So, yesterday I obtained 40 Pokemon TCG Online codes. I went to spend them earlier this morning, but I couldn't decide which set to buy packs from. I thought about it for a long time, and eventually came up with a sort of formula to determine which packs were best for my collection, and decks. I'd like to share this formula with you.
On Pokemon Online, I turned on "Show All" in my collection, and then added to the "My Wanted" list all of the cards I would like to get in packs. I restricted this list to cards that I want specifically; obviously I would be happy getting any secret rare, but as the odds of this happening don't tend to fluctuate between sets very much, I just added the ones that I was actively looking for. I added these cards multiple times, to match the amount I wanted. Obviously, I don't need more than 4 of any single card, and some that I already have copies of, or don't run 4 of, I need even less.
So, to start off, you could do the same, either online, adding things to your "My Wanted" binder, or by finding a list of all the cards from all of the sets you're picking between, and making a list in notepad. At this point, also write down the set and rarity.
Here was my list after going through all 52 pages of Pokemon cards, sorting them by set (Omitting unobtainable promos and deck cards):
At this point, I was pretty much positive that Noble Victories was the best option, but, for "fun", and to decide what I'd do in the case of a tie, I went further. If you want to stop here, just add up the numbers for each set, highest number determines what packs you get. When you get one of the cards you want, you can adjust the numbers to determine if the packs you've been getting are still the most valuable, but I don't have the patience.
Here's the totals so far:
HeartGold SoulSilver = 28
Unleashed = 19
Undaunted = 21
Triumphant = 20
Call of Legends = 26
Black and White = 11
Emerging Powers = 17
Noble Victories = 81!
That seems accurate, based on what I know already. I am a bit surprised Call of Legends came in thirds, but other than that, pretty much matches the order I would have put them in. BW is such low value, despite being an amazing set, because I've been picking their packs, making some of the better cards in the set, Reuniclus, Emboar, Juniper, Reshiram, Emboar, Zoroark, etc worthless to me.
In any case, I multiplied each value by how much I wanted it, on a scale of one to five. This puts the maximum value is 20, meaning I want 4 of them really badly, and the minimum at 1, meaning I barely want 1 copy. You can also multiply by rarity as well. 4 for common, 3 for uncommon, 2 for rare, and 1 for secret rare. This is so you don't end up buying packs where you only need the secret rares, when you could be buying packs you need commons from. You'll probably rate less rare cards lower on the "want" scale anyway, so this sort of makes up for that.
Here's my list after multiplying as stated, plus the totals.
Which again, tells us that Noble Victories is first, HeartGold Soulsilver is second, and Call of Legends is third. This step may have been pointless for me, but it might not be for you, depending on what cards you need.
Looking at the list above, we see what we already know: The packs with the best trainers are the best. Collector and DCE are both worth 48 points, with PONT at 36. Meanwhile, even sought after secret rares don't raise the value of a set too much. An uncommon is worth the same as a rare and a secret rare, assuming you need the same amount of each, and want them all the equally.
As with most formulas regarding subjective matters, keep in mind that this won't always help. If, for example, a set is going to be rotated the next day, its cards become worthless. Perhaps you included this in your "want" values, maybe you didn't. Take all of this with a grain of salt. Also, who knows whether my numbers are right, there's no way to tell. I just came up with this on the fly for myself, I have no idea how helpful it will be.
For the record, if you know the set list of an upcoming set, there's nothing stopping you from using this to determine whether you should get cards now, or wait until the new set is released.
Anyway, that's it! I hope it's been helpful. Let me know what you think of it, and if you have any advice towards making it more accurate.
On Pokemon Online, I turned on "Show All" in my collection, and then added to the "My Wanted" list all of the cards I would like to get in packs. I restricted this list to cards that I want specifically; obviously I would be happy getting any secret rare, but as the odds of this happening don't tend to fluctuate between sets very much, I just added the ones that I was actively looking for. I added these cards multiple times, to match the amount I wanted. Obviously, I don't need more than 4 of any single card, and some that I already have copies of, or don't run 4 of, I need even less.
So, to start off, you could do the same, either online, adding things to your "My Wanted" binder, or by finding a list of all the cards from all of the sets you're picking between, and making a list in notepad. At this point, also write down the set and rarity.
Here was my list after going through all 52 pages of Pokemon cards, sorting them by set (Omitting unobtainable promos and deck cards):
At this point, I was pretty much positive that Noble Victories was the best option, but, for "fun", and to decide what I'd do in the case of a tie, I went further. If you want to stop here, just add up the numbers for each set, highest number determines what packs you get. When you get one of the cards you want, you can adjust the numbers to determine if the packs you've been getting are still the most valuable, but I don't have the patience.
Here's the totals so far:
HeartGold SoulSilver = 28
Unleashed = 19
Undaunted = 21
Triumphant = 20
Call of Legends = 26
Black and White = 11
Emerging Powers = 17
Noble Victories = 81!
That seems accurate, based on what I know already. I am a bit surprised Call of Legends came in thirds, but other than that, pretty much matches the order I would have put them in. BW is such low value, despite being an amazing set, because I've been picking their packs, making some of the better cards in the set, Reuniclus, Emboar, Juniper, Reshiram, Emboar, Zoroark, etc worthless to me.
In any case, I multiplied each value by how much I wanted it, on a scale of one to five. This puts the maximum value is 20, meaning I want 4 of them really badly, and the minimum at 1, meaning I barely want 1 copy. You can also multiply by rarity as well. 4 for common, 3 for uncommon, 2 for rare, and 1 for secret rare. This is so you don't end up buying packs where you only need the secret rares, when you could be buying packs you need commons from. You'll probably rate less rare cards lower on the "want" scale anyway, so this sort of makes up for that.
Here's my list after multiplying as stated, plus the totals.
Which again, tells us that Noble Victories is first, HeartGold Soulsilver is second, and Call of Legends is third. This step may have been pointless for me, but it might not be for you, depending on what cards you need.
Looking at the list above, we see what we already know: The packs with the best trainers are the best. Collector and DCE are both worth 48 points, with PONT at 36. Meanwhile, even sought after secret rares don't raise the value of a set too much. An uncommon is worth the same as a rare and a secret rare, assuming you need the same amount of each, and want them all the equally.
As with most formulas regarding subjective matters, keep in mind that this won't always help. If, for example, a set is going to be rotated the next day, its cards become worthless. Perhaps you included this in your "want" values, maybe you didn't. Take all of this with a grain of salt. Also, who knows whether my numbers are right, there's no way to tell. I just came up with this on the fly for myself, I have no idea how helpful it will be.
For the record, if you know the set list of an upcoming set, there's nothing stopping you from using this to determine whether you should get cards now, or wait until the new set is released.
Anyway, that's it! I hope it's been helpful. Let me know what you think of it, and if you have any advice towards making it more accurate.
