Beginner collector needs help!

[bdmst16]

Brand new to Pokemon TCG and need guidance!!

Hi all - I have a 4 1/2 year old who is heads over heels for Pokemon - which I think is awesome since I grew up with Red/Blue. I'm thinking on tipping my toes into the Pokemon TCG at this point solely for collecting. I never collected the cards back in the day so the whole world of Holos - reverse Holos - rares - all that is foreign to me. I would like to try to start teaching her the basics of the game mechanics - but at this age it might be a little over her head.

My question is what is the best route to start collecting knowing that we might start playing at a later date?

I've been looking at the Elite Trainer box since we have nothing and this sounds like a good deal to start of on. Is that correct? Do I try to pick up the X&Y trainer box (having a hard time finding it still) - or do I pick up the Furious Fist trainer box?

I didn't think the themed decks would be good at this point since we will be just trying to collect the cards now - not worried about playing. What about booster boxes?

Thanks for any guidance!!!!

 

[break]

@bdmst16

hello there and it is great to hear you are taking a dive into the world of Pokemon TCG !!

since you are just starting...i would not worry over "rarity" just yet.

if you are just looking to start collection cards...i suggest picking up one of these :

http://www.trollandtoad.com/p1056333.html


if you are just looking to teach her how to play the game...i suggest picking up one of these :

http://www.trollandtoad.com/p1052696.html

also, you can refer to this "tower" to see which sets of cards are legal for play :

http://pokegym.net/tower/

hmm...but, if you have the money, booster boxes are a sure way to get a nice collection of cards :

http://www.trollandtoad.com/p1056323.html

these choices are really up to how much you want to invest in the game.

 

[bdmst16]

Thanks break - I was pretty sure that the trainer box would be the way to go. I just wasn't sure if I should go with the base set or furious fists.

What would I be missing out on if I started with the Furious Fists trainer box vs the Base Trainer box? I'm assuming that each expansion only includes cards from it's expansion - and does not include cards from the previous expansions (ie, Furious Fists would not include any cards from the base set or from Flash Fire)?

Since I started on Red/Blue - I would love to pick up Blastoise - which is in the base X&Y set - correct? But of course everyone needs Charizard - which would be only in Flash Fire. Is that even remotely correct?

 

[SMP88]

The difference between Elite Trainer Boxes are which packs are in them (it will always be 8 of whatever set is on the box) and what design is on all the other stuff (dice, sleeves and dividers).

You're correct in that Blastoise is in XY and Charizard is in Flashfire. If you're looking to get a Blastoise there should be someone at a league or event that has one for trade, and since it's not a card that's played much, it should be fairly easy to trade for.

 

[eessheee]

Hey man! currently I believe that the prices have dipped down a bit so it would be the perfect time to pick upa charizard ex Full Art. it should be around 20 dollars, and im not sure but I think that in a few months that card will start to increase in value

as for collecting, it depends on what you want to collect. do you only want the FULL ARTS? the ULTRA RARES? or the complete set?
for Full arts and ultra rares, buying singles would be better. for completing the set, id pick up a booster box and buy whatever you lack in singles hope it helps!