View source for Pokémon Trading Card Game Online

{{outdated|needs=the new features recently added to the game}}
{{Infobox game |colorscheme=fighting|bordercolorscheme=tcg
|name=Pokémon Trading Card Game Online
|jname=
|boxart=TCGOlogo.png
|caption=Logo of Pokémon Trading Card Game Online
|platform=PC
|category=Strategy
|players=1-2, with unlimited in chat
|link_method=Internet
|developer=Electrified Games, Sleepy Giant Entertainment, {{tt|Plexipixel|Website design}}, {{tt|Inversoft|Word filter}}
|publisher=The Pokémon Company International
|gen_series=
|cero=
|esrb=E
|pegi=
|oflc=G
|release_date_ja=N/A
|release_date_na=March 24, 2011 (TC beta)
|release_date_au=March 24, 2011 (TC beta)
|release_date_eu=March 24, 2011 (TC beta)
|website_ja=N/A
|website_en=[http://www.pokemontcg.com/ Game site]
}}

[[File:TCGOicon.png|thumb|Pokémon TCGO site icon]]

'''Pokémon Trading Card Game Online''' is a downloadable game and the first Pokémon game of the MMOTCG (massively multiplayer online trading card game) genre as well. The game released March 24, 2011, currently in its beta stage, is based on the {{Trading Card Game}} aspect of the Pokémon franchise.

==Plot==
The player begins his or her adventure at [[Game Store]] where [[Zach]] and [[Ella]] welcome him or her. The player is given three starter decks, as well as three coins to choose from, featuring the Energy symbols, {{p|Shaymin}}, and {{p|Arceus}}. The game revolves around four main Pokémon Leagues found in the Trainer Challenge option.

==Features==

===Play Modes===
There are 3 different play modes available. These are Versus Mode, Trainer Challenge, and Tournament Mode. Tournament Mode is currently unavailable.

====Versus Mode====
Players can play against other users in three different game modes. "Practice Battle" mode allows a player to practice against a random computer-controlled trainer from Trainer Challenge and does not count toward a player's ranking. In "Practice Battle" mode the player has four choices of difficulty: Beginner, Intermediate, Hard, and Expert. The second mode, "Player vs Player," allows a player to compete against another random player from around the world. This mode has two levels of difficulty: Novice and Expert. The final mode, "Friend Battle," is to play against other players added to the Friends List. The "Player vs Player" and "Friend Battle" modes allow the player to choose from a modified, unlimited, or theme deck play format, while the "Practice Battle" mode only allows for the unlimited format.

====Trainer Challenge====
In the Trainer Challenge, players must face various opponents with only theme decks, which include {{TCG|Basic Red}}, {{TCG|Basic Green}} and {{TCG|Basic Blue}} but may also include any theme decks unlocked by code cards. These code cards are attained through purchase of a physical Black & White Theme deck, or a virtual deck purchased through the store with trainer tokens. Players may battle in three leagues: Gold League, Platinum League, and City Championship. Each of the leagues has the option of changing difficulty: Beginner, Intermediate, Hard, and Expert. A player must defeat a league before unlocking the next starting with Gold League ending with City Championship. If one defeats 8 different trainers with the same Basic deck, that deck will be unlocked to use in a player's collection and decks. One can unlock all three basic decks (Basic Blue, Green, Red) only through Trainer Challenge but cards unlocked from these decks cannot be traded and are marked by red numbers underneath each unlocked card.

In April 2013, The three basic decks were recreated with cards from the Black & White era; the recreated decks are titled {{TCG|Black & White - Basic Red|BW Basic Red}}, {{TCG|Black & White - Basic Green|BW Basic Green}} and {{TCG|Black & White - Basic Blue|BW Basic Blue}}. These three decks were made available in Trainer Challenge on 18 April 2013.

====Tournament Mode====
Tournament Mode is currently unavailable. It will be used for tournament games in a future update.

===Daily Login Bonus===
This was a feature added in January 2013 that rewarded players for logging in daily with Trainer Tokens and random Booster Packs from the Black and White: Next Destinies expansion and on. The system originally had a timer built in that counted down 24 hours from the previous login to determine when a player's next bonus could be obtained. However, this method was revised in February of that year in exchange for a timer that is based on midnight GMT. Now the rewards are received the first time that a player logs in each day based on GMT.

===Forums===
In the [http://www.pokemontcg.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?3-English forums], players may learn about the maintenance updates, create role plays, and chat with friends about Pokémon. The forums are partly visible when not logged in. When logged in, all the forums show.

