Pokémon TCG 101 - How to Go From Collector to Competitor

The excitement of the 2024 Pokémon World Championships is about to begin, and with it, we will once again see players strive to become the best Pokémon Trainers. As with any type of competition, watching the best play motivates everyone to try to reach their level and show what they can do. The Pokémon TCG is no exception, and while you may already be playing and collecting cards, why not try to take it to the next level?

Over the past few years, and with the coverage of the Pokémon World Championships, I have been able to delve a little deeper into this world. Recent advances in technology have made it possible to better understand current strategies and how the game is evolving. So, in the context of the event, I’ll leave you with this basic guide to some of the details you’ll need to consider if you’ve been collecting cards on a consistent basis.

How to Become Competitive in the Pokémon TCG

Keep up with the meta

To get into competitive play, as in other TCGs, it is necessary to examine the meta. Yes, we know you want to build a unique deck, a competitive team that might be “out of the ordinary,” but we will get to that later.

A good way to get a better understanding of the competitive game is to review what is being played or what all players are using, at least in the beginning, to better understand the mechanics. It will also give you an idea of how much the game changes with new releases. Keep in mind that this type of game, like Pokémon, is constantly evolving, and each expansion moves the meta.

Invest in your deck:

Perhaps one of the hardest parts (depending on your point of view): investing in your deck. Currently, the Pokémon Card Game has several starter decks or packs that offer a good introduction to the game, and some of them are still in the meta. For example, the Gardevoir Ex-League Deck has everything you need to get started, with a 60-card deck that stays true to the meta and is still very current at the time of this writing, having been released just this year. In addition to damage counters and Condition tokens, there are Energy cards to activate abilities, and Creature cards to represent Pokémon.

If you are very new to the game, you can look for different booster packs that are sold individually or in boxes. Another way to invest in your deck is to visit some of the Pokémon or general card game player hangouts. You’ll always find someone looking to trade or sell, and you might even find something you didn’t know you needed.

Consider and learn new strategies:

The best way to learn strategies is to watch. Sometimes that’s not possible in person, but don’t worry, the Pokémon community, including the TCG community, is very large, so you can find people who share your tastes and want to get better every day. The upcoming Pokémon World Championships is also a more than interesting place to take a look at different and exciting ways to play.

The best way to learn strategies is to watch. Sometimes you can’t do that in person, but don’t worry, the Pokémon community, including the TCG community, is very large, so you can find people who share your tastes and want to get better every day.

There will always be classes and tutorials on the basics at various in-person events. So if you’re moving from being a collector because you like card design to something more serious, these environments are perfect for getting the basics right.

Find a place to compete:

Finding a place to play is not as complicated as it used to be, or at least not as impossible as it was in the days when the Internet made “weird noises” when it connected. Similar to the previous point, you should also learn more about the live TCG. It is already easy to go to places with dedicated tables to practice. Get out there, play, learn, share, and absorb as much knowledge as you can that can help you compete.

Practice in the Pokémon TCG Live game:

The world has changed a lot since the Pokémon TCG was played in 1999, especially with the advent of the Internet and apps. Pokémon TCG Live has evolved to allow you to take your collection and deck into a virtual world, as well as get other cards. Not only will this help you practice and improve your strategy, but with the new cards, you can try to improve with materials you might not have in real life.

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Don’t stop believing in yourself:

The key to the Pokémon Trading Card Game and its competitive aspect is to trust your heart (and no, I don’t mean the one with the cards from that other game). Seriously, this is one of the healthiest communities in the card game industry, so don’t be afraid to try new things and interact with other people about the game you’re so passionate about.

The Pokémon TCG has official channels that even have tutorials for new players, so you have plenty of resources to help you get started. Don’t wait any longer to build a good starting deck and start a new adventure based on the creatures we love so much.