=O
First thing:
Thank you! Such precise, concise, and useful info (not easy to find out anywhere!)
=)
Now...ok...so...mmmm....
So they randomly ban sets from Modified (T2)?
They like to rotate around 4-6 sets, always the oldests
So they already did that I guess right?
Newest season began on September 1st
So it would be safe to assume that getting black & white expansions, all is good?
Current format includes Black and White, Emerging Powers, Noble Victories, Next Destinies, Dark Explorers and Dragons Exalted
The other expansions that are currently off from Modified, price drops dramatically?
Its all supply and demand. Most of the cards will not be in demand anymore so their price will drop. A few cards may hold their value for whatever reason. Packs and sealed product can actually increase in value since there is no longer any printings of those cards
Would it be safe to assume, that, for casual game play, it would be better (money wise) to buy from the other sets since they are not been playing like that?
Depends what you mean by casual. Do you just want to have a few decks to play with close friends and family? Do you care about quality? Do you want to start collecting?
The cheapest investment would be to buy a couple of pre-constructed theme decks and play that way. Pre-cons are around 10-12 dollars. You could also buy World Championship decks. They arent legal for official tournaments but they can give you an insight to what a top-level deck might look like.
I'd really suggest locating a league near you. They have all types of players, competitive and casual, and are a good place to make friends, trade cards and earn cool promos.
How likely (in your experience, based on previous rotations) are the other sets meant to "return"?
Not likely. There have been 4 times we've had a reprint set(correct me if I'm forgetting any). Base Set 2, Legendary Collection, Power Keepers and Call of Legends. In many cases, these sets did not correspond with any set released in Japan and many players complained about the reprints. Trainers, Supporters and Stadiums are more likely than Pokemon to be reprinted, though this trend may be ending as we are seeing many cards being released as with the same effects as old cards but with different names(Gust of Wind = Pokemon Catcher, Warp Point = Escape Rope, etc). I wouldn't hold your breath hoping that any old cards you might buy would come back in format.
Is there something like a Legacy sets? That are not used anymore?
Theres unlimited, but very few people actually play it. There has been a rise in interest in crafting alternate unlimited formats or extended formats(see 150, Palace, etc) but none of those are really mainstream yet. Also there is a growing group of players who like to play old formats, either with World Championship Decks or with cards they happen to still have lying around.
Thanks!