Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Flair Builds on Marvel Snap’s Upgrades

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home November 5, 2024 235 Views 6 Min Read
Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Flair Builds on Marvel Snap’s Upgrades

Announced in February, Pokemon TCG Pocket has now officially launched on mobile devices as a casual, portable alternative to the original Pokemon Trading Card Game. Strikingly, it’s already setting records as the third most successful mobile launch ever, bringing in $1.9 million in revenue on its first day and surpassing 10 million downloads within its first 48 hours on the market. While The Pokemon Company continues to innovate in the gaming world, it’s evident that its latest mobile game is building upon the foundations of Second Dinner’s superhero card game, Marvel Snap.




Though deck-building games like Balatro, Gwent: The Witcher Card Game, and Warhammer 40,000: Warpforge may have also influenced the development of Pokemon TCG Pocket, the parallels with Marvel Snap are particularly striking. Notably, its Flair mechanic appears to pull from Marvel Snap. Specifically, it seems comparable to the upgrade system introduced in the 2022 card game.

pokemon-tcg-pocket-farfetchd-card-overpowered

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Pokemon TCG Card is Overpowered

Following the launch of Pokemon TCG Pocket, players quickly discover that a Basic Pokemon card can dominate the game’s battle scene.

Pokemon TCG Pocket May Have Drawn Inspiration From Marvel Snap

Pokemon TCG Pocket Flair Feature Rewards Collectors

In Marvel Snap, upgrading a card introduces various aesthetic changes while also boosting the player’s Collection Level. As players raise their Collection Level, they earn currency, Boosters, Credits, and new cards. While not all of these rewards hold equal importance, they collectively play a crucial role in winning matches and advancing up the ranked ladder.


Additionally, Marvel Snap includes six upgradeable card levels, ranging from Uncommon to Infinity. The Infinity-level cards are especially coveted for being “max quality” and featuring a striking purple animated frame. At this stage, players can also unlock Infinity Splits, making them appealing to collectors as they provide another opportunity to enhance the visual style of a player’s collection with unique animated effects and artwork.

Although Pokemon TCG Pocket developer DeNA has not explicitly acknowledged Marvel Snap, it seems likely they were influenced by it. Some have even referred to the game as “Pokemon meets Marvel Snap,” highlighting their similar customization systems as a notable point of interest. When Pokemon TCG Pocket was released, The Pokemon Company emphasized the ability to customize card collections in several ways, including:

  • Display Boards
  • Binders
  • Playmats
  • Card Sleeves
  • Coins
  • Flair


Given the 2024 release’s wide array of customization options, it’s clear the developers aimed to create a satisfying experience for players. After all, Pokemon TCG Pocket is a bite-sized version of the nearly 30-year-old card game, featuring simplified gameplay and a streamlined design for mobile. Throughout its history, rare and flashy Pokemon cards have consistently stood out as a highlight of the franchise.

For those with duplicate cards, the “Obtain Flair” option serves as an excellent way to express themselves without hindering Battle progression. By using Shinedust currency and extra copies of cards, players can apply special effects that not only enhance their cards but also ensure that duplicates retain value as their card dex expands. This mechanic encourages the collection of multiple card copies, promoting a sense of progression and personalization.


Similar to Marvel Snap, once Flairs are equipped, both players and their opponents will be able to see these effects in action during battles. Currently, Flairs come in four different stages of rarity, but players will need to unlock lower recipes before they can obtain the more expensive ones. To craft Flairs, players need to be in the My Cards Menu. However, if players are planning on taking part in trading when it’s released, they might consider saving some of their rarer cards.

Neither card upgrades in
Marvel Snap
nor Cosmetic Flairs or Battle Flairs in
Pokemon TCG Pocket
provide players with an advantage in battle.


Nonetheless, some players are already expressing a desire for more innovation within the Flair mechanic, suggesting that it should remain active at all times during battles and be applied to all copies of the card in their deck. Given that the mobile game is still in its early stages and trading has yet to be implemented, it’s clear that further updates to Pokemon TCG Pocket are on the horizon. Potential changes could significantly enhance the gameplay experience, opening new avenues for socialization and excitement among the growing player base.

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