Want to Get Back Into the Game, Need Help Starting

J

Joefish19

Aspiring Trainer
Member
Hi,
I used to play the Pokemon TCG a few years ago, but then I stopped after HGSS (I would usually get about 1:1 win/loss ratio, and I couldnt really buy new cards anymore). I want to get back into the game, but I 'm not sure where to start. I know how to play well and can even follow battles between the top players (as long as I know what the cards do), but I don't know anything about the current metagame nor what cards are good; I only know that the sets from Black and White on are legal.
My questions are: What sets should I buy for a good start? What is currently good in the metagame/which cards should I look for? and would it be worth buying a starter deck?
Pretty much: What would it take to get started again?
I plan to join a League, but i would like to go there with at least some idea of what to do.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated, and I apologize in advance if this is posted in the wrong place (didn't know where else to post it).

P.S. This probably sounds like a REALLY stupid question, but what is this type: {DRG} ?
 
I moved this to the New Player's forum since you're asking about how to get back into the game.

*Moved*

That type is a new one, Dragon type. It was added in the set Dragons Exalted.

Getting a starter deck probably isn't the best of choices at least IMO. Definitely go to League and see if you can get some staple Trainers like N, Professor Juniper, Skyla, Bianca, Pokemon Catcher, Switch, Ultra Ball, etc. Dark Explorers has a couple of these great Trainers, so it's probably the best set if you were to buy packs IMO. Darkrai EX and Tornadus EX are both in the set and they're quite good.

Other good EXs to possibly get a hold of are Mewtwo EX, Keldeo EX, Landorus EX, Shaymin EX, Ho-Oh EX. Definitely check out the Metagame Deck Center sub-forum for a couple competitive decks and lists as well as the Deck Garage forum for a variety of lists as well.

dmaster out.
 
1. If you want to buy packs, (I strongly suggest getting singles instead, even if it costs more, it's worth it) get Emerging Powers, Noble Victories, Next Destinies, Dark Explorers, Dragons Exalted and Boundaries Crossed.

2. Darkrai EX varients, Keldeo EX/Blastoise, Eelektrik/Tornadus EX/Raikou EX/Aspertia City Gym, Ho-Oh EX varients, Big Basic decks, (decks that only use basics like Tornadus EX/Terrakion/Landorus EX/Mewtwo EX/Darkrai EX) are all good decks. Look for Hyrdeigon Dragons Exalted (the Ability one), Keldeo EX, Blastoise, Pokemon Catcher, Darkrai EX, Mewtwo EX, Tornadus EX, Bianca, Cheren, Professor Juniper, N, ect. No, starter decks are horrible and the only one I would buy is the Ice Shock one (the one with Black Kyurem) because it has a Blastoise.

3. {DRG} = Dragon Type.
 
Thank you so much, that helps a lot. I haven't logged onto this site in over a year, and am just completely out of tune with the current format.

One more quick question, if that's okay. I still have all of my old cards (from right before Diamond and Pearl to HGSS cards), are some of those old trainers still good?
Thanks.
 
Joefish19 said:
Thank you so much, that helps a lot. I haven't logged onto this site in over a year, and am just completely out of tune with the current format.

One more quick question, if that's okay. I still have all of my old cards (from right before Diamond and Pearl to HGSS cards), are some of those old trainers still good?
Thanks.
Click to expand...

The ones that have been reprinted in sets Black & White and on are still legal.
 
Brave Vesperia said:
Joefish19 said:
Thank you so much, that helps a lot. I haven't logged onto this site in over a year, and am just completely out of tune with the current format.

One more quick question, if that's okay. I still have all of my old cards (from right before Diamond and Pearl to HGSS cards), are some of those old trainers still good?
Thanks.
Click to expand...

The ones that have been reprinted in sets Black & White and on are still legal.
Click to expand...

Ok, thanks for the clarification :)
 
The easiest way to build a deck like people said is to buy singles. It wouldn't to buy like 2 mewtwo tins either. Mewtwo EX is in almost every deck, and you will have a small chance to pull a catcher out of the 1-2 Emerging Powers packs that comes in it. You can also do the same thing if your planning on using Darkrai EX who is very good. That will also give you a chance to pull good cards that people would be interested in trading some staples for but like I said your best bet is to buy singles. I would go to ebay and change your search settings to buy it now and price/shipping= lowest first. You should be able to find playsets of most cards you need for 3-6$ for a set of 4. Catcher is the exclusion however as those will run you generally about 50$ a playset. Hope this helped and feel free to pm me/post any other questions your have! {D}
 
If I were you...

Do not buy Keldeo EX as a single card right now.

He's coming in tins in the spring, and will be much cheaper then. Heads up! Glad you're returning to the game.

List of must-have Trainers (you won't need all of these, but it's nice to have these at your disposal when building a deck):
4x Juniper
4x N
2-3x Skyla
2-3x Cheren/Bianca
4x Pokémon Catcher
3x Switch
4x Ultra Ball
4x Level Ball
2x Max Potion
 
If you decide that you like the darkrai deck variants, the dark explorers theme deck includes a fair amount of staple trainers and pokemon in that deck for darkrai. I bought one to finish my deck (cards like: sableye x 3, bianca, Cheren, eviolite, dark patch, dark claw, energies).
 
Thanks for all the help. I bought some singles and packs, and posted my deck here. Any advice is appreciated.

anythingbutgrass said:
If you decide that you like the darkrai deck variants, the dark explorers theme deck includes a fair amount of staple trainers and pokemon in that deck for darkrai. I bought one to finish my deck (cards like: sableye x 3, bianca, Cheren, eviolite, dark patch, dark claw, energies).
Click to expand...

...I didn't even think to check the theme deck (never really bought any, since they weren't very good). Thanks for the tip! :D
 
Brave Vesperia said:
1. If you want to buy packs, (I strongly suggest getting singles instead, even if it costs more, it's worth it) get Emerging Powers, Noble Victories, Next Destinies, Dark Explorers, Dragons Exalted and Boundaries Crossed.

2. Darkrai EX varients, Keldeo EX/Blastoise, Eelektrik/Tornadus EX/Raikou EX/Aspertia City Gym, Ho-Oh EX varients, Big Basic decks, (decks that only use basics like Tornadus EX/Terrakion/Landorus EX/Mewtwo EX/Darkrai EX) are all good decks. Look for Hyrdeigon Dragons Exalted (the Ability one), Keldeo EX, Blastoise, Pokemon Catcher, Darkrai EX, Mewtwo EX, Tornadus EX, Bianca, Cheren, Professor Juniper, N, ect. No, starter decks are horrible and the only one I would buy is the Ice Shock one (the one with Black Kyurem) because it has a Blastoise.

3. {DRG} = Dragon Type.
Click to expand...
Don't get emerging powers. Terrible set.
 
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