Former Yugioh Player Jumping into Pokemon TCG

D

daniil123

Aspiring Trainer
Member
I used to play the yugioh tcg competitively but got turned off by the toxic community (had my decks stolen multiple times) and general cost of playing. I want to get into Pokemon after watching worlds. I have a few quick questions?

  1. Are there any skills I learned in Yugioh applicable to the Pokemon tcg?

  2. What is the best place way to start playing that building my collection?

  3. How long will it take for to grasp the game so I can start playing competitively?
Thank you.
 
daniil123 said:
I used to play the yugioh tcg competitively but got turned off by the toxic community (had my decks stolen multiple times) and general cost of playing. I want to get into Pokemon after watching worlds. I have a few quick questions?

  1. Are there any skills I learned in Yugioh applicable to the Pokemon tcg?

  2. What is the best place way to start playing that building my collection?

  3. How long will it take for to grasp the game so I can start playing competitively?
Thank you.
Click to expand...

Hello. It has been many years, but I used to play Yu-Gi-Oh as well; by the time I officially quit around 2009, I was just down to playing the DS games because I couldn't afford the time and expense to play. I tried to get back into it once or twice but found all the stuff I had hoped would be "fixed" had been embraced as the status quo, and more gimmicks had been added instead. Sadly that last bit is true of Pokémon as well, but the basics are a bit more sound and the gimmicks a bit less dramatic. ;) So to answer your questions
  1. Yes, many of the skills you acquired in Yu-Gi-Oh are applicable to the Pokémon TCG; the big issue is that they do not convert directly. It is better if I leave specifics up to you rather than me trying to guess what skills from when I left Yu-Gi-Oh still are relevant there, that you know, and then explaining how they work in Pokémon. I'll give you one example just to demonstrate why:

    Card advantage is a "thing" in every TCG I've played and it would require one that operated in a radically different manner for it not to transfer over. What is different is that Pokémon has always had ample draw, search, and usually recycling effects compared to most other TCGs. Yu-Gi-Oh has more than when I left (to my understanding) and as it has a 40 card deck minimum most try to hit plus lacks mechanics like "Energy cards" and "Supporters", each card drawn is effectively "more" than in Pokémon. Still, Pokémon is a game where we don't obsess over "one-for-ones" or "two-for-ones". That doesn't mean it won't be a real part of discussion, you'll just find "card advantage" to carry a different weight here.

  2. I recommend easing into the game myself; just focus on having some fun, attending a Pokémon League and Pre-Releases. Unfortunately booster packs are not unlike lottery tickets; rarely to they pay out. It isn't that bad though; if you are skilled at trading, you can minimize losses and maybe even justify buying booster boxes and the like. Mostly though do what @Emskas said and focus on singles. There are two products you might consider purchasing if you can find them at a decent price, both are called "Battle Arena Decks". Not all of them are worth it, but "Darkrai Vs Mewtwo" and "Rayquaza Vs Keldeo" will give you some deck staples, some potential deck foci, and almost as important some decks to learn the game by playing with a friend (or if you must, against yourself).

    There are various unofficial online programs you can use to help practice and learn, and there is also the Pokémon TCG Online, found at pokemon.com, the official website. The mixed blessing is that the PTCGO has you collect and earn virtual cards (real world booster packs and similar product will come with redemption codes for online). This will help you learn about playing and trading the game, even if the grind can be a bit tedious at times.

  3. This depends upon you. You've got natural ability, learned ability, and investments to consider. If you're naturally good at TCGs, invest a lot of time learning and time or money acquiring your card pool, you might even have a shot at making the next World Championships about a year from now (the 2016 World Championship concluded yesterday as of me posting this XD). I usually warn against this, because I know too many people who dive right in and then get discouraged because they are *gasp* average, and need another year or two after this to get competitive. Since they rushed in and went all out, though, they can't sustain that and so they crash and burn. In general, I say give yourself two years to become firmly entrenched at your appropriate "level". I consider people a new player until they've lasted at least two years. ;)
 
Thanks for the advice.

@Otaku,

I quit ygo right before September 2011 ban list since I ran combo heavy plant synchro and than ban list was going to nerf the engine. I was also turned off by the community since ygo is expensive and I've had my decks and cards stolen multiple times at tournaments and just people weren't very friend overall. Would you say ptcg has a better community?
 
@daniil123

Basically, what @Emskas said: you'll still find cheats and cutthroat players in Pokémon, but they have to be a lot more subtle about it. Purely anecdotal, but of the few TCGs I've played, Pokémon probably has the kindest, most helpful player base.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top