New trading features and battle type coming to Pokémon Pocket

Jack Stewart, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 22/01/2026

DeNA has revealed some big changes that are coming to Pokémon Pocket later this month.

There will be a large update along with the release of the Fantastical Parade Pokémon Pocket expansion on January 29th.

As well as adding a new card type in Stadiums, Pokémon Pocket will also receive new battle and trading features.

Firstly, trading is being improved again with the addition of in-game messaging.

When sending a trade request, you will be able to include a message to communicate your preferences.

This is a vast improvement on having to search through the friend’s wishlisted cards or searching their collection to see what they have.

However, judging by screenshots released by the Pokémon Company, this will be limited to pre-made messages.

Players will be able to communicate things like ‘seeking wishlisted cards’ or ‘seeking Japanese cards only.’

Additionally, a brand new type of solo battle is coming to Pokémon Pocket on January 29th.

Random battles will allow players to battle against an AI opponent, which will use a random deck unknown to the player.

It seems that you will be able to select the difficulty as the screenshots show a player queueing up for a beginner-level, random battle.

Additionally, completing these battles for the first time will give out rewards like Pack Hourglasses.

Upcoming events for Pokémon Pocket

As well as these new features, two new events to help new players catch up will be added to Pokémon Pocket on January 29th.

Firstly, the Elite Deck Gift Missions will seemingly let players complete challenges to get an ‘elite’ fire-type deck with Mega Blaziken ex and Entei ex.

Meanwhile, the Handy Card Collection Missions will allow players to earn useful Trainer cards like Copycat, Giant Cape and Sabrina.

Both of these sets of missions will be available until April 26th.

Additionally, a promo solo battle event will allow players to earn the unique Mega Medicham ex card with B series promo packs vol. 4.

The Mega with 180 HP deals 100 damage for three energy with one fighting plus an additional 40 damage if it also has a psychic energy.

That event will last from February 11th until February 21st.

Then, from February 14th until February 24th, there will be a Wonder Pick Event featuring Cinderace and Alolan Vulpix promo cards.

This must mean that Cinderace will make its Pokémon Pocket debut in the Fantastical Parade expansion.

Jack Stewart, Senior Editor

In my seven years of esports writing, I've introduced esports coverage to newspapers, interviewed some of the biggest names in the industry, and driven viewers mad with the puns in my YouTube scripts. I'm most proud of the latter.

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