Summary
Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocketplayers are unanimously complaining about sleeping Pokemon that can use their abilities, and many are calling for a change to the mechanic. Sleep is a status condition that has always existed within thePokemonIP, caused by certain moves such as Sing, Hypnosis, and Dark Void, and these moves stop active Pokemon from attacking.Pokemon TCG Pocketsees the return of sleeping pocket monsters, but leaving their abilities unchecked is causing unrest in the community.
Pokemon TCG Pocketis a free-to-play mobile adaptation of the tabletop trading card game, and it was released in October 2024 by developers Creatures Inc, DeNA, and The Pokemon Company. A recentPokemon TCG Pocketleak revealed new cardscoming to the mobile game, mainly the Poke Flute and Pikachu cards expected to be added in the upcomingMythical Islandexpansion. The extra content will supply trainers with over 80 new cards, including Mew ex and Aerodactyl ex.

Posted on Reddit by SneeftheBeef, a photo was shared on thePokemon TCG Pocketsubreddit showing the Change My Mind meme with the caption, “Sleeping Pokemon shouldn’t be able to use their ability.”Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Asleep is a Special Conditionthat renders active Pokemon unable to attack or retreat. However, Pokemon that are asleep can still use their abilities, as it’s not considered a direct attack. The player stated that the battle mechanic didn’t make sense and noted it was a “great injustice” to trainers.
Pokemon TCG Pocket Players Call for a Change to Sleeping Pokemon’s Abilities
Several Redditors agreed that disabling sleeping Pokemon’s abilities would add more value to the attacks that make them unconscious. However, others think it depends on the ability, naming Shell Armor as a reasonable ability to leave active with Counterattack being unreasonable. APokemon TCG Pocketfan recently designed concept art for a Snorlax ex card, and the Normal-type is also a prime example of a questionable sleeping ability from the original trading card game. Snorlax’s Thick Skinned continues to confuse players, as the ability stopped double-up attacks that confused, paralyzed, poisoned, or put Pokemon to sleep, but the effect stopped working if Snorlax was already subjected to the aforementioned four symptoms.
Some sleep mechanics do have their benefits in the mobile card game, however, as manystrong sleep decks inPokemon TCG Pocketboast clever synergies that are guaranteed to put opponents in a tight spot. Despite that, most players agree that Greninja, for example, shouldn’t be able to throw water shurikens while asleep, but they do advocate for Shelder and Melmetal to retain their armor.
Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience the fun of collecting Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) cards with Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, an upcoming game for iOS and Android devices from Creatures Inc., the original developers of the Pokémon TCG, and DeNA Co., Ltd. In this game, you will be able to open two booster packs every day at no cost. You can collect digital cards featuring nostalgic artwork from the past as well as brand-new cards that are exclusive to Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket.Be on the lookout for new “immersive cards,” which will make you feel as though you’ve leapt into the world of the card’s illustration.