If you’re aiming to collect every single card in Pokémon TCG Pocket without spending money, it’s going to be a serious grind. According to a dedicated fan on Reddit, it could take free-to-play players roughly 655 days to complete the Genetic Apex set—one of the game’s rarest collections.
Pokémon TCG Pocket launched on October 30 and has already been a huge success, raking in over $12 million and surpassing 10 million downloads within its first four days. The game, available on iOS and Android, lets players build card collections and battle others, with future updates promised to add trading. For those who want a complete collection, the journey will be long and require serious patience, though spending real money can significantly speed things up.
A player using the handle TCGPCollector calculated that a free-to-play user would need to open approximately 3,687 packs to gather every card in the Genetic Apex set, including elusive hidden cards. If players opt to pay for the monthly premium pass, priced at $9.99, it would still take around 437 days to achieve a full set, costing nearly $150 in total. However, the premium path also provides certain bonuses, such as “Wonder Picks” and points to buy specific cards, which can ease the journey.
How Fast Can Free-to-Play Players Complete Pokémon TCG Pocket?
Despite being out for only a week, Pokémon TCG Pocket fans are already excited about new card sets. Based on previous patterns, it’s likely that Creatures Inc., the game’s developer, will introduce new sets three or four times a year, each set adding 200-300 cards. The game also hosts rolling events, which give players chances to earn unique or limited-edition cards. Currently, players can grab a special Lapras EX card by participating in the game’s first event, which runs until November 18.
Source: Pokerev
The Pokémon community is alive and well, thanks to Pokémon GO’s sustained popularity and the arrival of Pokémon TCG Pocket. Fans of the franchise have even more to look forward to, with a new console game on the horizon: Pokémon Legends: Z-A, expected in 2025. Set in the Kalos region, fans can look forward to exploring the Paris-inspired city of Lumiose and enjoying the return of the Mega Evolution feature.
In the meantime, Pokémon TCG Pocket is here to challenge players who are eager to prove their skills and grow their collections, whether they’re aiming for every card or simply enjoying the hunt for rare finds.
