I've been collecting pokemon cards since the Base Sets, when I was three. Around the age of eight I quit collecting and buying Pokemon cards, as I had other things I would rather buy, and my parents were sick of shelling out $10 every time we went to a Walmart/Target. About 3 years ago, I got back into Pokemon through Play! Pokemon Online. It was different at first because I wasn't accustomed to battling with Pokemon cards. However, I having been using PTCGO the last 2 years and I am quite an experienced player, having played every archetype from ReshiPhlosion/Magnerock all the way up current with Trev-Gor, Fairybox, Yveltal (Still trying to get some Charizards and Pyroars). Anyways, all of this has only been online, which is fun and all, but it doesn't really give me the proper skills I need to play in tournaments. So this January, I decided to start playing competitively IRL. I figured I would start with RayBoar since it seemed fairly popular, plus had decent matches across the board. First I needed to aquire the basic staple supporters.... and "HOLY CRAP!" is what I said when I saw it was going to be $45 for 4 Junipers, N, Skyla, and Colress! Next I had to buy the items like ultra ball, supperior energy retrieval, and the Pokemon themselves. This deck Totaled at $128. Next I was going to get the card everyone said I needed for the deck. Trop Beach. "Meh" I said as I typed it into Ebay, expecting the card to go for around $15-25 tops. I mean, it's a stadium for goodness sakes. I nearly shit my pants when I saw the price. One Hundred and fifty big ones. and I needed four. Nope nope nope. I opted for Electrode PS for a lesser draw power. This brings me to the topic: how do you guys deal with how expensive this game is? All the good decks are around $200 if you have nothing to start with. Any specific places to buy my singles? I've heard serious players go to Target for their packs/tins because Target price matches Amazon, so you're sometimes able to get packs for as cheap as $1.50 a piece. Also, I've seen countless people stealing cards. I'll admit, I am tempted to steal, but I'm too virtuous (I think...) . Anyways, what do you all recommend/do to deal with this insane prices. I mean, a reg priced pack is $4.17, and you hardly ever get the cards you need. Maybe singles online is the way to go? Any help/discussion is appreciated.
Thanks!
QUICK EDIT: I forgot to mention, I don't even use that expensive RayBoar deck anymore -.-
Plus, I have like no leagues that I know near me. Any way to find some online maybe? I'd love to enter one. Also, if anyone lives in my area and is in a league, I'd greatly appreciate it if you invite me and introduce me! I'm dying to find people like me who enjoy the Pokemon TCG. I live in St. Charles, MO. (zipcode might be easier: 63303).
Anyways, thanks!
Thanks!
QUICK EDIT: I forgot to mention, I don't even use that expensive RayBoar deck anymore -.-
Plus, I have like no leagues that I know near me. Any way to find some online maybe? I'd love to enter one. Also, if anyone lives in my area and is in a league, I'd greatly appreciate it if you invite me and introduce me! I'm dying to find people like me who enjoy the Pokemon TCG. I live in St. Charles, MO. (zipcode might be easier: 63303).
Anyways, thanks!