===Profile===

====Achievements====

Upon completing matches in Expert Mode, or selected matches in the 1P Mode, players obtain Trainer Tokens, for use in the [[Pokémon Trainer Club]] on [[Pokémon.com]]. The player can earn achievements for completing various tasks:

=====Misc.=====
*All Dressed Up. Customize your avatar
*Evolver. Play a Stage 2 Evolution card
*Studious. View all Tutorials
*Technician. Play 3 Trainer - Item cards in one turn
*Trader. Trade a card

=====Trainer Challenge=====
*Blade of Grass. Win 8 games with the Basic Green deck in the Trainer Challenge
*Firestarter. Win 8 games with the Basic Red deck in the Trainer Challenge
*Breaking Wave. Win 8 games with the Basic Blue deck in the Trainer Challenge
*Daybreak. Win 12 games with the 'Daybreak' deck in the Trainer Challenge
*Nightfall. Win 12 games with the 'Nightfall' deck in the Trainer Challenge
*Green Tornado. Win 12 games with the Green Tornado deck in the Trainer Challenge
*Red Frenzy. Win 12 games with the Red Frenzy deck in the Trainer Challenge
*Blue Assault. Win 12 games with the Blue Assault deck in the Trainer Challenge

*Gold League Champ. Win all the games in the Gold League
*Platinum League Champ. Win all the games in the Platinum League
*Diamond League Champ. Win all the games in the Diamond League
*City Champion. Win all the games in the City Championship
*Triple Crown Champ. Win the Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Leagues

=====Status-based=====
*All-Around Conditioning. Inflict all 5 special conditions on opposing Pokémon while playing the Daybreak PCD in the Trainer Challenge.
*Baffling. Confuse 5 opposing Pokémon in the same game.
*Incendiary. Burn 5 opposing Pokémon in the same game.
*Stunning. Paralyze 5 opposing Pokémon in the same game.
*Soporific. Put 5 opposing Pokémon to sleep in the same game.
*Venomous. Poison 5 opposing Pokémon in the same game.

=====Knock Outs based on history=====
*50th Knockout. Knock Out 50 of your opponents' Pokémon
*500th Knockout. Knock Out 500 of your opponents' Pokémon
*1000th Knockout. Knock Out 1000 of your opponents' Pokémon
*5000th Knockout. Knock Out 5000 of your opponents' Pokémon
*The Win of the Century. Win 100 games
*Triple Threat. Complete wins with all 3 victory conditions

=====Knock Outs based on a single match=====
*KO!. Knock Out a Pokémon
*Too Easy. Knock out a previously uninjured Pokémon in a single attack
*Two for One. Knock Out 2 Pokémon with one attack
*Hat Trick. Knock Out 3 Pokémon with one attack
*Quad Damage. Knock Out 4 Pokémon with one attack
*Full House. Knock Out 5 Pokémon with one attack
*Clean Sweep. Knock Out 6 Pokémon with one attack

*Eyes on the Prize. Win by drawing the last prize card
*Patient. Win by opponent running out of cards.
*Merciless. Win a game by knocking out your Opponent's last Pokémon
*Perfectionist. Win a game without your opponent getting a single Prize card

=====Damage dealt or healed in a single match=====
*First Blood. Deal 50 damage
*Super Effective. Deal 100 or more damage in a single attack
*Overwhelming. Deal 200 or more damage in a single attack
*Devastation. Deal 300 or more damage in a single attack
*Healer. Heal 100 or more damage in a single game

====Avatars====
There are currently 8 different pre-made avatars to choose from, 4 male and 4 female. The feature is still under development and more additions to avatar selection will be made available in future updates.

====Game Stats====
The Game Stats page allows game statistics to be viewed. The following statistics are currently shown:

* Total cards drawn
* Total damage dealt
* Total damage taken
* Total games played
* Game points
* Total hours played

===Tutorials===
Visitors or members of the site may choose to play through tutorials. Completing a tutorial rewards players with one or two token(s) each, depending on the tutorial chosen.

===Coins===
Coins are items that can be used in-game when a move, status effect or ability requires a coin flip. The different coins have no special effects; their only difference is their appearance. The three starting coins are a yellow {{p|Shaymin}} coin, a blue coin with the different Energy symbols, and a red {{p|Arceus}} coin. The opponent uses the red Arceus coin. Additional coins are made available when a player registers a purchased deck.

===Unavailable features===
The following are features still unavailable worldwide, with the game in its open-beta stage:

* Tournaments & Tournament Keys
* Gems
* Leaderboards
* Gameplay & Avatar Items
* Account History

==Currency==
There are four main currencies in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. These are Trainer Tokens, Gems, Booster Credits, and Tournament Keys. Only Tokens and Booster Credits are currently obtainable worldwide. However Booster Credits became unobtainable in July 2013.

===Trainer Tokens===
Trainer Tokens are the major currency in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. They are available through various means, including the games playable on [[Pokemon.com]], the Daily Rewards bonuses, Trainer Challenge, and the Versus Mode; the last three being features on the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. Originally, Trainer Tokens were only redeemable for items to customize [[Pokémon.com]] Trainer Avatars. However, starting in July 2013, Pokemon TCGO began to allow the purchase of 5-card booster packs from the {{TCG|Black & White}} Series for 95 Trainer Tokens and Theme Decks from the {{TCG|Black & White}} Series for 500 Trainer Tokens. Trainer Tokens will be able to redeem a normal 10 card booster pack for 200 Trainer Tokens each in the near future.

