Understanding the Wonder Pick System in Pokémon TCG Pocket: A Beginner’s Guide

I’ll never forget the first time I noticed the big “Wonder Pick” button in the Pokémon TCG Pocket main menu. At that point, I knew how to open booster packs and tweak my deck’s lineup, but Wonder Pick felt like a whole new world. If you’ve just started playing, you might feel the same way. Don’t worry—I’ve been there, and I’m here to help. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly what the Wonder Pick System is, how it works, and how to use it to give your collection (and your deck!) a subtle but meaningful boost.

What Is the Wonder Pick System?

The Wonder Pick System in Pokémon TCG Pocket is a bonus feature that lets you gain extra cards without needing to open traditional booster packs. Instead of tearing open a pack and hoping for that rare card, you’ll use something called Wonder Stamina to pick a single card from a small selection. It’s a bit like having a daily treat: a chance to snag a free (or discounted) card that might improve your deck or fill out your collection.

Key Takeaway: Wonder Pick is your shot at building your card pool over time, no booster pack required.

How Do You Access Wonder Pick?

It’s super simple:

1. Open the Main Menu: From the game’s main screen, look for the large “Wonder Pick” button, positioned near the Shop button at the bottom of the screen.

2. Check Your Wonder Stamina: Right on that button, you’ll see how much Wonder Stamina you currently have. This is the “currency” you’ll spend to make your picks.

3. Enter the Wonder Pick Menu: Tap the Wonder Pick button and you’ll be taken to a page showing different Wonder Pick options.

Understanding Wonder Stamina

Wonder Stamina is the key resource that powers the Wonder Pick feature. Unlike booster packs, which rely on Pack Hourglasses for replenishing, Wonder Picks use Wonder Stamina. Here’s what you need to know:

• Daily Stamina: You receive some Wonder Stamina each day for free.

• Replenishing Stamina: If you run out, you can spend Poke Gold or use Wonder Hourglasses to top it up.

• Choosing Your Pick Costs Stamina: Each Wonder Pick consumes a certain amount of Stamina, depending on the rarity of the cards featured.

For Example:

• Common card picks might cost 1 Stamina.

• Basic rare picks might cost 2 Stamina.

• High-value cards (like full arts or ex) will usually cost 3 Stamina or more.

Making a Wonder Pick

Once you’ve entered the Wonder Pick page, you’ll see different sets of cards on offer. These sets often feature cards recently pulled by your in-game friends or random players. It’s like window shopping for trading cards—each Wonder Pick has its own mini-card pool, and you’re trying your luck by choosing one card from a set of five face-down cards.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Select a Wonder Pick Option: Look over the available Picks. Some might have less exciting but more common cards at a lower Stamina cost, while others showcase rarer, more expensive cards.

2. Confirm Your Choice: Once you choose a Wonder Pick to attempt, you’ll spend the required Stamina.

3. Shuffle and Reveal: The game will show five cards face-down. Tap one card to flip it. Whatever you reveal is yours to keep!

Strategy: How to Make the Most of Wonder Picks

You might be wondering, “Is it worth spending my Stamina on these picks?” The answer is: it depends on your goals. Here are a few tips to help guide your choices:

1. Fill Gaps in Your Collection: If you’re missing certain common cards needed for a deck theme—like Water-type Pokémon or a handy Trainer—look for a Wonder Pick that might contain them. Even if the odds are just one-in-five, it could be worth a try.

2. Accumulate Duplicates for Flairs: Building duplicates helps you earn Flairs, which can be used for various in-game upgrades. Even if you don’t get a rare card, you might still make progress toward these milestones.

3. Try for Rarer Cards (If You Can Afford It): High-value picks cost more Stamina, but if you’re aiming for something special, it might be worth saving up. Just remember, there’s no guarantee you’ll flip the card you want.

4. Play Daily: Completing a Wonder Pick every day isn’t a guaranteed path to rare cards, but it keeps your collection growing steadily over time. Daily picks add up and might surprise you with something valuable later on.

What About the Free Bonus Wonder Pick?

Occasionally, Pokémon TCG Pocket will surprise you with a free Wonder Pick. These bonus picks often show up during special events or promotions, and the best part is that they won’t cost you any Wonder Stamina. It’s basically the game’s way of handing you a no-risk opportunity to add a new card to your collection.

How It Works:

• Random Timing: These free picks can appear unexpectedly, so it’s worth checking the Wonder Pick menu daily.

• Special Themes: During holidays or special in-game celebrations, free Wonder Picks might feature event-themed cards or limited-time releases.

• One-in-Five Chance at Something Cool: Just like a normal Wonder Pick, you’ll flip one of five face-down cards to reveal your prize. While there’s no guarantee you’ll land on a rare card, any free card can be a welcome addition—especially if you’re just starting out.

Keep an eye on the Wonder Pick button. You never know when the game might throw a freebie your way!

Common Questions and Struggles

• “How do I know when to spend Stamina?”

If you’re low on Stamina, you might wait until a particularly interesting Wonder Pick shows up. If there’s nothing special, maybe grab a cheaper option to slowly build duplicates.

• “I tried for a rare card but didn’t get it. Did I waste my Stamina?”

Not necessarily. Even if you didn’t grab the rare card, you still walked away with something. Over time, these small adds can make a big difference in your collection and deck-building flexibility.

• “This doesn’t feel as controlled as opening specific booster packs. Should I focus on Wonder Picks at all?”

Wonder Picks aren’t meant to replace booster packs or other direct methods of getting cards. Instead, think of them as a supplement—an additional path to grow your collection without needing to burn through more traditional currencies.

Putting It All Together

The Wonder Pick System is like having a daily card lottery ticket waiting for you. It won’t guarantee immediate success or perfect pulls, but it’s a steady, low-stress way to round out your deck and collection. Over time, the cards you gather through Wonder Picks—common and rare alike—can add up and make your deck stronger, more versatile, and more fun.

My advice? Take a peek at the Wonder Pick options every day. If something catches your eye, give it a whirl. If not, save your Stamina for tomorrow. Either way, you’ll gradually gain the kind of card variety that makes Pokémon TCG Pocket such an engaging and evolving experience.

Happy picking!