Pokemon TGC packs (Sword & Shield) £9.99 instore @ Lidl Stirling

This is a slightly editted version of my comment on a previous deal:

Just so that people who might not know much about Pokemon know what they're getting: (edited)

rivellangel05/12/2021 12:24

This is a slightly editted version of my comment on a previous deal:Just …This is a slightly editted version of my comment on a previous deal:Just so that people who might not know much about Pokemon know what they're getting:These are theme decks. They have 60 pre-determined cards in each and the cards are selected so that you can play the game right out of the box (but you'll need a deck each). There is one holographic card in each set (the holo pattern is unique to these decks). These probably aren't what you're looking for if you're buying for someone who wants the thrill of random cards or who wants lots of 'shiny' cards.If you're looking to start playing the game, I recommend the Pokemon Battle Academy box (available for around £15). It comes with 3 basic decks and a step-by-step simple rulebook with lots of pictures and a guided game. I would say theme decks are the next stage up from that: they come with comprehensive rules but aren't as beginner friendly as the Battle Academy.These Rebel Clash decks are ok but they're not particularly competitive. You can often get V decks for around £9.99 so I wouldn't see this as a bargain unless you really want these promos.Read lessRead more

As a Pokémon TCG collector and player of many years I second this.

The Pokémon Battle Academy box is a great purchase. Perfect for newbies, beginners and collectors alike.

And it's at a bargain price at the moment

jmercer9205/12/2021 11:51

Yeah I think these are the same decks aldi had in the other week, good if …Yeah I think these are the same decks aldi had in the other week, good if you play the game or for kidsRead lessRead more

They're different, they were Cosmic Eclipse at Aldi these are Rebel Clash

RC is regarded as one of the worst modern sets in existence, but these decks are useful for if you want to get into actually playing (not collecting) if that is of help to anyone.

Yeah these are decks btw as mentioned already. Not sought after like packs unfortunately

Alegox05/12/2021 18:16

What would be your advice for parents buying for a collector rather than …What would be your advice for parents buying for a collector rather than gamer? Is the elite trainer box better than just buying the booster packs? Are there other good options?Read lessRead more

General speaking, an elite trainer box contains 8 boosters and stuff to play the game (dice, energy, sleeves). Boosters RRP are £4 so that's 8 £32 and you're paying anything on top of that for stuff a collector might not want.

I'd go with products like tins/boxes that might have a promotional card you can't get elsewhere thrown in for free. Depending on who you're buying for, what they already have and what they want then Shining Fates or Celebrations are fun (there are some good deals on Shining Fates and Celebrations is the 25th anniversary set). Otherwise, the latest set is Fusion Strike and availability is pretty good.

herodave10/12/2021 13:10

I don't understand expansion packs. I bought 3 pokemon packs from Argos …I don't understand expansion packs. I bought 3 pokemon packs from Argos for my nephews but they just say Sword and Shield on them, whereas I see other packs that say Sword and Shield + some other words like Evolving Stars/Chilling Reign etc. So do those packs expand on Sword and Shield? When I go onto Pokemon TCG website it refers to Sword and Shield as an expansion... what is expanding what?Read lessRead more

I don't play Pokemon but I did used to play other card games and I think I have absorbed some info which might be useful for you. Please don't quote me on this, but to the best of my knowledge, the Pokemon cards have some tie in with the Pokemon video games in how they name certain releases. The card "set" name relates to which video game the Pokemon could have been featured in, but also are thematically relevant (e.g. Chilling Reign may have lots of ICE or WATER type Pokemon). So while Sword and Shield is the current latest game that is't a remake of an older game, the card subsets that expand on it may be titled "Sword and Shield" followed by the subset name, eg Sword and Shield: Vivid Voltage.

HOWEVER - there are two reasons that people collect these cards - either to build a deck/play the tabletop card game OR to collect rare or nice looking cards. If your Nephews are collecting rather than playing, then I wouldn't worry about how the subsets expand on things. If they play the Pokemon card game, have their own decks, go to tournaments etc then Anything under the "Sword and Shield" moniker, regardless of subset, SHOULD be standard tournament legal and therefor a good gift.

