Which Set(s) is Best to Purchase for Competitive Play?

[vivrelastache]

hiya! i'm coming back to the game after taking a few years off and am well-versed in the mechanics of competitive play (read up on the format changes, rules changes, errata, etc.), but before i begin re-investing in the game, i was curious if there was a set (or two/three) that players would recommend to purchase booster boxes from to ensure peak competitive possibilities going in to the current metagame?

any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated! (as a side note, i actually have a decent amount of cards from the first four or five black/white sets, so i'm more interested in if there are things from xy-on [or even if legendary collection is recommended].) thanks!

 

[Electricbluewolf]

Welcome back to competive play!

I would personally recommend Phantom Force, Roaring Skies and maybe the newest Break Point. There have been a lot of reprints so you may find that cards from BW are still playable.

Phantom Force has lots of deck staples going around-Manetrics, Bats, Night March so you have lots of options on what style you'd like to play. It also has the reprint of VS Seeker and Lysandre, two cards that are very much in top decks for playablity. Roaring Skies has the all important Shaymin-EX. It's become a staple in many decks now and at £15-20 for a Half Art card it's one of the most expensive cards, as many decks run 3-4. Break Point has some interesting cards such as Espeon-EX, and the Greninja Evo and Break cards (Breaks are kind of like a Stage 4, where you place on top of the Pokemon, such as Greninja, and it becomes a break. Still have the same retreat cost, but has more HP and another attacks/s, and can use the original Geninjas attack) It also has the reprint of Garbrador you might be familiar with.

If you looking for a good card starter though, the Battle Area Deck (I recommend Darkrai/Mewtwo) has some of the wanted deck staples and playable cards all in one. It might save on costs and is a nice way to get back in the game

 

[MystikX]

Also, depending on what deck you want to build, each set tends to cater to a specific type or two for support:

XY
Stadiums for Darkness and Fairy
Some good staples like Sycamore, Professor's Letter, Shauna, Hard Charm, and Muscle Band

Flashfire
Fire support in Fiery Torch and Blacksmith
Splashable Pokemon like Kangaskhan-EX and Miltank
Staples like Lysandre, Pokémon Fan Club, Sacred Ash, and Ultra Ball

Furious Fists
Fighting support in Strong Energy, Korrina, Fighting Stadium, and various good Fighting types
Grass support in Herbal Energy
Seismitoad-EX
Super Scoop Up

Phantom Forces
Psychic support in Mystery Energy and Dimension Valley
Staples like Sycamore, Tierno, AZ, VS Seeker, Battle Compressor, Enhanced Hammer, and Xerosic
Metal support in Steel Shelter and Metal Links
Zubat line
Night March

Primal Clash
Support for vast amount of types
Wonder Energy and Shield Energy for Fairy and Metal respectively
Maxie and Archie for Fighting and Water respectively
Stadium support for Fire/Fighting and Water/Lightning in Scorched Earth and Rough Seas respectively
Introduction of Ancient Traits
Splashable Pokémon like AT Bunnelby, Solrock, and Milotic
Wailord-EX
Staples like Teammates, Birch, Rare Candy, Weakness Policy, Escape Rope, and Dive Ball

Roaring Skies
Support for Dragon and Colorless in Double Dragon Energy and Winona respectively
Staples like Trainer's Mail, Steven, Switch, Ultra Ball, and Wally
Mega Pokémon support in Mega Turbo
Shaymin-EX
Splashable Pokémon like Deoxys

Ancient Origins
Support for Darkness and Lightning in Dangerous Energy and Flash Energy respectively
Staples like Lysandre, Hex Maniac, Level Ball, and Forest of Giant Plants
Vespiquen
Eeveelution
Giratina/Vileplume
Volcarona
Hoopa-EX
Anti-EX support in Regis
Splashable Pokémon like Unown, Lugia-EX, and Relicanth.

BREAKthrough
Support for Fire in Burning Energy
Staples like Brigette, Assault Vest, Float Stone, Fisherman, Heavy Ball, Judge, Skyla, Parallel City, Professor's Letter, Super Rod, and Town Map
Introduction to BREAK Pokémon
Splashable Pokémon like Zoroark, Mr. Mime, Smeargle, and Octillery

BREAKpoint
Support for Water in Splash Energy
Staples in Misty, Sycamore, Fighting Fury Belt, Max Elixir, Max Potion, Tierno, Reverse Valley, Delinquent, Bursting Balloon, and Psychic's Third Eye
Splashable Pokémon like Garbodor and Hypno