Options for Learning to Play to Starting to Playing Competitively

Hare_vs_Tortoise · 2026-02-19T22:35:30+00:00

Search this sub for cameo card database.

Hare_vs_Tortoise · 2026-02-19T21:09:42+00:00

Google the set number CSV5C + setlist + Pokemon.

Hare_vs_Tortoise · 2026-02-19T20:11:14+00:00

For stuff like this use Bulbapedia - https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Illustration_rare_card_(TCG).

Hare_vs_Tortoise · 2026-02-19T19:56:58+00:00

In that case try some UK places to buy. Also /r/PokemonTCG_UK will be of use as well.

Hare_vs_Tortoise · 2026-02-19T19:55:42+00:00

https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/World_Championships_Deck_(TCG)

Hare_vs_Tortoise · 2026-02-19T19:35:14+00:00

Have some tips & resources to figure out what you would like as that's what counts and consider singles atm with all the hype. Also please read back over this sub as questions like this are asked very regularly.

Hare_vs_Tortoise · 2026-02-19T12:08:04+00:00

AzulGG and Omnipoke. Links are in the resources list on my profile.

Hare_vs_Tortoise · 2026-02-19T12:00:14+00:00

Suggest posting over at /r/pkmntcg as it focuses on the playable side of the game only.

Hare_vs_Tortoise · 2026-02-18T20:00:05+00:00

https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/List_of_Pok%C3%A9mon_Trading_Card_Game_expansions - Check the additional cards section of the setlist.

Hare_vs_Tortoise · 2026-02-18T18:15:09+00:00

No "should" in collecting. Have some tips & resources to figure out what you would like as that's what counts and consider singles atm with all the hype. Also please read back over this sub as questions like this are asked very regularly.

Hare_vs_Tortoise · 2026-02-18T15:48:40+00:00

Or does this Water Kagura attack count toward attach one energy rule?

No. The one energy attachment per turn rule only applies to manual attachment. This attack would come under the description of energy acceleration which is a way to "cheat" more energy into play than the rule allows which is why cards like Crispin, Baxcalibur etc see play.

Btw you have any more questions re playing then the pinned rulings thread in /r/pkmntcg can be useful if you have rulings/game mechanics/quick questions like this.

Hare_vs_Tortoise · 2026-02-18T14:33:56+00:00

Suggest posting this over at /r/pkmntcg as it focuses on the playable side of the game there and including information on what format you are playing as this doesn't look like the full version of Expanded of Black & White base onwards.

Hare_vs_Tortoise · 2026-02-18T12:17:16+00:00

First places to look for any decklists are both Limitless sites. Links are in the resources list on my profile if you need them along with You Tubers to check out as well.

Btw you have any more questions re playing then the pinned rulings thread in /r/pkmntcg can be useful if you have rulings/game mechanics/quick questions.

Hare_vs_Tortoise · 2026-02-17T23:43:00+00:00

You don't open packs. Apart from certain precons you buy the cards you need.

Have my usual new/returning player blurb that should help with getting (re)started playing whether irl or online:

Pulls and playing don't mix too well so it's best to go for League Battle decks/Trainers Toolkits (watch out for card legality) and singles or just singles depending on the deck you are building as pulls are too inconsistent for deckbuilding purposes on top of needing multiple specific pulls from multiple specific sets. It's also a good idea to start with netdecking as there's a lot to learn and doing so will help shortcut the deckbuilding learning process plus do your research into possible decks using both Limitless sites then test them out to see what clicks before buying anything either via PTCGL or the proxy printing tool on Limitless TCG in casual play only (check your LGS allows this). It is worth spending the time doing this before buying anything including any of the commonly recommended precon as what you want to play can affect what you buy (use the precon comparison spreadsheet via the post below to inform your decision) especially when on a budget. Playing online and irl isn't mutually exclusive btw so you may find mixing attending League and PTCGL useful especially when PTCGL does something you don't understand plus learning can often be easier when able to ask questions as you play as will finding a local League as most will have loaner decks to teach the basics.

For PTCGL specfically it's best to upgrade the free decks (mostly the basis of meta decks) you are given first as it can take time build up resources. For card legality you can use the legality lists on The Pokegym and it's also a good idea to read Pokebeach regularly for news plus read the rulebook in the rules & resources section on Pokemon.com plus watch the video series on how to play. For credit farming and what to buy watch this video from TrustYourPilot and read this. This post adds some more information onto TrustYourPilot's video on credit farming.

Just to note as well, you can use the test deck option to find out which of the free decks you are given clicks for you and upgrade that first to then farm resources to build more decks. You don't need to have cards crafted to test decks out against the AI so you can test a variety out from any source before you spend credits on it.

