The Pack Points system in Pokémon TCG Pocket is facing criticism from players who find it increasingly challenging to complete their card collections. While initially perceived as a reasonable way to acquire specific cards, the influx of new booster packs has made accumulating points a more arduous task.

Since its October 2024 launch, Pokémon TCG Pocket has amassed millions of downloads. The initial Genetic Apex pack contained 226 cards, excluding rare variants. However, subsequent expansions like Mythical Island, Space-Time Smackdown, and Triumphant Light have added hundreds of new cards, making it progressively tougher for free-to-play users to stay current.

The latest Triumphant Light booster pack introduced a range of powerful cards, further emphasizing the limitations of the Pack Points system.  Each booster pack awards five Pack Points, which can be redeemed for cards. Prices range from 35 points for common cards to 2,500 for coveted golden EX cards.  The core issue lies in the fact that Pack Points are tied to specific booster packs. This means points earned from opening a Genetic Apex pack cannot be used to purchase cards from Triumphant Light, rendering accumulated points from older packs largely obsolete.

Many players have voiced their concerns on platforms like Reddit, advocating for a universal Pack Points system. A shared pool of points across all booster packs would allow players to continue opening the newest packs while still working towards completing older collections. This would encourage a more sustainable gameplay loop and alleviate the pressure of the fear of missing out (FOMO) often associated with frequent releases and limited-time offers.

While Pokémon TCG Pocket recently implemented a trading feature, it comes with limitations, requiring additional resources for each trade.  The Wonder Pick system, another avenue for card acquisition, is also affected by the rapid release of new boosters. The probability of obtaining a specific missing card through Wonder Pick diminishes as players' attention is divided among multiple sets.

A universal Pack Points system could significantly benefit free-to-play users, enabling them to complete base collections without resorting to in-app purchases of Gold or subscribing to the Premium Pass.