Pokémon TCG Pocket is preparing some major changes after experiencing a significant decline in active players. The developers want to make collecting cards easier, improve the battle experience, and give players more reasons to return.
One of the biggest changes involves booster packs. Instead of releasing new expansions roughly every four weeks, the game will move to a six-week release schedule.
The changes will begin with the upcoming C Series, which launches on October 30, 2026.
Pokémon TCG Pocket Loses 41% of Its Monthly Players
Despite its successful launch, Pokémon TCG Pocket has struggled to maintain its original momentum.
According to figures discussed by DeNA, the game’s monthly active player count dropped from approximately 39 million to 23 million within one year. That represents a decline of roughly 41%.
The company also attributed part of its August 2026 revenue decline to the game’s performance.
While 23 million monthly players remains an impressive figure, the decline suggests that the original formula has struggled to keep players engaged.
Frequent booster releases may have contributed to the problem. Players constantly face new collections before completing previous expansions.
For collectors who cannot afford to purchase additional packs, keeping up can become frustrating.
New Booster Packs Every Six Weeks
The developers plan to address this issue by slowing down the release schedule.
Starting with the C Series, Pokémon TCG Pocket will introduce new booster packs approximately every six weeks instead of every four.
This adjustment gives players more time to complete collections, earn rewards, and experiment with existing cards.
It also reduces the pressure to spend money whenever another expansion arrives.
However, whether the additional two weeks will significantly improve collection completion remains to be seen.
Players will still need luck when opening packs, particularly when hunting rare cards.
Immersive Cards Will Become Easier to Obtain
Another important change involves Immersive Cards.
These special cards feature animated artwork and have become some of the most desirable collectibles in Pokémon TCG Pocket.
Previously, players could only obtain them through booster packs.
Under the new system, players will also have opportunities to earn Immersive Cards by completing specific collections and missions.
This gives collectors alternative ways to obtain valuable cards without relying entirely on random booster openings.
The developers have not yet detailed every requirement, but the change could make rare-card collecting more accessible.
New Weekly Events and Special Pokémon Packs
Pokémon TCG Pocket will also introduce additional rewards through recurring events.
Weekly event missions will offer new 1-Star promotional cards across a three-week period.
These missions should provide players with regular objectives between major expansion releases.
A new Special Pack called First Partners will also arrive.
This pack focuses on starter Pokémon from all nine regions, giving players another opportunity to collect familiar favorites.
Unlike regular boosters, First Partners will use a separate Stamina resource that refreshes weekly.
This system creates another collecting activity without requiring players to use their normal pack-opening resources.
Community Decks and Unlimited Rental Decks
Collecting cards is only part of Pokémon TCG Pocket. The developers also want to improve its competitive experience.
One upcoming feature is Community Decks.
Players will be able to browse popular deck configurations and copy decklists created by friends or other community members.
This should make deckbuilding easier for newcomers who struggle to understand which cards work well together.
Rental Decks are also receiving an important adjustment.
When a new booster expansion launches, its associated rental decks will become available immediately.
More importantly, these decks will no longer have usage limits.
Players can use them repeatedly in versus battles, allowing them to experiment with different strategies without collecting every required card first.
C Series Introduces Battle Restrictions
The C Series will also introduce battle events that restrict which cards players can use.
These restrictions could encourage different strategies and prevent the same powerful decks from dominating every event.
However, the success of this approach will depend on how the developers balance eligible cards.
Trading Will Become Simpler
Trading has been another area of concern for Pokémon TCG Pocket players.
The developers now plan to simplify the trading system, although the complete details have not yet been revealed.
A more accessible trading experience could help collectors exchange duplicate cards and complete their collections.
Combined with slower booster releases, these adjustments suggest a broader effort to reduce frustration surrounding card acquisition.
Can Pokémon TCG Pocket Win Back Its Players?
Pokémon TCG Pocket still attracts millions of players, but losing approximately 16 million monthly users in a year is difficult to ignore.
The upcoming changes appear designed to address several common frustrations: frequent expansions, limited access to rare cards, and barriers to competitive play.
Slower booster releases could benefit collectors, while unlimited rental decks may encourage more players to participate in battles.
However, these improvements do not guarantee that former players will return.
The first major test arrives on October 30, 2026, when the C1 Expansion introduces the next chapter of Pokémon TCG Pocket.
Whether these changes can reverse the declining player numbers will become clearer over the following months.