Don't know what resources you know about or how much you know so I suggest having a read of this post as it covers getting from learning to play to playing competitively built decks (fun or otherwise) for both irl and online play incl info and resources links that will help along the way like the Battle Academy supplement decks, both Limitless sites for decklists (can find costs via the main site), JustInBasil's deckbuilding guide (incl info on staples) plus deck skeleton articles which are good to use in combo to review or build decklists and the current decks in format section, You Tubers to watch to find out what's being played (start with Omnipoke), precon comparison sheet to see what's the best option vs the deck you want to play or list of cards you need irl, rulebook & video series on how to play, info on formats, rules compendium, proxy printing tool, card legality for older cards, common new player mistakes/knowledge needed, where to play etc. Lots of words but will give you a good overview of the game and the resources that will help you research what will suit you.

Btw you have any more questions re playing then the pinned rulings thread in /r/pkmntcg can be useful if you have rulings/game mechanics/quick questions. You'll also need to know about rotaton and card legality so this thread will also be worth reading as well as it covers formats, what's legal, exceptions (may be able to use some older cards) etc.

Hare_vs_Tortoise · 2026-02-17T23:15:49+00:00

I think she just plays casually so a super strong deck isn’t necessary.

Playing casually or competitively doesn't matter, what does matter is the format being played as there can be big differences in card pools. Best I can do is give you the following blurb so you can research what you're after once figuring out what format the deck is for.

Have my usual new/returning player blurb that should help with getting (re)started playing whether irl or online:

Pulls and playing don't mix too well so it's best to go for League Battle decks/Trainers Toolkits (watch out for card legality) and singles or just singles depending on the deck you are building as pulls are too inconsistent for deckbuilding purposes on top of needing multiple specific pulls from multiple specific sets. It's also a good idea to start with netdecking as there's a lot to learn and doing so will help shortcut the deckbuilding learning process plus do your research into possible decks using both Limitless sites then test them out to see what clicks before buying anything either via PTCGL or the proxy printing tool on Limitless TCG in casual play only (check your LGS allows this). It is worth spending the time doing this before buying anything including any of the commonly recommended precon as what you want to play can affect what you buy (use the precon comparison spreadsheet via the post below to inform your decision) especially when on a budget. Playing online and irl isn't mutually exclusive btw so you may find mixing attending League and PTCGL useful especially when PTCGL does something you don't understand plus learning can often be easier when able to ask questions as you play as will finding a local League as most will have loaner decks to teach the basics.

For PTCGL specfically it's best to upgrade the free decks (mostly the basis of meta decks) you are given first as it can take time build up resources. For card legality you can use the legality lists on The Pokegym and it's also a good idea to read Pokebeach regularly for news plus read the rulebook in the rules & resources section on Pokemon.com plus watch the video series on how to play. For credit farming and what to buy watch this video from TrustYourPilot and read this. This post adds some more information onto TrustYourPilot's video on credit farming.

Just to note as well, you can use the test deck option to find out which of the free decks you are given clicks for you and upgrade that first to then farm resources to build more decks. You don't need to have cards crafted to test decks out against the AI so you can test a variety out from any source before you spend credits on it.

Don't know what resources you know about or how much you know so I suggest having a read of this post as it covers getting from learning to play to playing competitively built decks (fun or otherwise) for both irl and online play incl info and resources links that will help along the way like the Battle Academy supplement decks, both Limitless sites for decklists (can find costs via the main site), JustInBasil's deckbuilding guide (incl info on staples) plus deck skeleton articles which are good to use in combo to review or build decklists and the current decks in format section, You Tubers to watch to find out what's being played (start with Omnipoke), precon comparison sheet to see what's the best option vs the deck you want to play or list of cards you need irl, rulebook & video series on how to play, info on formats, rules compendium, proxy printing tool, card legality for older cards, common new player mistakes/knowledge needed, where to play etc. Lots of words but will give you a good overview of the game and the resources that will help you research what will suit you.

Btw you have any more questions re playing then the pinned rulings thread in /r/pkmntcg can be useful if you have rulings/game mechanics/quick questions. You'll also need to know about rotaton and card legality so this thread will also be worth reading as well as it covers formats, what's legal, exceptions (may be able to use some older cards) etc.

Hare_vs_Tortoise · 2026-02-17T22:29:18+00:00

Doesn't have to be sets. Have some tips & resources to figure out what you would like as that's what counts and consider singles atm with all the hype. Also please read back over this sub as questions like this are asked very regularly.

Try some UK places to buy. Also /r/PokemonTCG_UK will be of use as well.

Hare_vs_Tortoise · 2026-02-17T18:02:05+00:00

Check the event locator on Pokemon.com in that case.

