The Pokemon Trading Card Game is about as old as the franchise's video games. The gameplay and strategies involved in the tabletop game can get just as complex as its electronic counterpart. A vibrant community has formed around Pokemon TCG, though it can be an intimidating one to enter. Fortunately, there are a few YouTubers that make it easy for newcomers, whether they are interested in card collecting, the latest news, or competitive battles.
Pokemon TCG does not have to be excessively time-consuming or expensive, nor does it take intense studying to learn the basics. With the right guides, it is simple to ease one's way into the community. Instead of purchasing endless packs to find the rarest cards, viewers can watch their favorite YouTubers do pack openings instead. It is the perfect time to get into the hobby as fans eagerly await the release of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
The World of Pokemon TCG
Most Pokemon fans are likely very familiar with the video games and anime, though the trading card game has also found success within its niche. Some franchise fans stay away from the cards because they seem confusing, and it appears impossible to try and collect them all. However, there are several elements to the cards and community that surround them, and even players who have no idea how to play the official games can enjoy Pokemon TCG.
To play an official Pokemon TCG match, each player requires a deck of cards and a play mat. Decks are composed of Energy cards, Item cards, Trainer cards, and Pokemon cards. With each turn, competitors place cards on the play mat and attempt to knock out their opponent's Pokemon by depleting their HP. The game is easy to learn, yet hard to master. One can spend years learning its intricacies and the various genius strategies that the top players make use of.
Not all fans are into the competitive side of things, however. Plenty of enthusiasts are solely into the card collecting aspects, which can easily become addictive. Cards are sold in various sets that typically align with the gaming generations, and recent packs have even included Pokemon GO. The cards feature beautiful artwork, which makes them pleasing to look at and fun to show off, and one does not need to know how the competitive game works to start collecting.
Not all cards are created equally, and some are more highly valued than others. Collectors can check how rare their cards are by paying attention to the rarity symbols printed on them. A circle represents a common card, while a diamond represents an uncommon card. Rare Pokemon cards have a star on them, while promotional cards have a special star with the word "promo" on them.
In much the same way that the Pokemon games feature shinies, card collectors will sometimes encounter very rare cards made with holographic foil. These are usually highly sought after, and they can fetch large sums of money in the marketplace. Other cards can also become valuable for other reasons, including being from the first main expansion or having a notable error on it, such as square corners instead of rounded ones. While some fans will never part with their most treasured collector's items, others have sold their Pokemon cards for millions of dollars.
Pokemon YouTubers For Newcomers
Pokemon TCG can be daunting for anyone hoping to dip their toes, but there are a few YouTubers who can make the process a little easier. For those looking to learn more about the card-collecting aspects of the community, it's a good idea to check out CandyEvie. Although her channel began with her shiny hunts, visitors today will find that it is filled with Pokemon trivia videos animated in her cutesy style.
The videos are informative yet entertaining, and they span a variety of topics related to the franchise and many are focused on the cards. CandyEvie's YouTube channel also has plenty of card pack openings, which can be exciting to watch. Plenty of times, she has been lucky enough to pull quite rare cards which she is always more than happy to show off. Oftentimes, fans will send her packs they've constructed themselves which sometimes feature extremely rare cards or even hard-drawn cards.
For new collectors wanting to learn more about past sets that have been released, as well as some of the rarest cards ever released, Ptcgradio is a good channel to check out. It features both English and Japanese cards, as well as plenty of pack openings. It is also a great channel to learn about the latest Pokemon TCG news, including new set reveals. Listening to the channel is soothing because, as the channel name may suggest, Ptcgradio speaks in a charismatic radio voice.
For those looking to get into the competitive side of things, there are a few YouTubers to choose from. Tablemon provides a good entry point, as he has plenty of real-world experience with Pokemon TCG but is still capable of making lighthearted, informative videos. In 2016, he won the National Championship in Mexico, and in 2017 he placed 7th in the Pokemon TCG World Championship. It would also be wise to check out AzulGG, who has also fared well in regional and international championships. His channel has informative videos analyzing different decks, which can help viewers better understand how a top player thinks.
The world of Pokemon card collecting can be a dangerous one. There are unscrupulous resellers looking to exploit fans by selling fake cards, so it is always good to tread with caution and do appropriate research. However, it doesn't take purchasing expensive card packs to be a fan and active member of the community either. Simply staying up to date with one's favorite YouTubers and learning more about all the rare cards out there can be quite satisfying.