4 Months into the Pokemon TCG - the Highs, the Lows & the Learnings!!

[@NathanBays]

I love your channel and all your videos so much. This one was a lot of fun! Thanks for all the work and care you put into making such great, entertaining, and educational content.

[@raymyers700]

Long time MTG player here...Your pick is spot on awesome. You have one that has a LOT of history and is NOT going anywhere. It has a great community and just rock solid. You will find that BG and CCG mindsets do not mix and people like you guys and myself are rare: where we like both. Boardgamers just do not understand the allure. They HATE the idea of buying packs and getting random cards but they don't understand THAT is part of excitement. Same with deckbuilding. I played MTG exclusively from 94-01 and there is SO much variety in decks that it still feels like a great gaming experience for me. You guys will LOVE it! I'm calling that you will be doing some Pokemon content mixed in with your regular very soon! :D

[@jeffarysonnentag3497]

Same here...boardgaming since 1985 with over 600 to the collection, then my grandson early last year says "Papa wanna play some pokemon?" and now we have a regular pokemon game night where he continually schools me in deck building. It's brought us really close and we enjoy pack opening and playing. Collecting seems to be secondary for the both of us, trading high value cards for more playable ones. Honestly I did have prior experience in CCG's with early adopting in the 90's. Magic, Rage, Star Wars, Overpower, Wyvern, Star Trek the next gen....the new shiny was always on deck with my friend group but as everyone knows it's hard to beat the king of CCG (MTG) so most went into a storage bin and this is where they sit today.

[@ThinkerThemer]

That's sooo lovely that it's brought you and your grandson closer. We actually play with a friend and his son and it's really bonded them as well. How wonderful that something can stretch across generations. I find that with card games more broadly - like trick taking games. They really bring our family together. 600 games! That's an impressive collection! Thank you for watching and for sharing this 😊

[@someonemagical]

This is a great explainer for gamers like me who have grown up around the Pokemon TCG but never deep dived into it. Very informative!

[@pikapomelo]

Our local Pokemon community is so incredibly friendly. Started playing in person about a year ago and it's great. The prerelease tournaments are really low stakes and i find them particularly fun. And... Of course I spent a lot on these cards... And boxes... And mats... Tomokazu Komiya is the best! Aside: I had a bad experience in a tcg tournament against a 40 year old when I was 10. Now that I'm almost 40, I make sure to never be that person.

[@garyfaust6769]

This has been very fair and helpful. Thank you for your coverage. I have a much better understanding. I appreciate your caution about getting into this game.

[@Pokepri]

Okay this is wild - I’ve essentially followed the same timeline as y’all, getting into the Pokémon TCG around April. During a trip, one of my friends busted out some pre-built starter Pokemon decks and we had an absolute blast playing them. I felt so much nostalgia as I’d collected the cards as a kid and love Pokemon, but now approaching the game after being into deep, strategic board games - whew, I knew this was going to be my new hobby. I grabbed the Gardevoir and Miraidon League Battle decks to play with my partner as a head-to-head board game and had a blast. Once I took the plunge and went to my first local Pokémon league, I was absolutely hooked into the competitive side… and the rest is history haha. It’s been a few months since we’ve gone back and played some strategy board games 😅 As a side note for anyone wanting to get into the game - the Level 3 League Battle decks that the Pokemon Company makes are a perfect entry point. There’s a Charizard ex battle deck coming out in November and is chock full of competitive cards, and is definitely my #1 recommendation to start with! What decks have you been enjoying the most?

[@kestrel5]

This video is compelling me to get back in Pokemon TCG so much! I got gym badges from being in my local league when I was a kid.

