The Collector Skill Check…

[@JaneDoe-sv1mk]

Paying and buying into "live breaks" is the lamest thing I've seen in this hobby excluding "graded" cards. Paying someone to open your cards lol.... THAT'S THE FUN OF BUYING THE PACKS... wtf.... to each their own, but their are so many compromised and terrible creators its insane.

[@OpossumBud]

Spend your money your way, but you’ll never catch me blowing money on whatnot

[@teamcosmicseeds]

​@@OpossumBudI only buy straight from mtg artists. Conventions can have lines at 1+hr. No one wants to wait in line 😂 imo drip has been 4 me personally

[@ItsFinigan]

Some people just want the social side of the opening vs traditional collecting.

[@solemnstar2373]

@@ItsFinigan I don't buy that excuse frankly. Friends don't pay friends to be friends.

[@1st-KillFreak]

Some awesome and honest streamers here on youtube

[@VinncyCramorant]

Excuse you. Bro took my virginity away. WHAT KIND OF VIRGIN AM I?

[@OpossumBud]

Next time

[@TheGoorru]

I think there's a reckoning coming for a lot of people who are chasing the Umbreon. When they start to look at their bank accounts, they realize they have nothing to show for it except debt. The people who were paying these rip off shippers, those people will be first to go.

[@Pokesmol]

The shrouded fable thing sums up the situation well, I’m just glad that vintage seems to be going under the radar I’m almost finished with base set 2.

[@OpossumBud]

What can we hype and prop up next sums it up

[@Pokesmol]

@ it will be starter decks next or some other bs, I can see the video title now “no one is talking about these sleeper products with guaranteed hits”

[@Runnygraph20]

They figured out just how many was really made.

[@solemnstar2373]

depends on the vintage, but yes, you can find and buy things that people don't know about or care about if they do know.

[@tredici72]

@@OpossumBud…We need to hype up Stunky, he deserves more love

[@jamesjazz3395]

The last time I was this early, my wife got pregnant.

[@OpossumBud]

Congrats I think lol

[@jamesjazz3395]

@OpossumBud That was ten years ago, but thanks, though. Haha

[@statrunner]

Found the non-virgin virgin gang

[@jamesjazz3395]

@@statrunner I just want to hang with the cool kids.

[@Bryan45552]

Remember folks, never go full Seismic Shock.

[@collectabuzz]

Lmfaoooo

[@CollectorReddo]

I'm 2 seconds into this video and have not yet been referred to as some sort of virgin?! Nah these times be scary for real now.

[@OpossumBud]

Not this time

[@CollectorReddo]

@@OpossumBud Nah fair call big dawg, really refreshing to hear, especially after just seeing Danny's new Vid ✌

[@cyphrexe]

The day playable singles are bought out is the day the sun explodes

[@OpossumBud]

It is on the table now, that’s what kinda hobby we got

[@solemnstar2373]

don't give them ideas

[@DOBLE2CALIBeR]

I think I saw a dude on Facebook talking about how expensive pokemon collecting is. Someone in the comments said it's because of nostalgia but at this point you have to ask if it's more of a money thing than actual nostalgia anymore

[@OpossumBud]

Nostalgia is only one factor, greed is a much larger factor

[@MimikBrew]

Once again, your takes are ahead of their time. 💪 - Seriously though the thoughts on the future cutthroat nature of this hobby within the creator space is real talk.

[@OpossumBud]

It’s coming, and I hope people are sporty and ready… we know how it’ll play out for some people though

[@MimikBrew]

@@OpossumBud anotha one bites the dust…

[@lurkinloooowry]

I used to be lurk in the rip & ship streams all day everyday. But lately it's gotten so greedy that I cringe when I watch them lately. I still frequent a select few, but that's it.

[@xdraconicgaming5204]

It’s crazy how many people sell their integrity

[@frameandi]

Thanks, Bud, for the consistency and honesty. Pokemon is a hobby, and you can approach your way to make it work best for you, on your own terms. Why risk more than you need to.

