Pokémon TCG Pocket Does Nothing To Solve This One Long-Standing Issue With The Card Game

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Although has made some notable changes to the original game, one pervasive issue is still readily apparent in the newest version of the TCG. streamlines several of the original’s mechanics, allowing for a far more compact experience overall. However, it has also preserved one aspect of the which has been a cause for frustration amongst players for decades now.

Early downloads show that ’s launch has been very successful, with millions now collecting its new digital card set and battling others from around the world. As the word ‘pocket’ implies, the game is significantly less time intensive than the main, with 20-card decks and winning based on a three-point system rather than the original six Prize Cards. But although many of ’s top cards are also unique to the title, many of their mechanics are drawn directly from the original tabletop game, for better and for worse.

The signature gimmick of Fossil Pokémon cards makes them notably difficult to play, which has been an issue for as long as they’ve been a part of the. What would normally be Basic Pokémon are instead Stage 1 Pokemon, and evolve from an appropriate Fossil Trainer card.

These Item cards can be played as if they were Pokémon and have HP, but cannot retreat or attack, making them nearly useless until they evolve. Although with that being said, Fossils can be discarded from play at any time, a sacrifice which helpfully does not count as a Knock Out.

Fossil Pokémon were first introduced to the in the 1999 expansion, which revolved strongly around the concept and included the Trainer card Mysterious Fossil as a precursor to Kabuto, Omanyte, and Aerodactyl (the latter even being one of the most valuable set cards today). Later Fossil cards also became Items when the Trainer card subtype was introduced. It is also worth noting that some cards have also had Abilities to expand their utility, typically based around lowering damage, although the most recent cards once again lack this feature.

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