[@miisomini4517]

This video is so entertaining, your humor so infectious, thank you so much! I was at exactly the same point a year ago. I was trying to figure out how to get started with Pokémon. Our son started collecting and trading Pokemon cards at school. As “old” TCG players (besides board games we have been playing Magic in a casual way for ages) we wanted to get to the core of the game system and learn the rules with him so that the focus is not just on collecting, but above all on playing. I came across a good starter set, the Pokemon Battle Academy. You are guided step by step through the rules and can build on them. Now, after watching your video, I really want to get out our decks again! BTW, we've been playing (and collecting) the new TCG Star Wars Unlimited for half a year now, which is a really good game and we can now “grow with it”. Really a recommendation if you find Magic a bit overwhelming. But as you said, having fun and find the right spot is the most important thing! Keep up the great content which ist alway so fun to watch!

[@cjfreddy]

Love this! I got into the Pokemon TCG last year with the 151 set and have been playing standard regularly since at my local league with a group of 4 of us. It's been an absolute blast, Pokemon has a lot of randomness to it but overall I love how accessible and hype the hobby is, everyone loves Pokemon so much and it's fun to play the game and do well when you start to mitigate all the RNG it can have and do well. If you get tired of standard, I highly recommend looking into the Gym Leader Challenge (GLC) format. It's basically Pokemon's version of singleton, it's not super official but it's picking up popularity and I'm just now getting into it. The basics are that you can only have 1 copy of a card and you can only use one type of pokemon (only grass, dark, metal, water, etc.). The pool of cards is HUGE but the decks are extremely interesting.

[@burthoovis895]

I got into it with my son and one of his favorite things we've done so far is playing in the Max Raids Battles at Gen Con. Definitely worth considering when you book events!

[@rolling.reggie]

took me a week to watch this but I loved hearing all of your thoughts! MTG and Lorcana are my TCGs of choice. The biggest similarity for me is that it has taken so much time away from my board games. Just tonight I was editing 4 of my Magic decks while listening LOL P.S. looking at that binder...y'all are in DEEP hahaha praying for your wallets

[@CascadaaXx]

Love this video, I'm also just getting back into the Pokemon TCG as a huge fan of the video games. Please keep taking us along with your Pokemon journey!

[@funkula1702]

Its wild to see you two get into Pokemon! Looks like you're both having a lot of fun, but personally I cant touch the stuff anymore. That pack slot machine is a slippery slope for me. Instead, ill mention another game that plays just like a tcg, but doesn't have the random pack gambling. Ever look into Ashes Reborn?! The art is amazing and when you buy a pack, you know what you're getting. You might say similar to the lcg model from FF. The game is primarily competitive like MTG and Pokemon, but they do now have a way to play solo! Take a look! Thanks for the great content as always!

[@allenlin78]

Thanks for sharing Amy and Maggie! Awesome to know a bit more about Pokémon cards and universe 🎉 it makes board games seem relatively more economical! 😂

[@ThinkerThemer]

It does... who would've thought 😂😂😂😂

[@jameskirk4692]

Thank you both very much for this sharing of your experiences and what you learned. It was very nice to hear and useful. I myself have never experienced any TCG. I had some Pokemon cards when I was very young, but I had no idea what they are for and how the game is actually played (now I think it would have bewn great if I actually new and was trying it out). If I am gonna try some TCG, I would love to try Altered. That new TCG is very cool to me.

[@boardgameswiththomas]

This was an unexpected yet fantastic video! I also started checking out different TCGs a while back and while none really stuck (mainly due to time like y'all), Pokemon was my favorite to play. I didn't care for Magic and Yu-Gi-Oh due to their more complex rules and cards but Pokemon is one I could see myself getting back into. KeyForge while not technically a TCG is still one of my favorite TCG adjacent games and one I'd recommend to check out (unique decks, no deck construction, solo/co-op adventures, and a new 3-5 player format)

[@ThinkerThemer]

We've been recommended KeyForge a few times now! We'll have to check it out!! Thanks for watching and sharing your TCG experiences 😊

[@JDGartandmusic]

