How to Build a Pokémon Card Collection

Building a Pokémon Card Collection

Here are all the different ways you can start collecting Pokémon cards. 

Collectors young and old have enjoyed Pokémon cards for nearly three decades! There’s no wrong way to collect, so don’t be afraid to jump right in. Use this article as a guide to help you build your own Pokémon card collection.

The First Step

Before you start ripping packs and buying cards, you’ll want to figure out what type of collector you want to be. Most people want a fun hobby or something they can do with friends or family. This could be true for adults who remember collecting Pokemon cards as a child or a parent looking for a new activity to do with their kids.

Two other common reasons people want to build a Pokémon card collection are to make money or compete in tournaments. Whether with sports cards or TCG cards, many collectors aim to turn a profit. For these types of collectors, they view a Pokemon card collection as an investment. Others are interested in the actual TCG competitions, so they build their collection based on the cards most effective for the Pokemon Trading Card Game.

The collection an investor puts together will look very different from one that a TCG player builds, so it’s important to identify your collecting goals. For people who want to have fun building a unique Pokemon card collection, there are so many strategies to choose from!

The Different Types of Pokémon Card Collections

How you want to build a Pokémon card collection is entirely up to you! There are common ways Pokemon collectors go about building a collection, but you can be as creative as you want. Consider these strategies or mix and match to create your own.

One of the most common ways to collect Pokemon cards is to build complete sets. These can be vintage sets like the original 1996 Japanese Base Set or the English version released in 1999. There are hundreds of sets, many of which are broken down into popular expansions like Sword & Shield or Scarlet & Violet. Collecting every card from the original Base Set can get expensive, but there are many more you can complete without breaking the bank.

Do you have a favorite Pokemon that stands above the rest? Some collectors aim to collect every card of their favorite Pokemon. This could mean collecting every Charizard card ever made or Eevee and its eight evolutions. There are hundreds of different Pokemon to choose from!

You can also build your Pokemon card collection based on artwork, era, or language. There have been many talented illustrators, and focusing on eye-catching artwork is one way to build a collection. Mitsuhiro Arita, Ken Sugimori, and Tomokazu Komiya are three very popular Pokemon illustrators. Whether you love one of these artists or have another favorite, a unique way to build your collection is to collect every card drawn by a specific illustrator.

There is huge popularity for both vintage and modern Pokemon cards, but some people prefer one over the other. If you loved Pokemon as a kid and are returning as an adult, focusing on vintage cards might be a good way to start. If you’re completely new to Pokemon, you might be interested in collecting the modern cards.

With Pokemon being a worldwide hobby, there have been cards released in many different languages! Besides the Japanese and English cards, there are also many Pokemon cards printed in French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Although less frequently, some iconic sets were also printed in Dutch, Korean, and Traditional Chinese. Whether you want to stick to a single language or collect the Base Set Blastoise in every language, this is just one more way you can build a Pokemon card collection.

Where to Buy Pokémon Cards

Now that you have an idea of all the different ways you can build your very own Pokémon card collection, you’re probably wondering what types of products are out there and where you can actually get the cards.

If you already know which cards you want, you can search for individual cards on online marketplaces like eBay, at a local hobby shop, or at a show. When buying Pokemon cards online, it can often be tough to tell the condition of a card or even if it’s authentic. For this reason, you want to make sure you’re only buying from reputable sellers.

If you’re interested in buying sealed Pokemon boxes, online marketplaces, shops, and shows are also places you can buy boxes from. You might also be able to find sealed boxes at major retailers like Walmart or Target, but they often sell out fast. Many large hobby shops also have online stores where you can buy sealed boxes, and buying from these will give you confidence that you’re getting authentic, factory-sealed boxes.

Before you buy a Pokemon box, you’ll want to know what comes with it. Elite Trainer Boxes (ETB) and Booster Boxes are the two most common types of boxes. ETBs are great for beginners because they’re built like a starter kit. There are a few packs, a checklist, sleeves to protect your cards, and a few more things that teach you how to play the game.

If you’re interested in a bunch of packs, a booster box is the way to go. There are 36 booster packs in a booster box, and usually 10 cards per pack. Booster boxes also give you the best odds to pull the best cards, making them a popular item for all Pokemon collectors.

There are a few other types of sealed Pokemon products, including Booster Bundles, Collection Boxes, and Theme Decks. Booster Bundles are smaller boxes with six booster packs, an affordable alternative to a booster box. Collection boxes are themed boxes that come with promo cards or other unique items, while theme decks are ready-to-play decks with a specific theme.

Besides sealed Pokemon boxes, there are also TCG repacks that give collectors a fun rip and variety of products. Mint City Elements and Surge are mystery packs that have one raw card, one graded card, and one sealed pack. These are great for collectors who want to chase the big hits while also getting good value across a variety of products.

Ready to Start Collecting?

Whether you want to collect the Base Set, build the biggest Charizard collection, or something entirely different, there’s a space in the Pokemon community for you. If you’re ready to start your Pokemon card collection, add a Mint City TCG Mystery Pack to your collection today!