Pokémon TCG Pocket Ranked Matches Guide Rules Rewards and Season Details

In Pokémon TCG Pocket, Ranked Matches usher in a thrilling new era of competitive play where trainers battle head-to-head to prove their deck-building prowess and strategic skill. Starting from the Beginner Rank, players climb through five distinct ranks-each with multiple tiers-by earning points through victories, all aiming for the prestigious Master Ball Rank. With win streak bonuses, risk of demotion at higher ranks, and seasonal resets that reward top performers with exclusive emblems, Ranked Matches transform every duel into a high-stakes test of mastery and mettle.

Ranked is a new battle feature where you’ll face off against other players and test your own strength against their decks. Bring your strongest deck onto the battlefield and climb the ladder to its highest tier, Master Ball rank. However, information about the ranked feature is sparse and hard to find, so we’ve put together an explainer on how it plays.

Learn more about how ranked matches work in Pokémon TCG Pocket below.

All ranks and point streaks in Pokémon TCG Pocket Ranked

In Pokémon TCG Pocket Ranked Matches, players progress through 17 ranks grouped into five main categories: Beginner Rank (1-4), Poké Ball Rank (1-4), Great Ball Rank (1-4), Ultra Ball Rank (1-4), and Master Ball Rank. Each rank except Master Ball has four tiers, and players earn points by winning matches to climb these ranks. Winning streaks increase the points gained per win, starting at 10 points and rising up to 22 points for five or more consecutive wins. Losing matches can cause point loss and potential demotion, except in the Beginner ranks where no points are lost on defeat. Master Ball Rank features additional subranks based on player standings, and at the end of each season, players receive emblems reflecting their highest achieved rank.

Ranked matches function similarly to regular versus battles, but, in ranked, you’ll face off against other trainers of similar skill levels. As you win and lose battles, you’ll gain and lose rank points, which will dictate your current rank. There are 17 ranks in Pokémon TCG Pocket, which we’ve listed below in ascending order:

• Beginner Rank 1-4
• Poké Ball Rank 1-4
• Great Ball Rank 1-4
• Ultra Ball Rank 1-4
• Master Ball Rank

Everyone will start in Beginner Rank 1 and will have to work their way up to Master Ball Rank by winning battles and earning points. However, there are a few caveats you should know about the point system:

• In Beginner Rank 1-4, you’ll lose zero points on defeat.
• In ranks up to Great Ball Rank 1, you cannot demote to a lower rank.
• Winning a match will give you 10 points unless you’re on a win streak, which will net you additional points.
  • 2 win streak – 13 points
  • 3 win streak – 16 points
  • 4 win streak – 19 points
  • 5 win streak – 22 points

For more information on how many points you win or lose in Pokémon TCG Pocket Ranked matches, check out the table below from Serebii:

Ranked Matches in Pokémon TCG Pocket offer a competitive mode where players face opponents of similar skill to climb through 17 ranks, from Beginner to Master Ball. Winning battles earns rank points, with streaks granting bonus points, while losing can cause point loss and potential demotion in higher ranks. Each season lasts about a month, after which ranks reset and players receive unique emblems and rewards based on their highest achieved rank. This system encourages strategic deck-building and consistent performance to reach the top tiers and earn recognition in the competitive scene.

Players will battle it out for a season, which is a set period of time, to climb up the ranks. In this case, Season A2b is Pokémon TCG Pocket’s first season and will be available from Friday, March 28at 2 a.m. EDT to Sunday, April 27 at 1:59 a.m. EDT.

Once the season is over, ranked will enter the results announcement period and your rank will soft reset – meaning your starting rank next season will be based on how you fared last season. Additionally, you’ll earn end-of-season rewards, which we’ll go over in the section below.

All Ranked rewards in Pokémon TCG Pocket

In Pokémon TCG Pocket, ranked matches feature a tiered ranking system with 17 ranks divided into five main categories: Beginner, Poké Ball, Great Ball, Ultra Ball, and Master Ball, each with four tiers except Master Ball, which is the highest rank. Players earn points by winning matches, with additional bonuses for win streaks, and points are deducted for losses starting from the Poké Ball rank onward. At the end of each ranked season, players receive rewards based on their highest achieved rank, including unique emblems commemorating their rank and Pack Hourglasses, which are used as in-game currency. Higher ranks yield more substantial rewards, and top players in the Master Ball rank gain special recognition with global rankings. This system encourages competitive play and progression through increasingly challenging tiers.

By participating in Ranked matches during a season in Pokémon TCG Pocket, you’ll be eligible to earn end-of-season rewards. Beginner Rank 1 trainers will receive a Season A2b Beginner Rank 1 emblem and 10 pack hourglasses, and every rank after that will get its respective rank emblem and five additional pack hourglasses -except for Great Ball Rank 4 to Ultra Ball Rank 1 and the top 10,000 Master Ball Rank players.

Keep in mind, rewards must be claimed during the results announcement period, which runs from Wednesday, April 30, at 2 a.m. EDT to Thursday, May 29, at 1:59 am EDT. It’s not clear what will happen to your rewards if you don’t claim them, but we’d suggest avoiding that issue and claiming the rewards immediately!

For a full list of rewards, check out the table below:

How do the different ranks and tiers in Pokémon TCG Pocket determine your matchups

In Pokémon TCG Pocket, your rank and tier directly influence the matchmaking system by pairing you with opponents of similar skill and standing. The ranked ladder consists of five main ranks-Beginner, Poké Ball, Great Ball, Ultra Ball, and Master Ball-each divided into four tiers, except Master Ball which has sub-tiers based on leaderboard position. As you win matches, you earn points that promote you through tiers and ranks; losing matches causes point loss and potential demotion starting from Poké Ball Rank upward. This point-based system ensures that your opponents are matched close to your current rank and tier, creating balanced and competitive battles. At the highest Master Ball Rank, matchmaking is influenced by your position among the top players, further refining opponent skill level. Win streaks also grant bonus points, accelerating rank progression and affecting matchups accordingly.

How do rank points influence your matchup difficulty in Pokémon TCG Pocket

Rank points in Pokémon TCG Pocket significantly influence the difficulty of your matchups by determining your current rank and tier, which in turn matches you against opponents of similar skill and standing. Each win grants you points (typically 10), and losing costs points starting from Poké Ball Rank upward, with losses penalizing more heavily at higher ranks-5 points lost at Poké Ball and Great Ball ranks, 7 at Ultra Ball, and 10 at Master Ball. This point system ensures that as you accumulate more points and climb ranks, you face tougher opponents, while losing points can demote you to lower ranks with easier matchups. Additionally, win streaks grant bonus points, accelerating your climb and increasing matchup difficulty faster. At the highest Master Ball rank, your position relative to other top players further refines matchmaking, pairing you with the most competitive trainers. Thus, rank points directly control the balance and challenge level of your ranked battles.