​@@ThinkerThemer I also highly recommend KeyForge a try! KeyForge was my first CCG that I got into and I still play it very regularly! Something about being able to just open a ready-to-play deck with a unique combination of cards and trying to figure out how it works while you play it for the first time is such a great experience. I love how each deck really does feel unique with its own way of playing, discovering card interactions and combos, and how different decks play against each other. Community has been so great to be a part of with lots of people being involved in hosting in-person events, online leagues, content creators, podcasts, etc. It's been super cool to meet people in real life that I've played or interacted with online. There's also many formats available to try (even a semi constructed format where you combine 1-3 decks), so something for everyone, both official and community made/supported. If you want to get some cheap decks, Age of Ascension is a set that is often on sale for maybe around $20-30 per display (12 decks), and people often sell opened second-hand decks for like $1/deck too.

[@charlesdeoliveira852]

Damn you're not kidding when you say DEEP hahah it's also so interesting to see your journey around TCG. I had the exact opposite path. I started playing TCGs (I think I've played all the main ones already, both fisically an digitally), then I got into table top games with cards, then heavier table top games, and today I'm launching my first board game crowd funding 😅

[@ThinkerThemer]

Hahaha sounds like your path was equally deep, if not deeper. All the best for your crowd funding campaign!!!

[@charlesdeoliveira852]

​ @ThinkerThemer haha I agree, and thank you so much!! It's been a long journey but I'm super excited about it, and the best part is that it's fully funded already 🤩really couldn't ask for more as a newcomer

[@dennisrussell3040]

I’ve never played Pokémon but I love this video and hearing your experience. Thanks.

[@zomb_nom]

This was a fun video! :) I've always eyed the Pokemon TCG packs I've seen, agreed they really are beautiful compared to cards of old (which is what I used to collect as a kid) - I almost want to buy them just to have their art on the shelves haha. The competitiveness and EI in TCGs you talked on is the exact thing that makes them not for me from what I've experienced with Magic the Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh. Between high barrier to entry and needing a vast knowledge of the game, as well as the specialized competitive nature to the deck building, made for some not-so-positive experiences with my local communities. Meanwhile with board games I've had a very different experience. The community feels so uplifting. There's a constant positive mentality all centered of having a fun experience, and I love that everyone coming to the game starts on the same level/even playing field (outside of more advanced strategies - which I also typically don't game with groups or games that have that). :) ...that doesn't mean I've ever gotten rid of my Magic or Yu-Gi-Oh decks though hahaha. Happy to hear you have had such a fantastic experience though, makes me hopeful the Pokemon TCG community could be a more positive swing for TCG in general!

[@ThinkerThemer]

Thanks for sharing your experiences!!! We're often playing next to other TCGs which do sometimes seem a little more intense and intimidating. I think Pokemon attracts a lot of people that love the cuteness which makes for quite a friendly crowd. I (Amy here) still have a mixed relationship with what the direct head to head gameplay triggers in me. I'm not sure it brings out my best self lol. Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences 😊

[@dysorder]

It's funny that this mirrors my "down the rabbit hole" from board gaming into MTG, even down to the 4 month timeline. 😅 I'd checked out Pokémon TCG before but the game itself didn't grab me so much. The game aspect (and the different game formats) of MTG definitely hit a chord with me and then fell down the rabbit hole of the set releases. I find myself somewhere in the middle of the two of you where I'm at with Magic - still invested but knowing the limits of what I want to spend and continue with. It's such a slippery slope and I can only chase the Raised Foils of Bloomburrow so much! Thanks for the video and the insights of the Pokemon TCG world!