[@OpossumBud]

It’s just a hobby after all

[@AnastasisDATBOI]

He didn't call us virgin gang 😢

[@acefstripe]

same thing happens in the synth community with certain influencers who quit their regular job. they tend to be the most “intense” as they struggle to make a career out of something that’s not really something society needs. great Ted talk. 🎉

[@ugandahater]

Had a horrible day at work yesterday but the day was saved because i got to enjoy a new video of yours while opening packs and smoking some thc oil. Keep up the good work dude i really enjoy your content 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Extilium]

No virgin gang? 🤥

[@Pokemonman24]

That’s how you know he’s being serious 😉

[@cooldaddyfunk]

Yeah he's alil pissed 😂

[@Excellent980]

Goalpost moved with twilight too lol, everyone shit on that set. I think it happened with Paldea evolved too no? It’s gonna happen to SV base and temporal next watch.

[@SmrtShrX]

SV base - drowzee, slowpoke

[@naturesepyon]

I can't believe some of these creators quit there jobs for pokemon. Like, their livelihood is directly linked to the popularity and demand of pokemon cards. Kind of risky, especially when you think long term.

[@lucifersfather2]

Pokemon needs to a pull a roaring skies print run

[@OpossumBud]

Evolutions be like

[@CatBack94]

Legit

[@solemnstar2373]

@@OpossumBud platinum arceus

[@piratekinginvestments]

9:25 pure gold 😂

[@Sleepingsnorelax72]

what you've said is what I've been trying to say. I did not elaborate as well as you, but yes, character flaws is a great way to describe it. we all have it, but it hit pretty heavy when you said, the friend circle expanded and then shrunk back down because what's happening has me thinking that the idea of "community" is simply a virtue signal that is used when convenient. and when community is not convenient, they use the excuse about business. Anything for views while simultaneously trying to profit heavy from your "community".

[@OpossumBud]

@@Sleepingsnorelax72 if someone is willing to undercut over Pokémon cards they are willing to do it over other things. No question

[@solemnstar2373]

Back in the old days we had a phrase for that. Its called "fair weather friends".

[@Deeperdetecting]

Whatnot❌ Absolutelynot ✅

[@amp2425]

Now that was a homest ..great video and take ...very true ...my eyes have been opened recently...thanjs

[@OpossumBud]

Here for you homie 🙏🏽

[@chuckd.68]

So much to discover in the pokemon tcg world. Im not stressing about getting new product. It’ll come eventually at a price im comfortable with

[@SwoleTrainerTrev]

If Pokemon prints more Prismatic product what is stopping the scalpers from just grabbing them up too and we are in the same situation?

[@samersalama6275]

Things are so tough right now. A lot of people watch your videos and love your take. Danny’s recent video he stated that he uses your videos as a barometer to work on not being part of the problem or being a lazy content creator. I think that’s really cool and I hope you know so many content creators refer to your videos. By the way I bought some beautiful trainer galleries for super cheap from some of the swsh sets.

[@Lechonkamania]

There's clearly a lack of passion throughout the hobby space as of late, and it's extremely noticeable. Mrs. Lechonkamania and I are having a great time just collecting Lechonk cards and Lechonk related stuff, being able to share our Lechonk addiction the most we can. Just a lot of negativity around recently, and it's showing a lot of people's true colors.

[@S0l1dZ3r0]

Every time a scalper gets evicted an angel gets its wings.

[@acefstripe]

same thing happens in the synth community with certain influencers who quit their regular job. they tend to be the most “intense” as they struggle to make a career out of something that’s not really something society needs.

[@snackbread]

Some more wise opossum knowledge you didn’t know you needed to hear

[@grizzlybehr1902]

I understand where you're coming from now. I saw a few comments on the last video, but I thought we ended our back & forth on a good note and I appreciated the insight from you guys and your different perspectives. The hobby feels like a paradox right now 😵‍💫

[@solemnstar2373]

you could say its a paradox rift.... I'll see myself out.

[@OpossumBud]

You weren’t who I was talking about 👍🏽

[@too·fkn·busy]

Ive been collecting singles that seem slept on while everyone chases the new product.

