Pokemon TCG FAQ: Pokémon Card Collecting, Grading, Eras and Pokémon HOME Help

 

Pokemon TCG FAQ, a knowledge base for Pokémon trading card game collectors. Find clear answers on starting a TCG collection, identifying card sets, Pokémon TCG eras, card grading by PSA, BGS and CGC, card storage, Pokemon TCG events, pre-orders, and Pokémon HOME help.

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General TCG and Collecting Basics

How do I start collecting Pokémon cards?
 

Pick a focus first: a favorite Pokémon, an art style, a full master set, or competitive staples. Set a budget and choose booster packs, Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs), or single cards. Buy penny sleeves, top loaders, or a ringless binder before you open anything, then follow Shinju TCG for release news and market tips.

How do I identify a Pokémon card set?
 

Check the set symbol and card number printed in the bottom corner of the card. Modern cards show a three-letter set code such as SVI, PAL, or OBF, plus the card number and set total (for example 045/198). Vintage cards have a set icon under the right side of the artwork box, or at the bottom right in later classic eras.

Are Japanese and English Pokémon sets the same?
 

No. Japanese sets are smaller and release more often, while English sets usually combine two or three Japanese sets into one large release. Japanese cards also use a different card back and are widely praised for their texture and holofoil finish. English or local-language cards are required for official Play! Pokémon tournaments in western regions.

Pokémon TCG History, Eras and Popularity

Who created Pokémon and the Pokémon TCG?
 

Pokémon was created by Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori with Game Freak in 1996. The Pokémon Trading Card Game was originally developed by Media Factory and is now produced and managed worldwide by The Pokémon Company International (TPCi) and Creatures Inc.

Why are Pokémon cards so popular?
 

Pokémon TCG is popular because of nostalgia, world-class artwork, appeal across generations, an active competitive scene, and a strong secondary market where rare cards work as collectibles.

What are the main eras of Pokémon cards?
 

Pokémon TCG history follows the main game generations:

Card Grading and Preservation

How are trading cards graded?
 

Professional third-party grading companies inspect each card under magnification and UV light for four criteria, score it from 1 to 10, and seal it in a tamper-evident case called a slab.

Who grades Pokémon cards?
 

The best-known grading companies are PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), BGS (Beckett Grading Services), and CGC Cards (Certified Guaranty Company). ARS is also widely used in Japan.

How much does grading cost?
 

Grading usually costs from about $15 to $150 or more per card, depending on the company, service tier, turnaround speed, and the declared value of the card. Check each grader’s current fee schedule before you submit.

How should I store valuable cards?
 

Protect cards from damage, fading, and warping with these steps:

Shinju TCG Community, Events and Orders

Where can I find upcoming TCG events?
 

Visit the Shinju TCG Events page for local tournaments, arena battles, live box breaks, and trade nights. Check the details again before you attend.

Where can I explore TCG collections?
 

Browse our Collections and Games pages to see the Pokémon sets and TCG games we share and showcase.

Where can I read card collecting guides?
 

Read the Shinju TCG Blog for beginner tutorials, market insights, and set spotlight articles as they are published.

How can I ask about orders or collaborations?
 

For order updates, store inquiries, or creator and sponsorship collaborations, use our Contact page or email support@www.shinjutcg.com. Include your order number for order questions.

Pokémon HOME: Account and System Basics

Pokémon HOME is the cloud storage and trading companion app for Pokémon games. These answers cover accounts, devices, and plans.

Do I need a Nintendo Account to download the Nintendo Switch version of Pokémon HOME from the Nintendo eShop?
 

Yes. A Nintendo Account is required to download Pokémon HOME on Nintendo Switch and to link your data.

Are there age restrictions in Pokémon HOME?
 

Some features, such as adding friends, trading, and linking social accounts, may be restricted depending on the age associated with the linked Nintendo Account.

Are there differences between the Nintendo Switch version and the mobile version of Pokémon HOME?
 

Yes. The Nintendo Switch version is built for moving Pokémon between mainline games and managing boxes. The mobile version adds trading (GTS, Wonder Trade, and Friend Trade), battle statistics, Mystery Gifts, and News and Achievements.