[@pedrofanti]

I played (not only collected) for years back when I was a kid (1998) and got back into it this year. I'm going through my bulk from yesterday's pre-release now so I'm pleasantly surprised y'all posted this video. hahah

[@df15ch13]

Oh, and on the contrary, I REALLY REALLY ENJOY THIS VIDEO! I do share your enthusiasm! 🥳🥳

[@Manny-M]

What a perfect video! I've always been a fan of the video games, having played since the very first game. And I enjoyed the original indigo league series... but I was always a little older than the general demographic so the other aspects to the franchise never grabbed me. That also changed for me this year, when my son (7) started bringing back cards he had received from friends at school... which lead to more cards, trades, and fake cards. Determined to educate him on what to look out for in trades, I spent a lot of time doing research, being bombarded by overtly loud pack openers with millions of followers. But I got there in the end. It was actually at Playcon this year that we popped over to EB games in our break and I bought him his first official pack (you might have seen the feature BGBBQ did on him attending the con, and he's holding that pack in the photos). When we pulled his first illustration rare from that pack.... BOOM... i was done. Hook, line, sinker. He's since received a mountain of packs, some ETBs etc and we're playing the level 1 variant of the game but will be moving up very soon!

[@jbonetim3759]

Great Video! Was great hearing your story. I fell in a little over a year ago 🙃

[@df15ch13]

OMG Amy+Maggie, my jaw dropped when this vid dropped n I read the title hahah! Such a pleasant surprise though, knowing that both of Ü enjoy Pokémon TCG! I've fallen into that rabbit hole long before I got into boardgaming though, n have to say that both could be addictive enough to make me spiral down into an endless abyss of spending.. I'm glad to say that I've escaped it n have no intentions to come back to it anytime 🔜 😅😅

[@Sreehammer]

This was a fun video! I always appreciate how much time you spend playing games before doing a video (especially this one with 4 months!). I just bought a Lorcana starter deck so let's see if I fall down the rabbit hole too haha. I used to play Pokemon as a kid and wish I still had those cards (including a 1st edition Charizard!)

[@ThinkerThemer]

Oh thank you for the lovely feedback! Interested to hear how you go with Lorcana... especially as an ex pokemon player....!

[@SappyNoypi]

I’m so happy I found a queer board game channel like yours. This video was recommended to me probably because I play PTCGL and gay lmao I started to play PCTG when I was a teenager with my classmates back in the Base Set 2 era. I stopped then dabbled a little bit during the Black and White era. Then stopped again. Haven’t come back because it is expensive and I have no one to play with anymore. But then PCTGL came and that was perfect for me. I can play whenever I want and not worry about spending too much. I am excited for the PCTG Pocket. Thanks for sharing your PTCG journey with us 😊

[@ThinkerThemer]

Ohhh yay welcome to the channel!! Although this is definitely an unusual video for us! 😅 PCTG Pocket looks so interesting... I am wondering how expensive it's going to be to "rip" packs and how they will manage pulls etc. We'll no doubt be giving it a try!

[@staceyyamada8072]

was very surprised to see this video when it popped up in my sub feed 😆happy for you you two to embrace the pokemon tcg! i was deep into mostly collecting and casually played at a local league when they were with WotC. i still have the binders stored away. once in a great while buy packs to get that satisfaction of opening packs 🤣

[@ThinkerThemer]

OoooOOoo " still have the binders stored away" brings me collector's joy and wonder about what's in there! The retirement plan? Lol 😆

[@bettermoodboardgames]

The intro to this video though!!! So good!

[@astrothelad]

As someone who doesn't actually usually like competitive games, competitive deckbuilders are truly thrilling. It's just too bad that you sort of need to build up an audience over years because the result is that that foundations are super creaky after a while. Pokemon truly plays like a game made in the 90s, and Magic to a much lesser extent (though funny enough it's not even one of Garfield's top 5 games from a quality perspective at this point, and Netrunner is his best competitive deckbuilder by far). So I just play Marvel Snap instead. :P But love your journey!

[@redbirdbluesong]

I've always avoided tcg's because of the money involved and I'm not into head to head so much or the playing in competitions side. But deck construction is sooo much fun. My daughter was obsessed with everything Pokemon for a few years. It started with the excitement of opening a few blister packs, then prebuilt decks so we could actually play the game. Then when I started playing with making decks from scratch we suddenly had a huge collection. Of course now it goes unplayed since my daughter grew out of her obsession, but she still nostalgia buys packs just for the fun of it. I never enjoyed not knowing what we'd get and getting repeats or unusable evolutions and we've never pulled anything valuable. But going down the Pokemon rabbit hole did make it easier to jump into lcgs (wish there were more out there) which is more my style but I was also intimidated by.