===Gems===
Gems are currently unobtainable. They will be used to provide an alternative way to acquire booster packs in game in a future update.
In April 2013, the testing of gems began only in Canada. Gems were available directly for purchase from players. During the test, players could buy booster packs from the Pokemon Black & White era including {{TCG|Black & White}}, {{TCG|Emerging Powers}}, {{TCG|Noble Victories}}, {{TCG|Next Destinies}}, {{TCG|Dark Explorers}}, {{TCG|Dragons Exalted}}, {{TCG|Boundaries Crossed}} and {{TCG|Plasma Storm}}.

===Booster Credits===
Booster Credits are used to purchase booster packs in game. They could be obtained from redeeming codes on code cards, available in {{TCG|Black & White}} booster packs and onward. Originally, code cards found in packs from this era, were redeemed for Booster Credits. Booster Credits could be redeemed for packs from {{TCG|HeartGold & SoulSilver}} through {{TCG|Boundaries Crossed}} sets. This method ended with the release of {{TCG|Plasma Storm}} when codes from Plasma Storm packs were only redeemable for packs from that set. This method continued with {{TCG|Plasma Freeze}} until the Booster Credit system was ended in July 2013. From July 2013 to December 2013, players with Booster Credits redeemed before July 2013 can redeem these credits for any pack from {{TCG|Next Destinies}} to {{TCG|Boundaries Crossed}} sets. The players who still have Booster Credits at the end of 2013 will have any remaining credits automatically redeemed for {{TCG|Boundaries Crossed}} packs. The current system redeems codes directly for packs from the respective set and the Booster Credit system has been rendered nearly obsolete.

===Tournament Keys===
Tournament Keys are currently unobtainable. They will be used to gain access to certain tournaments by redeeming the amount of keys needed to enter. It is currently unknown how these keys will be acquired.

==Pokémon decks==
{{main|List of Pokémon Trading Card Game Online decks}}
Currently, new players begin with five {{TCG|Theme Deck|theme decks}} exclusive to the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]] available for multiplayer modes. These theme decks are composed of cards from various expansions of the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]].

Cards from the first three theme decks—{{TCG|Black & White - Basic Red|BW Basic Red}}, {{TCG|Black & White - Basic Green|BW Basic Green}}, and {{TCG|Black & White - Basic Blue|BW Basic Blue}}—can be unlocked by beating NPC trainers in the [[Pokémon_Trading_Card_Game_Online#Trainer_Challenge|Trainer Challenge]]. This automatically replaces certain cards in the theme deck used.

The other two theme decks, [[List_of_Pokémon_Trading_Card_Game_Online_decks#Basic_Orange|Basic Orange]] and [[List_of_Pokémon_Trading_Card_Game_Online_decks#Basic Yellow|Basic Yellow]], are only playable in the multiplayer modes.

Another [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]] exclusive deck, [[List_of_Pokémon_Trading_Card_Game_Online_decks#Power Relay|Power Relay]] can also be unlocked by using the redemption code "plasmablast". 

Three other basic theme decks—{{TCG|Basic Red}}, {{TCG|Basic Green}} and {{TCG|Basic Blue}}—were available to players prior to the 1.8.0 patch (April 18, 2013). These decks are composed of cards from the [[Theme_Deck_(TCG)#HeartGold_.26_SoulSilver|HeartGold & SoulSilver Series]]. Players with accounts created prior to this patch can access both these basic theme decks as well as the [[Theme_Deck_(TCG)#Black_.26_White_series|Black & White Series]] basic theme decks.

Purchased {{TCG|Theme Deck|Theme Decks}} from the [[Theme_Deck_(TCG)#Black_.26_White_series|Black & White Series]] onwards can also be unlocked in [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]] by using deck-access codes included in the theme deck box. Alternatively, some of these theme decks can also be redeemed with [[Pokémon_Trading_Card_Game_Online#Trainer_Tokens|Trainer Tokens]]. 

In all, over 3000 cards, including card variants, are listed on the website. The expansions currently supported cover {{TCG|HeartGold & SoulSilver}} through {{TCG|Plasma Blast}}.

==Trivia==
*When using the redemption code 'dragonsexalted', the player receives a male and female version of a Pokémon EX Hat, despite avatar items not yet being available.
**The same goes for the codes 'nextdestinies' and 'darkexplorers'.
**Redeeming 'plasmastorm' gives the player a non-tradeable copy of the Power Relay deck. This can be done as many times as desired.

==External links==
* [http://www.pokemontcg.com/ Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]
* [http://www.pokemontcg.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?3-English Pokémon Trading Card Game Online official forums]

{{Spin-off series}}<br>
{{DoubleProjectTag|Sidegames|TCG}} 

[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:PC games]]
[[Category:Pokémon Trading Card Game video games]]
[[Category:Pokémon Trading Card Game Online|*]]