Pokemon TCG Pocket adds dual-type cards in its October update

Pokemon TCG Pocket has confirmed that its October update will introduce a brand-new card category to the mobile game: dual-type Pokemon cards. The feature was unveiled at PokemonXP and is expected to arrive as the game nears its second anniversary, although an official release date has not been announced.

Since launch, Pocket has taken its own approach compared with the physical TCG. The game built much of its identity around free daily packs, and it also changed major systems by reworking Energy usage, replacing Prize cards with Prize Points, and reducing the Bench to three Pokemon. Now its next big gameplay twist draws from an idea the trading card game has explored before.

What has been confirmed

The teaser showed that some Pokemon in one of the upcoming sets will have more than one type at the same time. Their card design is split down the middle, with a different color representing each type.

The trailer did not explain exactly how these cards will work in matches. One possible interpretation is that they could benefit from Weakness tied to either of their types when attacking, but that has not been confirmed. What is official so far is that Mega Mewtwo X ex will be Pocket’s first dual-type card, as a Psychic/Fighting-type Pokemon.

The cards shown in the teaser

• Piplup ex: Water-type, 120 HP, Weakness to Lightning +20, Retreat Cost 1. Its one-Energy attack deals 40 damage and takes a Water Energy from your Energy Zone to attach it to one of your Benched Pokemon.
• Fuecoco ex: Fire-type, 130 HP, Weakness to Water +20, Retreat Cost 2. It has a one-Fire Energy attack that deals 30 damage, plus a second attack that costs one Fire Energy and one of any type, deals 50 damage, or 120 if Fuecoco ex already has damage on it.
• Mega Mewtwo X ex: Psychic/Fighting-type, 180 HP, Weakness to Darkness +20, Retreat Cost 2. Its attack costs two Psychic Energy and one of any type, deals 100 damage, and jumps to 140 if a Stadium is in play.

Beyond introducing the new mechanic, the trailer may also hint at where future releases are headed. Because Piplup ex and Fuecoco ex are ex versions of starter Pokemon in their Basic stage, more cards like them could show up later on. Pocket already includes the final evolutions of many fan-favorite starters.

An idea with TCG history

Dual-type cards are not completely new to the franchise. In the physical TCG, the first wave arrived in 2005 with EX Delta Species. Those cards gave Pokemon different types than usual and always included Metal as the second type.

Later, after HeartGold and SoulSilver brought Johto back into focus, the TCG introduced Legend cards, which combined legendary Pokemon such as Lugia and Ho-Oh into one full card. The most recent dual-type cards appeared in Pokemon X & Y: Steam Siege, with examples like Azumarill, Gardevoir, and Volcanion.

What players have until October

While fans wait for the new update, Pocket still has recent content to dig into. On August 26, the game launched the Team Rocket's Ambition set, centered on the franchise’s classic villainous group. The expansion added several Team Rocket Pokemon along with Trainer cards featuring Team Rocket Grunts, Researchers, and even Giovanni.

Between those Team Rocket additions and the first dual-type Pokemon arriving in October, Pokemon TCG Pocket looks set to offer plenty as it heads toward its second anniversary.

Source: GameRant