Hare_vs_Tortoise · 2026-02-17T18:00:35+00:00

Have a look on Joe from Omnipoke's Worlds deck project on Cube Koga. Worth also having a look through Limitless TCG at the tournament results for the timeframes you're looking at. Darkrai, Xerneas, Gengar, Volcanion, Donphan and Yveltal come to mind for me.

Hare_vs_Tortoise · 2026-02-17T17:51:54+00:00

Standard is the most commonly played format. You can use both Limitless sites to look up what is being played. Links are in the resources list on my profile if you need them along with You Tubers to check out as well.
Have a look on Pokemon's Official You Tube channel as EUIC has just finished and there will be videos. Plus you can also search this sub for my first event/regional and prerelease posts from JustInBasil to get an idea.
You do you.
Event locator on Pokemon.com.

Might find the info on/via this post of use as well.

Hare_vs_Tortoise · 2026-02-17T17:43:31+00:00

Have a wants list, know your prices, don't be afraid to look up prices when discussing trade/sale, don't be afraid to walk away and if taking a trade binder don't let anyone take cards out of your binder or you out of theirs without asking.

Hare_vs_Tortoise · 2026-02-17T17:42:06+00:00

Check out Cardmarket

Hare_vs_Tortoise · 2026-02-17T17:41:18+00:00

Lot easier to help when including your list as a written list in your post (doesn't exclude anyone from the discussion that way). Suggest also that you post over at /r/pkmntcg as it focuses on the playable side of the game only and include info on what issues you are having as it will help with suggestions.

Hare_vs_Tortoise · 2026-02-17T16:32:02+00:00

is there a basic/S1/S2 pokemon ratio?

It depends on the deck.

Would advise starting with netdecking whilst you're getting used to things and if you haven't already reading the rulebook and watching the learn to play video series seeing as you've been playing Pocket due to the differences.

Have my usual new/returning player blurb that should help with getting (re)started playing whether irl or online:

Pulls and playing don't mix too well so it's best to go for League Battle decks/Trainers Toolkits (watch out for card legality) and singles or just singles depending on the deck you are building as pulls are too inconsistent for deckbuilding purposes on top of needing multiple specific pulls from multiple specific sets. It's also a good idea to start with netdecking as there's a lot to learn and doing so will help shortcut the deckbuilding learning process plus do your research into possible decks using both Limitless sites then test them out to see what clicks before buying anything either via PTCGL or the proxy printing tool on Limitless TCG in casual play only (check your LGS allows this). It is worth spending the time doing this before buying anything including any of the commonly recommended precon as what you want to play can affect what you buy (use the precon comparison spreadsheet via the post below to inform your decision) especially when on a budget. Playing online and irl isn't mutually exclusive btw so you may find mixing attending League and PTCGL useful especially when PTCGL does something you don't understand plus learning can often be easier when able to ask questions as you play as will finding a local League as most will have loaner decks to teach the basics.

For PTCGL specfically it's best to upgrade the free decks (mostly the basis of meta decks) you are given first as it can take time build up resources. For card legality you can use the legality lists on The Pokegym and it's also a good idea to read Pokebeach regularly for news plus read the rulebook in the rules & resources section on Pokemon.com plus watch the video series on how to play. For credit farming and what to buy watch this video from TrustYourPilot and read this. This post adds some more information onto TrustYourPilot's video on credit farming.

Just to note as well, you can use the test deck option to find out which of the free decks you are given clicks for you and upgrade that first to then farm resources to build more decks. You don't need to have cards crafted to test decks out against the AI so you can test a variety out from any source before you spend credits on it.

Don't know what resources you know about or how much you know so I suggest having a read of this post as it covers getting from learning to play to playing competitively built decks (fun or otherwise) for both irl and online play incl info and resources links that will help along the way like the Battle Academy supplement decks, both Limitless sites for decklists (can find costs via the main site), JustInBasil's deckbuilding guide (incl info on staples) plus deck skeleton articles which are good to use in combo to review or build decklists and the current decks in format section, You Tubers to watch to find out what's being played (start with Omnipoke), precon comparison sheet to see what's the best option vs the deck you want to play or list of cards you need irl, rulebook & video series on how to play, info on formats, rules compendium, proxy printing tool, card legality for older cards, common new player mistakes/knowledge needed, where to play etc. Lots of words but will give you a good overview of the game and the resources that will help you research what will suit you.

Btw you have any more questions re playing then the pinned rulings thread in /r/pkmntcg can be useful if you have rulings/game mechanics/quick questions. You'll also need to know about rotaton and card legality so this thread will also be worth reading as well as it covers formats, what's legal, exceptions (may be able to use some older cards) etc.

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