How Card Swapping Works in KOTAMON — Trading, NPCs & Duplicate Value
Updated 2026-08-23
Master the KOTAMON trading system: how to swap duplicates with NPCs, unlock the Trading Post, and turn extra cards into the ones you actually need.
Why trade?
Farming every card yourself is slow. Trading duplicates with NPCs and other collectors lets you target the cards missing from your sets and foil collection. Smart swapping is the fastest path to 100% completion.
Unlocking the Trading Post
The Trading Post unlocks after you complete the Red Starter Set. This is why beginners should prioritize Red cards first. Once open, the post offers daily trades and a rotating stock of rare cards.
How trades work
Most NPC traders want one or more cards of a specific color or rarity in exchange for a card they own. Some traders accept in-game currency instead. Always compare the repaired value of your offered cards to the value of the card you receive.
Duplicate strategy
Keep one copy of every card for set completion. Extra commons can be sold for cash. Extra rares and foils should be traded for missing pieces rather than sold, unless you are desperate for money.
Daily stock rotation
The Trading Post stock rotates daily in-game. If a trader has a card you need but you lack the requested cards, mark it in the Tracker and return the next day with the right offer.
Advanced trading tips
Repair cards before trading. Foil duplicates fetch premium trades. Unopened cereal boxes can sometimes be traded directly for rare cards. Check every trader before selling duplicates to a vendor.