[@xcyphs]

i got a feeling a lot of the new people here gonna get burned again when the market sentiment changes

[@OpossumBud]

Two things have to happen to benefit the average again. Market flooded, and horrible selling practices held accountable

[@MrAmadeus1998]

Case premium is the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard of. If you pay the case premium, you are not a collector. You are literally paying more to have your boxes hidden in a box.

[@ReinfjellPaperHands]

It is so crazy how different the market is in the US compared to Norway. For the first time since ever it is much more expensive to purchase from the US than from the stores in Norway. Everything here is on a discount compared. Most of the stores also have lots of products and only certain products have a buy limit. There is no FOMO here which is why the market stays relatively untouched compared to the US where people just hoard everything they can get. I know I can go to the store today, tomorrow and the next day and there will be products on the shelves. As much as I like capitalism, I also think it fuels greed on a much larger scale than countries that have values in the middle of the spectrum.

[@adventurealways]

Vote with your money, as someone once said. I, too, hoped no one would buy JPN BBs at 100+ but welp… here we are.

[@OpossumBud]

I sat out Japanese booster boxes in 2021 and 2023, I can do it in 2025

[@adventurealways]

@@OpossumBudsame. I’ve seen cycles like this before so i’m ok taking a breather haha

[@Laevateinn-]

The Collector Skill Check is ... money. And how much you can spend on Pokemon.

[@SmokeyBones-c8s]

When Danny Phantump, one of the coolest guys in the community, has had enough of this crap you know it’s getting bad.

[@flvbbernvggets]

Nah, pandemic era Danny was absolutely slobbering over his jungle Eevee and Pikachu pulls during his Jungle box break. It was pathetic.

[@eduardotorres6108]

Crazy hobbies going bad & in real life situation still going bad. Thanks 2025

[@seabass5214]

I was ready to just take a break altogether but I decided to switch to japanese and ignore the newest sets. Really enjoying it so far

[@OpossumBud]

Be ready for that boom as well, but enjoy while you can homie. A lot of stuff out there no one is looking at 👍🏽

[@seabass5214]

@@OpossumBud yep I'm sticking to the sets that are still being sold for like 30-40 a booster box lol

[@teamrocketjoey]

Shrouded fable is for the timmys lmaoo its for the same people that were buying battlestyles for $160 on release 😂

[@OpossumBud]

Just funny the same people crapping on Shrouded now love it

[@teamrocketjoey]

@ honestly way to cringe but I mean thats all the poketuber echo chamber has to offer right now :/

[@toasterninja5814]

I spend like $1 or $3 on chase cards instead of chasing thousands of dollars for one card 💀

[@SegaDisneyUniverse]

I ended up making a hard decision recently and ended up selling my PSA 10 Moonbreon, all of my gold cards from Crown Zenith, and my Mew Vmax alt art. Got $2,400 cash for it. Decided to cash out due to personal financial reasons. The Umbreon wasn't exactly the proudest piece to my collection anyway, since I initially bought it with money I didn't have at the time. I was always so mad that I could never pull it myself and gave into fomo. And honestly I've slowly been feeling burnt out by the hobby ever since products have been so much harder to come by. At the end of the day, we obviously have to remind ourselves that collecting is a luxury that not everyone can afford.😅

[@acefstripe]

happy you for your money back and then some.. well done

[@MattPowers209]

While waiting for the flood gates of Pokémon to open I've been picking up cheaper Japanese singles

[@GringoOkocha10]

I hope this will be an eye opening video for some people. Don't go into debt for cards, or anything non essential as a matter of fact. If you can, set yourself a budget and stick with it. Sometimes it is hard, and you will miss out on some cards, but so what. I have my own budget set at 100-150 euros per month, and I'm fine with that. Sometimes I wish I had more, but it is what it is...

[@CatBack94]

Hold the line virgin gang

[@anthonyalbini8431]

print baby print 😂 Will be nice to have some new content, will be back to Pokémon over printing videos soon, don’t you guys worry 😂 anyone want to buy a bubble mew $400 no $500 😊

[@Minzimedic]

You make a really good point about people being a slave to this. I keep calling them chronically unemployed. Ive bought a few things at different stores in the past 2 weeks (I've still not seen a single prismatic evolutions pack in person). The looks I've gotten just for buying packs makes me feel really embarrassed. I've got a really good job making almost $200k, and I'm not used to people looking at me like I'm a degenerate. If elbowing the elderly and fighting women and kids for a few packs is what this hobby has become, I want nothing to do with it anymore.

