Problem: Empty Slots in Other Sets

The Gamer discovered the thing that angered players the most. That is when the cards drawn from Deluxe boosters do not occupy empty slots in their respective expansions. They will instead only contribute to the Deluxe Dex. When you draw a card such as Growlithe from the Genetic Apex set via a Deluxe pack, the card will show up in your Deluxe Dex but will leave its slot in Genetic Apex empty.

While the card can still be viewed by tapping the empty slot, if you've pulled it elsewhere, players can't rely on Deluxe packs to complete their existing Dex collections. For collectors aiming for full completion, this undermines the entire purpose of the new booster.

What Did the Creators Say About the Deluxe Pack Issue

The creators of "Pokémon TCG Pocket" have recognized the misunderstanding and released a quick clarification. They assured that the Deluxe pack pulls only fill the Deluxe Dex and not the regular expansion Dex. Yet, this clarification has not comforted gamers, as numerous players continue to believe the design makes the pack unnecessary.

Clumping cards from various expansions into a single booster might have been an effective solution for catch-up players, but the implementation makes sets appear incomplete. For completists who cherish full set completion, the Deluxe pack is more of a short-term band-aid than a significant addition.

The concept of the Deluxe Pack: ex booster was lofty: to combine classic and new cards in a single set to make collecting easier. However, how it breaks collections between Dexe makes it less satisfying. Many players will view the pack as more daunting than beneficial unless the creators resolve this.