My son is starting to collect pokemon cards

[SanDiegoDentist]

Hello everyone! My 6 year old son is starting to collect pokemon cards. Right now, he likes watching The sun and Moon, Ultra Series. Since there are so many types of pokemon cards, I was thinking of just getting the Sun and Moon cards for him first. How do I get him the complete set of Sun and Moon cards ? If I get all rhe booster cards, do we already get the complete set? Or do I also need to get the training cards? What's the deal with the GX, EX, holo and tin cards? Can you please help me? I want to get him the complete set of authentic cards but I want to get the cheapest way possible by avoiding duplicates if possible. Thanks!

[Chasista]

Actually, the game itself it's a trading card game.

 

Any booster pack or Elite box doesn't guarantees a card or other. Any tin or bundle box, only guarantees what's in front and written at the box (e.g.- "Machamp GX spring box", you'll get a Machamp GX, you can see it). But all the boosters included, not only are not all from same set, but cards contained are random.

 

Best option to get a full set is with the Booster boxes. They come 36 packs. I think they're around 80$. Pokémon cards are not cheap! And although you get a lot of cards, still contains booster packs = no guarantees. But average pulls is around 1 ultra rare (GX/EX, Full art or so) every 6 packs more or less (it varies every set and it's not a thing Pokémon does, it's a statistic people makes).

 

So the only way to get 1 card of each with no repeating, is going to a shop and buy every single card at a price. This is good for players needing powerful GX to play, but I think in collecting, you'll find the best way following the spirit of the game: Trading.

[Felidae_]

There are a couple of questions we'll need to answer first.

 

Let's start with the obvious one: does your son only want to collect cards, or does he want to play with them as well (play as in the actual game)? This is primarily a card game and I find it hard to believe that a 6 year old wouldn't be interesting in playing with said cards.

 

If the former is the case I'd suggest buying two Theme Decks from the latest series and a booster Box. The Theme decks are a great way to introduce someone to the game and booster serve as a nice way to increase your collection and to improve your deck.

 

If you are looking to simply collect them we have a different question to answer: What to you want to collect exactly ? I'm asking this, because when it comes to collecting there aren't right or wrong rules. Some may only collect the Pokemon, other collect Pokemon and Trainer cards and others may want to have every card in every available form (normal, holo, reverse holo, full art, secret rare, etc.).

Once again I doubt that a 6 year old would have a sophisticated concept on how exactly his collection is supposed to look like. I'd probably argue that collecting only the Pokemon and the Supporter cards is the best course of action here, as they are easily recognisable if you watch the show (at least I'd assume that, haven't watched Pokemon in nearly 20 years).

[Dave230]

Word of advice tins and promo boxes elite trainers don't expect to get a whole lot. Sometimes it's hit and miss in terms of value. Im a card collector first. Hard to break even too. I have gotten more out of three pack promo boxes for 12 bucks than the elite trainer boxes at 40 dollars a pop.

Edited November 27, 2018 by Dave230

[SanDiegoDentist]

Thank you so much for the very helpful and knowledgeable advice.. My son is just into collecting right now. He finds pleasure in reading the cards and showing it to everyone. I really appreciate that you took the time to help me out since I am a newbie at this and I would really to to give my son an awesome Christmas gift. Thank you so much and merry christmas!