If I have the paid Premium Plan, does it work on both the Nintendo Switch and mobile versions of Pokémon HOME?
 

Yes. As long as both versions are linked to the same Nintendo Account, your Premium Plan benefits are shared across both devices.

Do I need the Premium Plan to transfer Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME?
 

No. Transfers from Pokémon GO are available on the free Basic Plan, though transfer speed and capacity are limited by GO Transporter Energy.

How do I delete my Pokémon HOME account?
 

Open the mobile app settings and go to Support, then Delete Account. Deleting your account permanently erases all stored Pokémon.

Is there a limit to the number of friends I can have in Pokémon HOME?
 

Yes. You can have up to 100 friends on your Pokémon HOME mobile Friend List.

Is my Pokémon HOME Friend List connected to my Nintendo Switch Friend List?
 

No. Pokémon HOME keeps an independent Friend List, managed with Friend Codes in the mobile app.

What are the Pokémon HOME system requirements?
 

The Switch version requires the latest system firmware. The mobile version requires Android 6.0 or later, or iOS 14.0 or later, with a stable internet connection.

Pokémon HOME: Compatibility, Transfers and Game Specifics

How can I tell which games I can transfer my Pokémon to in Pokémon HOME?
 

In the Switch version, select a Pokémon to see game icons showing where it can travel. A green checkmark means it is compatible, and a stop symbol means it cannot enter that game.

Can I move Pokémon from Nintendo 3DS games to Pokémon HOME using Pokémon Bank, and can I move them back?
 

You can transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Bank into Pokémon HOME, but it is a one-way transfer. Pokémon moved to HOME cannot be sent back to Pokémon Bank.

What happens to my medals if my Pokémon HOME Premium Plan expires?
 

Your medals and achievements stay intact. If you have more than the free 30-Pokémon storage limit when the plan ends, the extra Pokémon stay locked in hidden boxes until you renew.

Why can’t I deposit Nincada into my game?
 

Some Pokémon, such as Nincada, cannot be deposited into certain games, including Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, to prevent duplication and glitches related to Shedinja creation.

Why can’t I withdraw or deposit Spinda in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl?
 

Spinda’s spot pattern is coded differently in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl than in HOME and other games, so transfers are disabled to prevent pattern corruption.

Why can’t I see my Pokémon’s moves in Pokémon HOME?
 

Pokémon HOME standardizes how moves are shown depending on the viewing mode. When you inspect a Pokémon outside a game connection screen, only default base moves are displayed.

Why did my Pokémon’s moves change?
 

Since version 2.0.0, a Pokémon’s moveset automatically adjusts to legal moves for the game it is moved into. Its original moves are remembered when it returns to its origin game.

Why is my Pokémon’s Poké Ball different from the one I caught it in?
 

Some non-standard balls, such as the Strange Balls from Pokémon Legends: Arceus, convert to standard Poké Balls or stay Strange Balls when moved to other games, depending on compatibility.

Why can’t I see the Sheen or condition of my Pokémon?
 

Contest stats such as Sheen, Coolness, and Beauty only show for Pokémon connected to games with Contest mechanics, like Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

Why can’t I see the effort levels of my Pokémon?
 

Effort Levels are unique to Pokémon Legends: Arceus and only display when you view the Pokémon in or connected to that game.

What happens to the Original Trainer name of a Pokémon transferred from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME?
 

The Pokémon takes the Trainer Name of the Pokémon HOME account that receives it at the time of transfer.

If I move a Gigantamax-capable Pokémon from Pokémon Sword or Shield into Pokémon HOME, will HOME recognize that it can Gigantamax?
 

Yes. Pokémon HOME shows a Gigantamax (G-Max) icon on the summary page of eligible Pokémon.

Is the Judge function available on the Nintendo Switch version of Pokémon HOME?
 

Yes. The Judge function, which checks IVs, is unlocked for Premium Plan subscribers on both the Switch and mobile versions.

What is the Battle Data feature in Pokémon HOME?
 

