Pokemon 2017 Standard Format Rotation

I just logged into Pokemon TCG Online this afternoon and was prompted with this message:

When I looked in the Pokemon TCG Online shop, I noticed that I could no longer buy older Booster Packs just as the message stated:

Lastly, I decided to check out this link to review the reason for removing these older Booster Packs:  http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/pokemon-tcg-format-rotation-for-2017/


Therefore, these MAJOR Expansion Sets have been removed:

• XY
• XY-Flashfire
• XY-Furious Fists
• XY-Phantom Forces
• Black & White-Legendary Treasures
• Black & White-Plasma Storm
• Black & White-Plasma Freeze
• Black & White-Plasma Blast

If you are playing with Standard Format decks in Pokemon TCG Online, this will affect which decks are valid for gameplay, but this also affects which decks you can build in the FUTURE (even in the Expanded Format) as well since you will no longer be able to acquire these Booster Packs from the Pokemon TCG Online Shop!!

Pokemon Championship Decks

If you play Pokemon TCG, you may know that the Pokemon World Championships just completed this year and the Championship decks have now been published online for your review!

Here are the World Champions for Pokemon TCG this year: http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/meet-the-pokemon-tcg-world-champions/

You can see the Championship Decks that were used that won the World Championships this year: http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/decks/masters/#deck-shintaro-ito-mega-audino-ex-masters-division

Displaying Pokemon TCG Online in Full Screen Mode on Windows

If you want to display Pokemon TCG Online in Full Screen mode on Windows, you can do that simply by pressing Alt + Enter!

This will toggle  Pokemon TCG Online between Full Screen mode and Windowed mode.

That is all there is to it!

Challenging a friend in Pokemon TCG Online

If you ever want to challenge to a friend to a match in Pokemon TCG Online, it is not readily obvious on just how to accomplish that!

The way to do this is quite simple though!

Simply go into your list of Friends and click on the icon to "Challenge Friend to a Game"

Once the Challenge has been accepted, you will be able to select one of your Pokemon Decks to use for your battle:

You will then be able to battle you friend in Pokemon TCG Online!

However, unlike normal Versus battles, battling your friend is only for entertainment purposes and does not offer any rewards in the form of Coins, Tournament Tickets or Booster Packs as when you are playing on the normal Versus ladder! :-(

Oh well....

Pokemon Trainer Cards to have in EVERY deck

I have been playing Pokemon TCG Online for the past few months and after playing numerous games I have come up with a list of Pokemon Trainer cards that I put in each and every one of my decks without fail.

Below is the list:

1. Pokemon Fan Club or Brigette
2. Professor's Letter
3. Energy Retrieval
4. Fisherman
5. Pokemon Center Lady
6. Potion
7. Lucky Helmet
8. Evosoda
9. Switch
10. Cheren or Tierno
11. Team Flare Grunt
12. Lysandre
13. Town Map
14. VS Seeker
15. Professor Birch's Observations, Professor Sycamore, N or Shauna
16. Cilan
17. Level Ball or Heavy Ball
18. Revive, Max Revive or Rescue Scarf
19. Fighting Fury Belt or Muscle Band
20. At least 1 Stadium card depending on the Pokemon Deck type

Pokemon EXes in the Fates Collide Expansion Set

If you are looking for the list of Pokemon EXes in the Fates Collide Expansion Set, you can find the full list here: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Fates_Collide_(TCG)

• Delphox BREAK
• Omastar BREAK
• Glaceon EX
• Alakazam EX
• Mega Alakazam EX
• Regirock EX
• Carbink BREAK
• Zygarde EX
• Umbreon EX
• Bronzong BREAK
• Genesect EX
• Altaria EX
• Mega Altaria EX
• Diancie EX
• Kingdra EX
• Lugia BREAK
• Audino EX
• Mega Audino EX

Pokemon EXes in BREAKpoint Expansion Set

If you are looking for the list of Pokemon EXes in the BREAKpoint Expansion Set, you can find the full list here: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/BREAKpoint_(TCG)

• Emboar EX
• Golduck BREAK
• Gyarados EX
• Mega Gyarados EX
• Palkia EX
• Manaphy EX
• Greninja BREAK
• Luxray BREAK
• Espeon EX
• Trevenant BREAK
• Darkrai EX
• Scizor EX
• Mega Scizor EX
• Togekiss EX
• Raticate BREAK
• Ho-Oh EX