[@ThinkerThemer]

Deck construction IS SO MUCH FUN 😁 That part really took us by surprise. It takes a lot of time investment, especially with the new sets coming out all of the time, to fully understand the possibilities of what you can build and what you might go up against. It's been a fascinating journey for us and glad you've enjoyed elements of it too. Thanks for watching !

[@maximbaker8084]

Wow. I've got stuck in the same rabbit hole since mai this year too. Been following you for a while, i'm quite surprised by this video.

[@middleclassjoe]

Funny that you posted this video. Though I’ve been gaming as long as I can remember, Magic the Gathering was what got me into the larger tabletop hobby back in the mid 90s. By the early 2000s I was exclusively and heavily playing what we’d now consider hobby board games, and I haven’t looked back since. Fast forward to today and I have an 8 and a 5 year into Pokemon. We visit our FLGS every weekend to buy a few packs of Pokemon. 😅 (Un)fortunately, this made us all aware of the current Magic the Gathering set (Bloomburrow) which has a super cute setting where woodland creatures take center stage. Please avoid if that sort of thing sounds like it might suck you in. 😂 Anyhoo, keep having fun.

[@ThinkerThemer]

Bloomburrow IS SO CUTE and a really smart move by Magic because it certainly had us turning our heads (Magic has never appealed because of the fantasy setting). Have you been lured back into playing TCGs?

[@middleclassjoe]

@@ThinkerThemer I’ve been sucked back in a little. However the next Magic set isn’t making me exited (80s/90s Horror) so we’ll sit that one out. We’ll be back for another Bloomburrow set for sure though. Side note, you’ve also made me interested in looking at Japanese Pokémon alt/full art cards. Any sellers online that you’d recommend?

[@ClaeFace]

Dang it, I finally got OUT of tcgs! I resent that your enthusiasm is gonna be infectious enough to bring me back hahahah

[@nowvoyaging8881]

My kids just started playing two weeks ago lol, definitely going to watch this with them!

[@ThinkerThemer]

Hahahah competing against young children is also an interesting part of the journey. Especially when they destroy you 😅 maybe you can try it out with your kids!

[@PaperFable]

I recently fell down this rabbit hole too. I swore I would never get into tcgs, but Lorcana softened me up. Then my nephews taught me to play Pokemon and I thought I would buy some cards to play with them, and then I got into the art and started collecting them. I realized real quick that blind packs while fun are financially irresponsible so I buy the exact cards I want instead and spend a lot less money. Anywho because I am now a card art addict I’ve been buying Magic, and Cardfight Vanguard as well. Have you ordered cards on TCG player? You can get a lot of the common cards for under 10 cents.

[@joshuagraning7329]

My kid played Competitive Pokemon for 8 years. We traveled the US, went to Mexico and England twice. I would not trade that for anything. TCG's are so much fun if you let them.

[@hansaugustsson7288]

In addition to the playing rules and the tournament rules, there is also The Spirit of the Game. That is what reminds people to behave well, be helpful and kind, not be cocky when you win, not whine when you lose, etc. Those are the most important rules. This game wants to raise good people, allow everybody to feel included, and see personalities develop well.

[@ThinkerThemer]

Very true! This has been our experience of the game but there is certainly a very competitive energy in tournaments (not mean just .. focused) which is very different to playing board games with our gaming group. It's been interesting to reflect on that.

[@kauisurfer13]

Howdy thinker themer! Have you been able to try out Lorcana yet? Its the first TCG I discovered after Gen Con last year and has had me hooked ever since! You ought to give it a try!! Sounds like product is making its way to Australia/Japan/China!

[@MrSquirreller]

It's pretty addicting imo. It has one of the best mechanics in CCGs right up there with Netrunner, One Piece, Flesh and Blood.