Battle Data is a mobile feature that shows ranked ladder statistics, top Pokémon usage, moves, abilities, and tournament results from Scarlet, Violet, Sword, and Shield.

Pokémon HOME: Promotions, Gifts and Troubleshooting

How do I receive the special Gigantamax Melmetal after my first Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME transfer?
 

After your first transfer from GO to HOME, open the mobile version of Pokémon HOME, go to Mystery Gifts, and claim the Gigantamax Melmetal from the Gift Box.

Why isn’t the Gigantamax Melmetal in my Gift Box after transferring from Pokémon GO?
 

Make sure the mobile app is linked to the same Nintendo Account you used for the GO transfer. Restart the app and clear its cache if the gift does not appear right away.

Why haven’t I received Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble with Hidden Abilities for transferring Pokémon between Sword or Shield and Pokémon HOME?
 

Deposit a Pokémon from Sword or Shield into the Switch version of HOME and save your changes. Then open the mobile version of HOME and check the Mystery Gift box.

If I have two Sword or Shield games, will I get two sets of Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble?
 

No. This promotional Mystery Gift is limited to one claim per linked Pokémon HOME account.

Can I get the Hidden Ability Grookey, Scorbunny, or Sobble again if I traded or released it?
 

No. Mystery Gift claims are unique and cannot be reissued or restored once the Pokémon is released or traded.

Can Poké Miles from Pokémon Bank be converted into Pokémon HOME Points?
 

Yes. Battle Points (BP) and Poké Miles in Pokémon Bank were automatically converted into Pokémon HOME Points when Pokémon were transferred from Bank to HOME.

My Pokémon HOME Premium Plan disappeared after I reinstalled the app. What should I do?
 

Open Settings in the mobile app and tap Restore Purchases. Make sure you are signed in to the App Store or Google Play account used for payment and the correct Nintendo Account.

Can I get a refund for a purchase in Pokémon HOME?
 

Refunds follow the policy of the platform where you purchased: the Nintendo eShop, Apple App Store, or Google Play Store. TPCi generally does not issue direct refunds for subscriptions.

Can I choose the language in Pokémon HOME regardless of my device language?
 

Yes. You pick the language during initial setup and can change it in the app settings, independent of your mobile device or Nintendo Switch language.

I get an error when linking my Nintendo Network ID to Pokémon Bank or Pokémon HOME. How do I check my Nintendo Network ID settings?
 

Sign in to your Nintendo Account in a web browser, go to User Info, then Linked Accounts, and confirm your Nintendo Network ID is attached and verified.

How do I edit or remove a label in the mobile version of Pokémon HOME?
 

Open the Box menu in the mobile app and tap Labels. Hold the label you want to change to edit its name or color, or tap the delete icon to remove it.

Why are friends missing from my Pokémon HOME Friend List?
 

This is usually a temporary sync delay, or a friend removed you or deleted their account. Restarting the app normally forces a resync.

Why does Pokémon information display incorrectly or not appear in Pokémon HOME?
 

Display errors are usually caused by corrupt local cache files. Clear the app cache from the start screen menu on mobile, or run a software repair on Switch.

Why does the mobile version of Pokémon HOME freeze in GTS, Wonder Trade, or Box details?
 

Update the app to the latest version first. Clearing the cache from the start screen or reinstalling the mobile app resolves most trading screen freezes.

Why aren’t my Achievements, such as completing the Pokédex, showing correctly in the mobile version of Pokémon HOME?
 

Some achievements only register after you open the Pokédex page or move a Pokémon of that species into a box in HOME, which triggers the completion flag.

How soon are competition results available in Pokémon HOME?
 

Official competition results are usually calculated and posted in the Battle Data section within 24 to 48 hours after an event ends.

Where can I find Pokémon HOME update information for Nintendo Switch (version 1.1.1) and version 1.0.1?
 

Older patches focused on system stability, trade synchronization errors between Bank and HOME, and display bugs when moving very large numbers of Pokémon at once.

Still have a question about Pokémon cards, grading, or your order? Visit our Contact page or email support@shinjutcg.com, and the Shinju TCG team will help.