Code card
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Code cards are Pokémon Trading Card Game cards containing codes that can be used to redeem virtual cards or other virtual products for Pokémon TCG Live and its defunct predecessor, Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. Code cards are available in physical Theme Decks, Elite Trainer Boxes, Booster packs, and other products that state that they contain a code card or contain the TCG Live symbol (previously, the TCGO symbol) on the packaging.
Design and features
The face side of each code card has a unique 11-digit alpha-numeric code and an equivalent QR Code that can be redeemed on the official Pokémon website or in-game. Each card can only be redeemed once, and up to 10 items can be submitted to be redeemed at the same time. The card also provides instructions on how to redeem the code, including a website address. The reverse side of the card features art related to the TCGO/TCG Live.
Twitch.tv rewards
For rewards collected and claimed from the video live-streaming service Twitch.tv, the items are listed in the player's account at https://rewards.pokemon.com/inventory. These digital rewards have a unique 13-digit alpha-numeric code. Depending on the reward, it may or may not have an expiration date, which will expire in 31 days from when the reward is first viewed by the account holder. Each new item that has not had its 'Show Code' button selected is highlighted by a border with the label 'NEW' in the upper left corner. All items on the inventory page collected over the account's lifetime remain viewable for the account holder.
Design variations
For cards released around Phantom Forces and TCG Live's debut, there were generally two designs. For a code card obtained in a Booster pack, the design on the reverse of the card (and the text on the face of the card) provided a clue as to whether the guaranteed Rare card was a Regular Rare (dark green background on the reverse of the card, with text on the face that read "Use this code to unlock your online booster pack. Visit: www.pokemon.com/redeem") or a Holofoil Rare, Ultra Rare or Secret Rare (silver and green background on the reverse of the card, with text on the face that read "Use this code to unlock your online reward. Visit: www.pokemon.com/tcgo"). Some promotional products that included code cards could include a silver and green code card, or a unique themed code card that matches the style of the product (for example, the Chesnaught code card from its respective Kalos Power Tins).
This coloring changes depending on the product's language, having no effect on the redemption as any code of any language can be redeemed in the game, and cards will display in the language that the user defines in their game settings: green accents for English code cards, red for German, blue for French, orange for Italian, pink for Spanish, purple for Portuguese and yellow accents for Russian code cards.
TCG Live redemption limits
In TCG Live, code redemption is limited depending on the product. When a new set releases in-game, the count for all products is reset. This limit has been set so players would not exploit the new crafting feature, which rewards players with a new currency when they obtain cards they have already reached the limit for. Using this currency, players can craft any card they desire in the game, which could be easily exploitable by using various codes of the same product. Once the maximum amount has been reached, a small amount of currency per code will be granted instead. Redemption limits:
- Booster Pack - 400 per set
- Build & Battle Box - 25 per set
- Preconstructed Deck - 4 per deck
- Other product types - 4 per product if 1 or more cards would be received, or 1 per product if only deck or avatar customization items would be received.
Redemption outcomes by product
As a general rule:
- All standard 60-card Theme Decks will unlock their respective cards, as well as a coin. All of these cards are tradable and can be used in any way desired.
- Elite Trainer Boxes unlock Gameplay items including a deckbox and sleeves. Most will unlock no cards (though the Booster packs included with an Elite Trainer Box will each have their own code cards that can be redeemed). These items were tradeable in TCGO.
- Booster packs will unlock a random Booster pack from that expansion. It will not be the same set of cards that was inside the physical Booster pack. A Booster pack that yields a physical Holographic, Ultra or Secret Rare card may provide a virtual card of a different Rarity.
- If an online code card is included, multipack boxes such as the Charizard-EX Box and tins will unlock rewards ranging from a single card to a full 60-card deck, depending on the product the code card came with.
See also
- List of Pokémon Trading Card Game Online distributions
- List of Pokémon Trading Card Game Live distributions
This article is part of Project TCG, a Bulbapedia project that aims to report on every aspect of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. |