Since there seems to be some confusion regarding the mods, and a lot of people have contacted me to ask me about it, I thought it'd be a good idea to clarify what the mods do in a bit more detail.

PCL+ and PCL++ are both standalone mods with a bunch of different features and additions from v1.6, as well as a bunch of things missing, and another bunch of core stuff that simply works differently. They were made by community members some time ago, they stopped getting worked on after a while, and they're not receiving any further updates.

- In what ways do the mods differ from each other?

Basically, PCL+ added and changed things on top of vanilla v1.6, but it also introduced some bugs and issues. Then PCL++ added things on top of that. I don't fully remember (and there's nowhere for me to check) the specific distinctions between PCL+ and PCL++, but mainly, PCL++ added a lot of content on top of PCL+, while sadly also making it more unstable (big balancing issues, game-breaking bugs, corrupted savefiles). None of these issues will be fixed for either of the mods.

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The full list of changes that the modded versions have over vanilla are way too many to list, but the main points are:

+ Added new cards up to (most of) Gen 9, including regional forms, some new extra cards, and new secret cards.
+ Added permanent Mega Evolutions and Gigantamax.
+ Added Holographic cards (special visual effect), and Delta cards (different card typing).
+ Added new events, including: "Campfire", "Sacrifice", "De-Glyph", "Rare Candy", "Shiny Charm", Gen-specific card packs, and a few others.
+ Added new general Glyphs and a few card-specific Glyphs: "Rations", "Picky", "Underdog", "Bless", "Adversity", "Command", "Determination", "Rush", and "Taunt".
+ Added "New Game +" features, and special end-game content.
+ Added some new challenge modes.
+ Card packs include more cards than in vanilla.
+ Deck menu has some new features, like different sorting options and mass-selling (although dangerously easy to trigger accidentally).
+ Added some quality of life features, like being able to upgrade cards directly from your inventory, instead of adding them to your deck.
+ Added optional coin skins.

~ The card visual designs and effects were changed.
~ Save slot system is completely different from vanilla, and not always properly functional.
~ Berry cost distribution is entirely different from vanilla.
~ Starter decks are completely different from vanilla.
~ All trainer decks (including Gym Leaders, Crystal League and Champion) are completely different from vanilla.
~ Some card forms (e.g. Castform, Rotom, Wormadam, etc.) work differently from vanilla.
~ Evolution event can be now used multiple times in a single instance.
~ Shinies work in a different way, with different drop rates, and they offer a special stat boost beyond Tributes.
~ Different system to determine drop rate for Legendary, Mythical, and Secret cards.
~ Card selling system and prices are different from vanilla.
~ Added a limit to how many copies of the same card can be included in your deck.

- None of the quality of life, bug fixes, secrets, features or updates added to vanilla since v1.6 (June 2022).
- Balancing issues were introduced in PCL+, and magnified in PCL++.
- A number of game-breaking bugs and save corruption issues were introduced.
- Overall difficulty is much lower, and less consistent than vanilla.
- A few extra/secret cards are missing.
- No card-specific Glyphs or special abilities for any card past Gen 2, including cards that do have them on vanilla (e.g. Shedinja, Kecleon, Cherrim, Slaking, Medicham, etc.).
- No card-specific Glyphs for multiple cards from Gens 1-2 that do have them on vanilla (e.g. Marill, Phanpy, Arcanine, etc.).
- Missing Glyphs: "Inertia", "Motivation", "Setback", "Might", "Aegis", "Magnetism", "Sunlight", "Mindful", and "Intimidate".
- "Shield" and "Debilitate" Glyphs are weaker.
- Cards can have mixed berry costs.
- Levelling up cards is more expensive per-level than vanilla.
- Cards cannot be nicknamed.
- No "Whisperer" trainers (rare challenging battle events that can use your own deck against you).
- No Gym and League rematches in post-game.
- No "auto-attack" function in battles.
- No gameplay statistics (time played, total battles, etc.).
- No dex number option for cards.
- Tutorial was disabled entirely.

Overall, I personally think the mods can be pretty fun, and absolutely worth checking out, but I suggest doing so after playing through vanilla all the way first. The decision is yours though, and I hope you have fun no matter what version you choose to play!