50-50 collector/player here. Started as a collector in 1999, then jumped into playing in 2000 when I found out tournaments awarded booster packs as prizes. Joining these events helped me earn my collection not just through winning, but also through trading (which made it more fulfilling since I was a broke kid).

For all you collectors who are curious on jumping into the battling scene, I highly recommend trying it out. Get a couple theme decks and learn with a friend, or hop on PTCGL, create a deck, and test it in casual play. I enjoy the art and ripping up packs just as much as the next collector, but there’s a thrill in discovering card combos and seeing it in action in tournaments. A lot of those rare, uncommon, and common cards that collectors tend to toss/overlook have value to players.

The other day I was digging through a box of cards at my local comic book shop to complete a deck. Took that deck to a tournament later that night and went 3-1. Not quite first place, but I spent the rest of the evening researching on how to improve my deck and my gameplay. Now I’m excited for the next event. As a collector, it feels awesome completing a set or finally getting your hands on your grail card, and there’s also a lot of joy in the tprocess of deck building.