[@stephenburnell3425]

“Sucks to suck nerd”😂

[@bkkriz]

I’ve put a pause on my content channel rn because I can’t get product. I usually go to stores to find stuff for my channel

[@akindel6590]

Paying crazy prices for cards that are the most recent to be printed is a stupid idea. There could be a tree growing right now that will be used to the Prismatic Evolutions product with your Umbreon in it. They're literally making more.

[@RagnaRulZ]

Pre-30th anniversary virgin gang

[@OpossumBud]

30th is going to be nuts

[@Pokemonman24]

I clicked like when he said “buttsniffers” I was going to like the video anyways just thought that was important

[@Tjomsasen]

Great takes as always, Bud. I respect you keeping your day job and valuing it. A lot of this shit we're seeing is because of a general lack of respect for the workers of the world, and the fact that capital is now so much more valued in society than labour. People are in many ways convinced by society that scalping, crypto and fucking rug pull NFTs are worth more than contributing in a meaningful way. It fucking sucks. Love ya, bud.

[@nevercold808]

Bro, this was one of you best vids ever. Well said, my man.

[@MrAmadeus1998]

Agreed, his speaking and arguments are definitely improving with time.

[@Bryan45552]

I'm quite happy I made a decision to pare down my collection as a resolution. I've taken the $20 cards I don't care about as much and using them to get major display able grails. It's been a great period of time focusing on the good and just not paying attention to the prismatic craziness.

[@ChilleBruh]

You are killing it, this is absolutely a great play! 🤘

[@026Gonzo]

I care about the hobby and some of the people. I welcome new people I don’t welcome the people who bring in the toxicity.

[@OpossumBud]

It’s too hard to determine who is who til they’re already too far in

[@026Gonzo]

@ unfortunately that’s true. Sometimes they get in close too

[@ItsFinigan]

The appreciation of singles lately makes me revert to childish tendencies

[@nerdwarden]

💯 Everything you said, plus also all these big accounts on Twitter making constant hype/glaze posts with certain cards or products to cause panic buys and raise value. But then acting like that's not at all what they're doing, though it's blatantly obvious to anyone able to use critical thought. I had to mute certain terms/words on Twitter to try and avoid seeing those posts. Unfortunately since I don't want to mute "Pokemon" it's not very helpful. It's gonna be a rough couple years.

[@OpossumBud]

Guys this card is on the rise! Should you sell or should you hold???

[@nerdwarden]

@@OpossumBud it's so tiring my dude. Much appreciation to tcg poketubers like you and Danny Phantump ❤️

[@OpossumBud]

@ 🙏🏽 appreciate it Danny is one of the homies

[@JohnSmith-qf1jn]

OH I’m not a virgin now???

[@Poke_Fo]

Dang bro you went old school with one of your collection. The red and yellow pokemon box right next to the Espeon tin is nice.

[@OpossumBud]

Appreciate that 🙏🏽

[@Deltadmirer]

Shoot man I didn’t even think about vendors and certain players hiking up the prices of playable cards that’s so screwed up when you said that I instantly thought about how many of the creators pulled the budew and set it aside to sell right away The skill issue point is very interesting yeah I think it’s a prediction I see coming through Sadly yeah I don’t even really enjoy watching people open cards anymore because I’ve been very disappointed by many creators going back on their words and doing things they said they never would, faking struggling while we see them doing completely well it’s such a shame like what the heck I was talking to a friend at work about this today and he doesn’t even collect pokemon and he sees it and agrees The many messes going on isn’t kicking me out of the hobby either I’m with you man hopefully more creators support and rise up and “speak with their wallets” like you say and don’t purchase products with inflated prices I’m in disbelief all the time when I think about the baseline of this whole situation revolving around freaking Pokemon cards like oh my gosh

[@OpossumBud]

It’s the next possible grift. I could easily see it happening

[@Deltadmirer]

@ :( thankfully the way things are and how they’re going to get worse can’t last forever!

