Pokemon has grown massively in popularity over the years, and it is now possibly the most popular among all trading card games. There has been an enormous surge in interest in recent years, with people returning to this engaging childhood hobby.
However, it isn’t just fun and games, as collecting Pokemon cards can also be a sound investment strategy. However, if you want to make money dealing in Pokemon cards, you need to understand various aspects of the game.
This article gives some tips that can help you gain proficiency in the subject, and you can begin collecting Pokemon cards.
- Understand what type of collector you are
When collecting Pokemon cards, many people have an objective or a goal they have in mind. The types of card collectors can be divided into three distinct groups.
There is the collector of Pokemon cards who collects for joy and nostalgia. The motivation for collecting the cards for these collectors is their personal preference. They have clear and happy memories of playing with their favorite Pokemon characters when they were kids and might want to collect cards of those characters to relive their childhood.
The second type of collector is involved in the competition aspect. Such people are interested in playing the game part of the Pokemon Trading Card Game or TCG. For such collectors, the main objective is to find the most resourceful and powerful cards.
Finally, the third type of collector is in it for investment. They are interested in the trading of Pokemon cards to earn a profit. Pokemon is one of the fastest-growing media franchises today, and, understandably, collectors would want to make money from it.
- Familiarize yourself with the rules
Before purchasing cards or building a deck, you must get yourself armed with the game’s rules. The final goal or objective in the Pokemon TCG is defeating the rival. There are predominantly three ways to achieve that –
1 – Knock out several pokemon rivals to amass all the six prize cards
2 – Take the rival trainer out of the battle by leaving no pokemon on their side of the field
3 – Leaving a rival without any cards to draw from their deck, gaining a technical victory
All those three winning conditions can be achieved in several ways. However, all those tactics require one to play Pokemon cards onto their side of the field and hand themselves with the necessary Energy cards to complete their moves.
- Learn the components of every card
There are three main groups that the cards in the TCG can be sorted into – Pokemon, Trainer, and Energy. Pokemon cards are representative of the Pokemon that can be used in battles and shows their stats, like their type, evolution stage, moves, HP, and other important information.
Remember that you can only play basic Pokemon (unevolved ones) directly. Those of Stage One and Stage Two have to be played onto their corresponding Basic Pokemon.
- Inspect the battlefield
Though it is important to learn the details of your available cards, and building a deck is vital, all that information could be rendered pointless if you cannot understand how the battlefield functions. There is a place for each card to be played or set for easy remembrance by the trainers.
The area of every battle is split into two halves – the trainer’s area and that of the opponent. Each of the trainers sends a pokemon to the center of the field where the action takes place. Those Pokemon are the ‘active’ battlers. There are benches behind every Active Pokemon where the next Pokemon needs to be placed.
If the Active Pokemon faint while battling, the Bench pokemon take their place. Six Prize cards are set apart from one’s deck, to the left, before the commencement of the battle. Towards the right, there are decks and discard piles from where the cards are drawn and sent throughout the duel.
Wrapping up
People tend to get very involved in this card game, and for some, it is a means of investment that can bring them money. However, always remember that the main objective of the game is to derive enjoyment. Losing the battle can be disheartening and annoying, but it is all part of the game. The best trainers have all lost their share of battles before reaching the position they are in now. So, follow the tips provided in the article and give it your best shot. If you wish to buy Pokemon cards online, please check out TrollAndToad.com.