[@ClaudeAndTaylor]

This is WILD

[@JymmiF]

I recently dipped out of Lorcana. I just found that with them releasing new content so often, it becomes so hard and expensive to stay current. Also, everyone I was playing was playing the same meta deck. I couldn't keep up with all the research and knowing what the meta was. I enjoyed created themed decks and at the weekly meet-ups I was just getting slaughtered. I've had to change my perspective a bit and, while I enjoy the game, I can enjoy it at home as my husband is also a casual player. And, getting new cards can be a treat and not a requirement.

[@kevinc5895]

That's what I like about Keyforge. You'll see a lot of similarity at the top levels, but at the local level you get a lot of variation in what people are playing (if you have a local scene of course).

[@larrye]

I'm starting a similar Journey. I decided how to pick up an MTG jumpstart box I like the idea of the game but don't like the idea of chasing expensive decks. Then a friend of mine brought some Bloomburrow Commander decks to a game day. It was a totally different game than I've been playing. I really enjoyed it but after looking at the prices of some of these decks, it turned me off a bit. I will gladly play if someone brings some Commander decks, but I don't think I want to dive in to the old TCG scene.

[@chrisjanson8283]

5 minutes in and I can’t stop laughing ! 😂😂😂

[@NickRondo]

I know that feeling.. I felt into Disney Lorcana TCG .. my first TCG too.. What a world !

[@ThinkerThemer]

It's a steep learning curve for sure! Hope youre enjoying your time with Lorcana!

[@NickRondo]

@@ThinkerThemer yeah it crazy how simple are rule but deep how to play correctly

[@chickadee893]

I just started playing Lorcana, the Disney TCG that started last year. I’m curious if you might check it out sometime! Edit: I watched a bit longer and see that Lorcana might not be up your alley, which is fine 😊

[@DanielRothhaar]

It's interesting watching others get swept into TCGs! I also got swept into competitive Flesh and Blood over the last few years. You mentioned not liking the fantasy theme, but I would love to hear your thoughts on the mechanics of FaB, if you get a chance to play. It has the best strategic mechanics of any card game I've played before.

[@andysiegel725]

Thoughts on TCG vs LCG?

[@fleazapp]

oh my... dangerous path you have taken. I went into 151 and master set cost me $900. crazy

[@craigsomerton2359]

I dove deep into the MTG hole when it was first released in the early 90's. Purchased thousands of cards before realising it was a massive money pit and have avoided all TCG, CCG's since. Discovered board games and found far more variety and fun.

[@henryaudubon]

It must feel good to let the secret out ☺

[@ThinkerThemer]

Hahahahahahaha thanks for keeping it 🫣

[@daniellebackus819]

I played and collected some Pokemon TCG when I was a kid. My niece just found my collection last night! I currently have some Star Wars Destiny stuff (all purchased for fairly cheap after the game died), and I have been enjoying building Lorcana decks to play with friends and family.

[@ThinkerThemer]

You might have some valuable cards in that collection! I admire the ability to dabble. Lol we clearly don't know how to do that 😂

[@mike_howes]

Have you both ever tried the LCGs. Marvel, Arkham horror or Lord of the rings? I wonder if you'd like them with a similar deep dive. You'd have the same strategix deckbuilding, but less pack opening. But also would be coop.

[@ThinkerThemer]

We have (especially Maggie solo)... but it's never really stuck. Maybe it is the coop/ solo element or perhaps just the theming. There hasn't really been a cosy-style theme that appeals to us!

[@bunbun6161]

This is freaky. I got into a tcg these last few weeks as well. I bought two booster boxes already and is currently trying very hard to maintain a monthly budget😅

[@ThinkerThemer]

Which one!

[@bunbun6161]

@@ThinkerThemer Sorcery: Contested Realm, which is fairly new and small so it’s not as overwhelming as some of the bigger ones can be. It also only releases one set each year so collecting could be easier as well. And the art is amazing! I’ve been mainly playing with my partner at home and I think going forward we’ll just get one or two boxes each set and play it like a board game with the cards we have.