[@arkerness7754]

I admit it I'm one of those people who has been here for years, who is stepping back due to the stuff that going on. Never felt bad about being here until 2025. Just going to chill and enjoy what I have for a while.

[@OpossumBud]

It’s understandable and I can’t blame you. Be safe

[@arkive11]

I decided I needed to complete my Temporal master set anyway

[@blueredmaster55]

that gastly card is taking the same journey as the tag team latias and latios card

[@DamaCollectsCards]

Bewear IR better be $100 or I’m gonna RIOT

[@OpossumBud]

This market who knows where it’ll be

[@johnn5693]

Thank you. I really needed to hear this.

[@weetjijwel050]

Opening packs has been a lot of fun and a luxury i could afford. With the new prices its not that much fun anymore and a luxury i (and many with me) cant afford. And many with me, im sure. Appreciate what you got and just pick up a single every now and then. Sit it out, as normal times will come again.

[@WillvilleCityGym]

There are some really nice cards that are still dipping! Money focused elsewhere. You don’t have to stop buying if people aren’t focused on what you like buying. Say that to all my $2 Illustration Rares I scooped up prior to the boom 😉. It is much harder right now, but can still outsmart the “dumb” market.

[@WillvilleCityGym]

PS: just incase the tone is off, 100% agree with you. The market is whack, thanks a lot Pokémon Pocket, a functional Pokemon game with mass appeal. Never would have thought Pokemon could have it in them considering TCG Live 😂

[@jakemelvin8473]

Just in time for work, just in time for Mr Opossum before my shift 😎👌

[@OpossumBud]

Have a good shift 👍🏽

[@jakemelvin8473]

@ cheers dude 😎💪🤝

[@MaelthasDivine]

Hey man where do you think is a good place for japanese sar trainers ? With the SAR pokemon or a trainer binder?

[@OpossumBud]

I have them in a trainer binder

[@MaelthasDivine]

@OpossumBud yeah I'm not sure now since we got trainer sar pokemon now also... like lillies clefairy I guess we put her in the trainer binder.. but I might keep them with pokemon SAR.

[@JuanHernandez-hf2bw]

Everyone know are professional investors lmao. I hate going to card shows they mark the crap out of everything.

[@OpossumBud]

“Future investment”

[@mikeXC]

What up virgin gang 😎

[@OpossumBud]

What’s up homie 🙏🏽

[@mikeXC]

@ chilling brother! Love the video and take on the whole pokemon situation 👌🏽

[@averysargent1216]

You are a beacon of light, hope, and comedy for us genuine Pokemon lovers and collectors. ❤ We appreciate you Opossum

[@Mypainfullyaveragelife]

The paldea evolved gold and teal cards are so cheap but so freaking cool. I also bought some break cards because I thought it was unique. I am glad they’re cheap because I think they’re cool. I’m glad they haven’t been touched.

[@mundaney]

I’m chilling in singles just waiting for the Rocket set. I really hope Pokemon is able to make that release more available than these last two sets

[@Evandodge17]

Ya there's a lot of opinions in the hobby right now. Personally I've had to take a break from buying packs as I can't afford them at the current prices. And I would never buy into a "break" cuz opening the packs is the fun part. I'd never pay someone to open my packs.

[@foxtrotow]

As an eeveelution collector with a full set of Sword and shield eeveelution alts, I haven’t spent a cent on prismatic. I refuse to spend anything over market on a product that’s a couple weeks old with an imminent reprint, and simply can’t find it. It’s very frustrating but the only way to truly beat the frustration long term is to stand strong

[@allidoisspinpoi8181]

If you flip cards for 2-3x the value for profit, you’re the problem, and you’re hurting the hobby. If you take the bait and actually pay 2-3x, you’re even more of a problem. Shit ain’t worth a goddamn thing until literally ONE person makes a purchase.

[@madslikescardboard]

Did you hear that folks? DO NOT RUIN YOUR LIFE FOR SHINY CARDBOARD!

