More Than Combat, Coin Tosses Seem to Be the Main Reason Why Players Are Winning Matches in Pokemon TCG Pocket

Players may be extremely hesitant to take the first turn in battles due to some of the changes made to Pokemon TCG Pocket compared to the original TCG. The original tabletop game’s battle system, which enables much faster matches, differs significantly from the mobile game’s.

Nonetheless, some of the rule changes appear to have been deliberately designed to make people fear what would otherwise seem to be a favorable position.

Coin Toss Is the Main Factor in Pokemon TCG Pocket

Pokemon TCG Pocket emphasizes card collecting and offers a simplified fighting experience, in contrast to Pokemon TCG Live, which is a much more accurate digital version of the TCG. Given that Pokemon TCG Pocket has already made millions of dollars in a matter of days, it is not surprising that the game has become incredibly popular.

The new mobile game isn’t flawless, though; in addition to failing to fix a long-standing Pokemon TCG problem with its battle system, it may have created new issues of its own with the modifications made to its mechanics.

Every Pokemon TCG game, regardless of format, starts with a coin toss to decide who goes first. Pokemon TCG Pocket, in contrast to the original TCG, does not give the player who wins this flip the option of going first or second. Winning instead ensures that one plays first, which has a big disadvantage these days.

Why deal damage when you can just flip a coin
byu/jarheadrox00 inPTCGP

Going first may now be a significant disadvantage due to gameplay changes made to Pokemon TCG Pocket‘s battles, in addition to the player losing the strategic advantage of choosing play order. However, if you Misty card, then it doesn’t matter if you win or lose the toss.

Winning the Toss Means You Are Already Behind Your Opponent

Going first in Pokemon TCG Pocket usually prevents a player from carrying out a number of crucial actions during their first turn. All of this is because, unlike their opponent, this player will not be able to attach an Energy from the Energy Zone during this turn.

Naturally, even when using some of Genetic Apex’s best cards, the consequences of missing this Energy on turn one can cause serious issues in battle. For any player, failing to attach an Energy on turn one could spell disaster because it could mean the difference between winning and losing.

I know this aint just me
byu/thebuyinking inPTCGP

Due to the restriction, the player who starts first has less energy available to fuel attacks than their opponent, and this is likely to stay the case for the rest of the game. A player who “loses” the coin toss will always have one extra Energy available, though different card effects can help to close this gap.

The game may be impacted by this energy imbalance in a number of ways. The Energy Zone’s output, for instance, indicates that the player who lost the coin flip will be able to attack first on their second turn if both players have an Active Pokémon that requires two Energy to attack.

Assuming that this initial encounter was insufficient to knock out their own Pokemon, the player who goes first will only get their second Energy for a counterattack on their third turn.