Pokémon TCG Players on the Brink of Rioting Over One Infuriating Rule

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is a mobile-friendly adaptation of the iconic card game. While it's billed as a more accessible, streamlined experience, there's one contentious rules change that has players up in arms - and demanding change.

The main issue centers around the 'going first' mechanic, a fundamental part of the traditional Pokémon Trading Card Game. In the original game, players usually determine who goes first by flipping a coin. But the mobile version operates under a different framework, incorporating a mechanism that randomly selects which player starts the match. While this may not sound like a drastic change on the surface, mobile players argue it skews the balance of the match, rendering the rest of their strategy obsolete.

Per the current rule, the initiative-holding player who goes first receives a marked advantage over the opposing player, to the point of essentially crippling the opponent's ability to engage the deck on their very first draw. It may look negligible at first, but those who've spent considerable time in the mobile Pocket meta affirm that this means for whoever starts the match basically translates to getting off scot-free. Decks of such overwhelming superiority become all too real when left with some critical cards already played since the opening bell rings.

This setup affects Pocket as most competitive decks generally offer an immediate positive impact as they open the game. By contrast, the opponent starting second can't do anything in this timeframe. All told, the going first gamer basically sets off on advantage mode without players ever getting meaningful interplay regarding who has the best cards or the option for strategy.

Pokémon players are voicing their discontent about the rules through online forums. Game developer Creatures Inc. remains noticeably quiet so far, even though the debate over this rule has not died down since the launch.

Ultimately, Pokémon TCG Pocket attempts to speed up a traditionally drawn-out game. Some advantages with the going first ruling give players an added advantage like the opportunity to concede more quickly. And, developers will at some point need to intervene and make significant strides towards fixing the balancing issues in the game.

It now remains to be seen if the ongoing backlash surrounding the going first rule in Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket will trigger another review of developer Creatures Inc.