Thread: I'm new to the TCG, please help me decide which deck to buy!

I am completely new to the Pokemon TCG and I need to buy my first lot of cards. I have no one to play with except my partner (Kieran). He is not interested in buying cards or collecting but he said that he'd play with me. Also, money is a bit of an issue so I can't buy him his own set.

Are we better off buy the Black and White Pokemon Trainer Kit or buying one theme deck and splitting it in half when I want to play?

Sara.

If you want to play you would be far better off with the trainer kit, That will also give you lots of tips and hints while you are playing.

Also try to go for the newer BW cards, then you can get code cards you can use online for virtual booster packs and theme decks.

The current Modified Format is going to be HeartGold SoulSilver and up, which gives you ~650 Cards to choose from. You can see the theme decks by going to HeartGold & SoulSilver (TCG) - Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia and moving forward through each expansion. As of right now, the current rotated set is about 2 years. so the HGSS may be rotating out shortly. Like people have said previously BW and up is your best bet.

I personally own the Fast Daze and Furious Knights Theme Decks from Noble Victories Expansion. As they have said, the BW Trainer kit is Two Half Decks that should work well independently and then combined into a full deck if necessary. The feasibility of creating a half deck from the Theme decks is doable, but requires more knowledge of the game. I hope this helps!

My first deck was a trainer kit- definately the best for learning to play. :)

The Trainer Kit, all the way. It's 12.99 USD and comes with two 50 card decks and 1 booster pack. Great for learning.

Trainer kit, that is for sure, and when you get better, I recommend Red Frenzy.

Originally Posted by White Kyurem

The Trainer Kit, all the way. It's 12.99 USD and comes with two 50 card decks and 1 booster pack. Great for learning.

The trainer kit comes with two 30 card decks. Not 50.

Oh. I thought all decks had to be 50 cards. Sorry!

Originally Posted by White Kyurem

Oh. I thought all decks had to be 50 cards. Sorry!

No actually, all decks for standard play are 60 cards. The trainer kit just gives a cheaper option if you have two people who want to play

@White Kyurem; Half decks are common in JP and often in trainer kits. I use half decks for teaching people how to play. There are some formats where deck size is different, but mainly 60, no more no less.