Discover the thrilling world of the Pokémon Trading Card Game! Collect, trade, and battle with iconic Pokémon cards, from classic favorites to the latest expansions. Whether you're a seasoned trainer or just starting your journey, our curated selection on TCGplayer has everything you need to build your dream collection. Join the excitement and catch 'em all today!

Collector's Insight:

In recent years, Pokémon cards have become the hottest collectibles with demand far exceeding supply. Special Illustration Rares are some of the most sought after cards in modern Pokémon. Sealed products of new sets are routinely out of stock and can only be bought from 3rd party resellers at prices far above MSRP. Your best bang for the buck is to buy singles directly from a reputable seller instead of chasing down over-priced booster packs.

Player's Insight:

Pokémon plays very differently compared to other TCGs like Magic. Most competitive decks are centered around a single Pokémon and their evolution chain, with the rest of the deck stuffed with card-draws, tutors, and staples to allow you to consistently dig up that single Pokémon you need, every match you play. Playing a competitive Pokémon deck can be somewhat of a chore since you'll spend most of your time cycling the cards in your hand and shuffling your deck over and over. Boss's Order, Professor's Research, Iono, Ultra Balls, and Earthen Vessels are the usual suspects that show up in nearly every deck, so the lack of variety makes for dull gameplay in the long run. Furthermore, due to power-creep, the EX Pokémons make most of the non-EX Pokémon completely unplayable even in a casual setting. For casual players, the best way to enjoy Pokémon as a game is via house rules like "Gym Leader Challenge", which is a singleton format that also forbids the use of EX Pokémon or other Rule-box Pokémon.

Verdict

• Age: 6+
• Collector Appeal: 5/5
• Complexity: 3/5
• Game Play Experience: 3/5
• Deck Building Difficulty: 5/5