Bit of a minefield! Best of luck.

dark_nugget23/12/2021 15:45

I don't play Pokemon but I did used to play other card games and I think I …I don't play Pokemon but I did used to play other card games and I think I have absorbed some info which might be useful for you. Please don't quote me on this, but to the best of my knowledge, the Pokemon cards have some tie in with the Pokemon video games in how they name certain releases. The card "set" name relates to which video game the Pokemon could have been featured in, but also are thematically relevant (e.g. Chilling Reign may have lots of ICE or WATER type Pokemon). So while Sword and Shield is the current latest game that is't a remake of an older game, the card subsets that expand on it may be titled "Sword and Shield" followed by the subset name, eg Sword and Shield: Vivid Voltage.HOWEVER - there are two reasons that people collect these cards - either to build a deck/play the tabletop card game OR to collect rare or nice looking cards. If your Nephews are collecting rather than playing, then I wouldn't worry about how the subsets expand on things. If they play the Pokemon card game, have their own decks, go to tournaments etc then Anything under the "Sword and Shield" moniker, regardless of subset, SHOULD be standard tournament legal and therefor a good gift.Bit of a minefield! Best of luck.Read lessRead more

Thanks for this. Have done more research and yeah it's confusing. Still don't quite get how they can keep releasing new card expansions under each game because there's only a certain number of pokemon. They must be repeat them but with different artwork maybe?

herodave23/12/2021 16:28

Thanks for this. Have done more research and yeah it's confusing. Still …Thanks for this. Have done more research and yeah it's confusing. Still don't quite get how they can keep releasing new card expansions under each game because there's only a certain number of pokemon. They must be repeat them but with different artwork maybe?Read lessRead more

Because they are used in a card game, you could have different pikachus that know different moves and perform differently in the game. Plus they will include Pokémon from previous generations with slight alterations, as far as I understand.

Yeah I think these are the same decks aldi had in the other week, good if you play the game or for kids

These are perfect for anyone who actually plays the game as it's a full and complete deck.

add1ct3dd05/12/2021 11:53

They're different, they were Cosmic Eclipse at Aldi these are Rebel Clash …They're different, they were Cosmic Eclipse at Aldi these are Rebel Clash :)RC is regarded as one of the worst modern sets in existence, but these decks are useful for if you want to get into actually playing (not collecting) if that is of help to anyone.Read lessRead more

I think I prefer Rebel Clash to Battle Styles but I agree it's not great.

rivellangel05/12/2021 12:24

This is a slightly editted version of my comment on a previous deal:Just …This is a slightly editted version of my comment on a previous deal:Just so that people who might not know much about Pokemon know what they're getting:These are theme decks. They have 60 pre-determined cards in each and the cards are selected so that you can play the game right out of the box (but you'll need a deck each). There is one holographic card in each set (the holo pattern is unique to these decks). These probably aren't what you're looking for if you're buying for someone who wants the thrill of random cards or who wants lots of 'shiny' cards.If you're looking to start playing the game, I recommend the Pokemon Battle Academy box (available for around £15). It comes with 3 basic decks and a step-by-step simple rulebook with lots of pictures and a guided game. I would say theme decks are the next stage up from that: they come with comprehensive rules but aren't as beginner friendly as the Battle Academy.These Rebel Clash decks are ok but they're not particularly competitive. You can often get V decks for around £9.99 so I wouldn't see this as a bargain unless you really want these promos.Read lessRead more

What would be your advice for parents buying for a collector rather than gamer? Is the elite trainer box better than just buying the booster packs? Are there other good options?

rivellangel05/12/2021 18:57

General speaking, an elite trainer box contains 8 boosters and stuff to …General speaking, an elite trainer box contains 8 boosters and stuff to play the game (dice, energy, sleeves). Boosters RRP are £4 so that's 8 £32 and you're paying anything on top of that for stuff a collector might not want.I'd go with products like tins/boxes that might have a promotional card you can't get elsewhere thrown in for free. Depending on who you're buying for, what they already have and what they want then Shining Fates or Celebrations are fun (there are some good deals on Shining Fates and Celebrations is the 25th anniversary set). Otherwise, the latest set is Fusion Strike and availability is pretty good.Read lessRead more

Thanks!

All gone at Woodgreen London store. Employee said they only had a single box to begin with!

Found them 3 stores deep.

Handy for online also, theme tournament anyway

I don't understand expansion packs. I bought 3 pokemon packs from Argos for my nephews but they just say Sword and Shield on them, whereas I see other packs that say Sword and Shield + some other words like Evolving Stars/Chilling Reign etc. So do those packs expand on Sword and Shield? When I go onto Pokemon TCG website it refers to Sword and Shield as an expansion... what is expanding what?