Pokemon EXes in Furious Fists Expansion Set

If you are looking for the list of Pokemon EXes in the Furious Fists Expansion Set, you can find the full list here: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Furious_Fists_%28TCG%29

•  Heracross EX
• Mega Heracross EX
• Seismitoad EX
• Lucario EX
• Mega Lucario EX
• Hawlucha EX
• Dragonite EX

Pokemon EXes in Black & White Legendary Treasures Expansion Set

If you are looking for the Pokemon EXes that are in the Black & White Legendary Treasures Expansion Set, you can find the full list here: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Legendary_Treasures_%28TCG%29

• Victini EX
• Reshiram EX
• Kyurem EX
• Keldeo EX
• Zekrom EX
• Mewtwo EX
• Chandelure EX
• Excadrill EX
• Darkrai EX
• Black Kyurem EX
• White Kyurem EX
• Lugia EX
• Mew EX
• Shaymin EX

Pokemon EXes in Ancient Origins Expansion Set

If you are wondering what Pokemon EXes are available in the Ancient Origins Expansion Set, you can check out the list here: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Ancient_Origins_%28TCG%29

• Sceptile EX
• Mega Sceptile EX
• Kyurem EX
• Ampharos EX
• Mega Ampharos EX
• Hoopa EX
• Machamp EX
• Tyranitar EX
• Mega Tyrantiar EX
• Giratina EX
• Lugia EX

Pokemon EXes in Primal Clash Expansion Set

If you are wondering what Pokemon EXes are in the Primal Clash Expansion Set, you can find the listing here: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Primal_Clash_%28TCG%29

• Trevenant EX
• Camerupt EX
• Wailord EX
• Kyogre EX
• Mega Primal Kyogre EX
• Groudon EX
• Mega Primal Groudon EX
• Sharpedo EX
• Aggron EX
• Mega Aggron EX
• Gardevoir EX
• Mega Gardevoir EX

Pokemon EXes in BREAKthrough Expansion Set

If you want to know which Pokemon EXes and BREAK evolution cards are available as part of the BREAKthrough Expansion set, you can check that out here: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/BREAKthrough_%28TCG%29

• Chesnaught BREAK
• Houndoom EX
• Mega Houndoom EX
• Glalie EX
• Mega Glalie EX
• Raichu BREAK
• Mewtwo EX
• Mega Mewto EX
• Marowak BREAK
• Zoroark BREAK
• Noivern BREAK
• Florges BREAK

Pokemon EXes in Phantom Forces Expansion Set

If you are wondering what Pokemon EXes are available in the Phantom Forces Expansion Set, you can check out the Bulbapedia article: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Phantom_Forces_%28TCG%29

The EXes available in this Expansion Set are the following:

• Manectric EX
• Mega Manectric EX
• Gengar EX
• Mega Gengar EX
• Malamar EX
• Dialga EX
• Aegislash EX
• Florges EX

Pokemon TCG Online Settings for Parents

If you are setting up your child with a Pokemon TCG Online account, you may be wondering what settings are available to control when your child plays Pokemon Online.  Fortunately, the number of settings that you can control for your child are quite extensive!

Below are screenshots of the settings that are available to configure for your child:

As you can see from above, you can control most important settings in the Pokemon TCG Online game for your child!

Pokemon TCG Online Booster Packs

If you are wondering what booster packs are available in the Pokemon TCG Online Shop, these are the currently available Booster Packs:

• Flashfire
• XY
• Furious Fists
• Roaring Skies
• Primal Clash
• Breakthrough
• Ancient Origins
• Breakpoint
• Fates Collide

Now of course, you may be wondering what Pokemon cards are in each of these associated booster packs as well!

Fortunately, Bulbapedia has these fully documented!

• Flashfire:  http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Flashfire_%28TCG%29
• XY: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/XY_%28TCG%29
• Furious Fists: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Furious_Fists_%28TCG%29
• Roaring Skies: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Roaring_Skies_%28TCG%29 
• Primal Clash: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Primal_Clash_%28TCG%29 
• Breakthrough: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/BREAKthrough_%28TCG%29 
• Ancient Origins: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Ancient_Origins_%28TCG%29 
• Breakpoint: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/BREAKpoint_%28TCG%29 
• Fates Collide: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Fates_Collide_%28TCG%29

Pokemon TCG Online on Windows 10

If you are playing Pokemon TCG Online on Windows 10, then you may encounter numerous problems with reliability on this platform.

