I know nothing about Pokémon; it completely skipped me somehow growing up in the 90s. Now, my nephew is asking for Pokémon card packs for Christmas. I looked on Amazon, since I’ll need to ship anyway, but was royally confused by colors and boosters and foils.
He has like a dozen cards now, but wants more to play with friends at school.
What the hell am I supposed to be looking for?
As a hobby shop employee Pokémon comes in many types of packaging but whatever you do don’t buy single cards off Amazon or even lots. The number of fakes I have kids bring in that came off Amazon post the holidays is pretty high.
Packs are generally safe and if you want alot of packs elite trainer boxes come with 9 (atleast for the newer sets older ones vary) and booster boxes come with 36.
They come out with a new set every 3 months or so and the newest is surging sparks which is a pretty popular set. I’d be happy to answer any other questions if it helps your holiday shopping.
What is a good price? Amazon varies and now I’m worried about counterfeit cards
Alot of boxes go by popularity elite trainer boces tend to be $50-60 bucks but end up being priced higher if popular enough. Same for booster boxes $120+
I recomend tcgplayer.com for card stuff it’s a market place like ebay but just for cards. It was so literally the ebay of cards that ebay acquired it in somewhat recent history. Anything from the “scarlet and violet” series of cards are readily available https://m.bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/List_of_Pokémon_Trading_Card_Game_expansions
It depends. Does he collect them because they’re cool and he wants to trade with friends, or to play the game and win? If it’s the former, get a bunch of packs (I think they typically have of order 10 cards each, and you’re guaranteed one of the better cards with nice art). If the latter, you would need to ask so you get something that works with what he has; one possibility is to get a trainer box that has cards that tend to work together, or you can buy decks that previously won a championship or something.
Or, you can draw them yourself for a personalised gift which he will treasure forever!
(I also know nothing about pokemon)
That would be neat, but if he’s looking to actually play the game, those cards won’t be usable. If he’s younger (and needs real cards to play at all) then that will probably matter more to him than a hand-drawn card would.