[@darkrider243563]

I used to play a bit of magic a decade or so ago but I feel the core design is pretty dated so I fell off. Then Star Wars Unlimited came out this year and I am so hooked haha. Fixed all my mechanical issues with magic, added a lot of cool new innovations, and the star wars ip is such a deep well of good content!

[@ralfn9629]

Ohh noo, what have you got yourself into. "Stay away" is exactly what I will do to ALL CCG's! I also find it such a cash-grab. Anyway - nice and informative video.

[@michellespano6208]

I've been trying my hand at MTG. It's a lot, I'm literally taking down notes.

[@Webchain]

If you wish to get into TCGs, try Altered TCG. I think you’d like the diversity and gameplay.

[@ThinkerThemer]

We saw that being demo'd at GenCon! We were intrigued but the demo tables were always very full. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@Webchain]

@@ThinkerThemer You can try for free on BGA.

[@TimChuon]

I was star struck and had to do a double take on this title!! 🤣🤣🤣 AMY AND MAGGIE playing a dueling TCG?!?! 🔥 can we pls play pokemon together 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@TimChuon]

I didn’t even know gen con had a pokemon tcg area how cool!!! I lol’d at the clip you filmed there secretly 🤣

[@ThinkerThemer]

Hahahaha right?! We did not see this one coming but it's been SO much fun exploring this adjacent hobby. Have you ever played it or collected? 💕

[@TimChuon]

@@ThinkerThemerYASS that’s so fun i hope you’ll make more content for it bc im here for it!! 🎉 I only collected the original set (1-150) and lightly played different generations, but now I’m very tempted to get back into it 😗🤣🤣🤣

[@garyfaust6769]

I have played with my grandsons and had fun. Interacting with them was the value for me. This game is the most luck-forward game I have ever played. It is also very unbalanced compared to other games. The creators of the game are exploitive in the distribution of cards you get in the bags. So often a package has little or no value. It's like playing the lottery. Why can't bags have all good cards that enhance gameplay? My grandsons also like to play Unmatched, a much simpler card game, that has much more balance. One of them has created 16 fan-based players for which I model and paint miniatures for.

[@darlene7165]

Such an unexpected video but I loved that you shared this with us! I remember a comment in Discord that Maggie had started down this rabbit hole! LOL, I really don't know how you girls find the time to do all that you do! I am starting to think you don't sleep much! I really loved hearing your experiences. I have never gotten into a TCG...and I dare not try now! LOL. My board game collection is already out of hand! Keep having fun with it!

[@TheXarl]

Next GMT COIN games?

[@ThinkerThemer]

Awaiting Gest!!

[@PlayerOnYourLeft]

Wow, you fell deep!!! I love it! Your enthusiasm and excitement is so contagious.

[@meampongan]

Uh oh

[@brettchai]

This video is perfection, I wish everyone would watch this. You both do an amazing job at taking us along the journey with you and explaining everything I wanted to know plus so much more. It evoked the nostalgia in me of the investment (time +$$$) into Star Wars CCG by Decipher, reaching Worlds, having the game be cancelled, but then finding board games instead. I can't thank you enough for all you do for this hobby.

[@terhuneb]

I appreciate this peak into an adjacent hobby. I've started playing Pokemon Go too so I've always been curious what the TCG was all about. Thank you for the succinct overview of your experience!

[@MrPorko2c]

I went down this rabbit hole too about 2 years ago. Started playing a lot online and thought I might start playing IRL. After about 18 months I just couldn’t keep up. A new set came out so often with potential new meta cards and it was just so expensive (and I was mostly buying singles). After a while I decided I unfortunately couldn’t play IRL anymore and just focused on online and I just buy card codes when sets come out which is way cheaper. Unfortunately the online version is pretty buggy but it’s better than nothing.

[@michellespano6208]

I've been trying my hand at MTG. It's a lot, I'm literally taking down notes.