[@BristolianDave]

I got back into Pokemon after a couple of decades during the Christmas paradox came out and bought that and of course 151 😅 I’m collecting and building master sets. I want to master set each set, starting with all the SV and working backwards. It means I can switch between sets I’m focusing on. Although when prismatic came out here in the UK, I went to smyths toys and they had sold out of EVERY Pokemon product… so I bought some Lorcana instead to open 😅

[@flookaraz]

Real collectors are excited for the next bear market so they can shake down Rudy for $99 boxes on patreon 😂

[@SejoMinoXP]

I liked the Shrouded Fable Reverse Holo Cards. They have a cool design.

[@briansprague3427]

I actually agree. Weird they only used it once

[@sgt.snake0177]

The real skill check is if you will pick up Japanese cards of cards that you like cause they’re cheaper and better quality even thought they won’t gain or retain as much value

[@OpossumBud]

That’s one option, there are a couple others too

[@binsteez8881]

2 weeks ago someone pulled up on my boy and got his 2 PC etbs for 250 each. He said he would buy mine too 😂

[@OpossumBud]

And they will do it again and again if people sold them to him

[@smellyquim]

All I see are gambling addicts angry at other gambling addicts

[@PokeTrev8590]

*Rolls a 1: “Is this good . . . ?”

[@Burgerb0y17]

I like ur hat

[@OpossumBud]

Appreciate it 🙏🏽

[@TylerWilson-v3w]

Love your videos, never stop :)

[@Mikethatguy7]

Buying an overpriced product that isn’t a necessity and then immediately complaining about the price is a wild way to live your life!

[@haruka3203]

When shrouded fable came out, I got the Greninja ex box promo card, the card looked so spectacular, I was like... Do people not like this card? It looks amazing! Now that the price for this promo increased by 3x, people suddenly likes this.... VERY SUS

[@snackpackman1938]

#nameyourfavoritevintagesetVirginGang

[@OpossumBud]

Ok

[@Maxpefc8]

Battle partners and especially Terastal are going to get printed to the ground there is already a re print for the end of February so expect prices of them sets to go down a bit just be patient while Pokemon adjusts

[@Peeves89]

There’s a lot of finger pointing in this “community” but ultimately I don’t understand how the Pokemon company aren’t held up as the main culprit. Ok they have a limit as to what they can print, but hit rates could be changed chases shouldn’t be one in a 1000 packs, what’s was wrong with one in 3 when they first started, Japan box hit rates with Tera show that they can still make popular product with a guaranteed sar. I’ve opened the equivalent to $100 worth at msrp and all I have is a pokeball to show for it ..

[@soummyeah8271]

Interesting times.. now that i have come to the realisation, I'm not going to get any of sets this year.. im better off.. just gonna watch and take it all in.. buy singles , Japanese,get some video games... Thanks for the vid

[@OpossumBud]

Interesting times indeed

[@PokemonFinanceGuy]

but but...sauce bauce said CHARIZARD IS THE WAYYYYY.

[@blueredmaster55]

honestly im just enjoying this hobby this time rather than complaining like i did a lot honestly im tired of people crying about scalpers and stuff i get it but man im an older collector you can 100% still enjoy this hobby without buying packs to open the newer fans are more insufferable than the actual scalpers cause they are the people that actually caused the hype to happen they dont realize something called demand

[@zacharyberry1478]

Who do you think he is talking about ? CTR?

[@ktcardz]

Facts I’m going back to Diamond pearl/ mid era to fill out my binder rn those r as of rn affordable and not hyped

[@Fishcantswim]

🤘🤘🐠🐠

[@OpossumBud]

Hey fish 🐟

[@ukncollects]

when shrouded fable cards got announced I was hyped about houndoom, persian and cresselia, sent screenshots to a friend and told him these will be big SV cards. same with the greninja and kingdra promos. yeah the SIR cards in this set suck and the big $$$ chase card is missing, so people shat on shrouded. it shows the expectation we have as a community of sets in this timeline. that mania fomo buying contest is crazy tho yeah, people get burned. get ready for the skillcheck bois

[@OpossumBud]

It’s devolved into who can spend the most money and who has the most valuable cards. Nothing else matters, nothing else is important. It’s a real shame