One of the most common problems that you may encounter on the Windows 10 platform is frequent crashing.

Unfortunately, the Pokemon TCG application still remains HIGHLY UNSTABLE on the Windows 10 platform and is subject to crashing at any moment.

Some of the more common instances I have encountered with crashing of the Pokemon TCG application are the following:

• While playing Rika in the City Championship Trainer Challenge
• While playing any Versus matches
• After playing a Versus match and then receiving an additional reward

This scenario is extremely common while playing Pokemon TCG Online:

In addition, Pokemon TCG Online also frequently loses connectivity to the application and you will suddenly be presented with an icon in the lower right hand corner indicating reduced network connectivity.  This may result in complete disconnectivity from the match, a lock up or freeze up during your turn or a complete freeze of the entire match!

Needless to say the Pokemon TCG application is ridden with problems on the Windows 10 platform. Despite numerous frequent updates, there is no way to determine when these issues will be resolved, but if you are lucky, you might still be able to get a few hours of reliable playing time.

At least with the most recent Fates Collide update, the application seems much more stable on Windows 10 than earlier releases of the Pokemon TCG application.

Playing Pokemon TCG Online

If you want to play Pokemon TCG Online, then you have to go no further than to download the Game Installer from here: http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/play-online/download/

Pokemon TCG Online currently supports Windows, Mac and iPad.  Unfortunately, there is no support for Android-based devices at this time.

Playing Pokemon TCG Online is COMPLETELY FREE!  However, for a household with children, a parent needs to first set up an account from here: https://sso.pokemon.com/sso/login?locale=en&service=https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-trainer-club/caslogin

The parent can set up as many accounts for his/her children as needed as well as setting up the various settings for what actions the child is allowed to perform while playing Pokemon TCG Online.  Here is the guide for parents: http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/play-online/parents-guide/

When you begin playing for the first time, it is recommended to go through and complete all of the Tutorial lessons since that will not only demonstrate how to play Pokemon TCG Online but also provide you with an initial set of cards and sample decks that can be used to play additional Trainer Challenge matches as well as Versus matches.

As you play the Trainer Challenges, you can earn additional coins, Pokemon TCG cards and booster packs to grow your Pokemon TCG Online card collection.

In addition, as you earn coins, you can go into the Shop and redeem the coins for various items such as Pokemon TCG Theme Decks or booster packs.

When you play Versus matches, you earn rewards on a Ladder which allows you to earn additional coins, special Pokemon TCG cards as well as booster packs.

There are also Daily Challenges which allow you to earn coins each time you complete a Daily Challenge.  As you increase your Pokemon Player Level, you have opportunities to earn special coins and deck boxes for your Pokemon Decks that you use while playing in Versus matches.  As you increase your Pokemon Player Level, you are also presented with more options for Daily Challenges and can have up to 2-3 Daily Challenges to complete at any given time allowing you additional opportunities to earn coins faster.

Finally, if you buy Pokemon Booster Packs, Theme Decks, Booster Boxes or sets from a store, you are provided with an online code card which you can use to redeem a booster pack online as well. However, redeeming an online code card for a booster pack DOES NOT guarantee that you will get the same set of cards that you get from your retail booster pack.  For example, if you get some Foil cards or an EX card in your retail booster pack, that does not mean that you will get ANY of the same cards in your online booster pack!  The only exception to this is if you buy a particular Pokemon TCG set such as a Charizard EX Tin.  In this instance, this will only guarantee that you get a Charizard EX card, but not any other cards you may find in the Pokemon TCG Booster packs that are provided as part of the tin.

However, when you redeem an online code for a Theme Deck, you ARE GUARANTEED to get ALL of the cards in the Theme Deck!  This is the only major exception to the rule.  However, most Theme Decks do not include EX cards, so you are left with cards you can usually get out of normal booster packs anyway, but you are given the benefit of being provided with all necessary energy and trainer cards as well, which still means that Theme Decks provide overall great value. 

That should be pretty much all you need to know to begin playing Pokemon TCG Online!!

Building a Pokemon TCG Deck

If you are looking for guidance on how to build a Pokemon TCG Deck, you can find some initial guidance on how to accomplish this directly from Pokemon.com!

http://www.pokemon.com/us/strategy/build-a-pokemon-tcg-deck/