Three Foolproof tips for Choosing the right TCG
Trading Card Games, also called Collectible Card Games, can be an extremely addicting hobby. With so many games out there (well-known favorites such as Pokemon and Magic the Gathering, cult classics like The Spoils, and new games like Flesh and Blood or Meta-Zoo) it may seem like there’s almost too many options. If you’re indecisive, it can be hard to pick a starting point, and may even feel daunting.
So how do you decide what CCG is the one for you?
We’re going to help you figure this out by discussing some key ideas you should think about before investing your time and money, since this stuff can get really expensive really quickly.
Find a Game You Enjoy
When you’re picking a CCG to collect, you probably want to consider what gameplay looks and feels like. CCGs can get really expensive. You should spend your money on something you enjoy.
Pokemon, for instance, is more linear while Magic the Gathering has more decisions that alter the gameplay because Magic the Gathering has more interaction between players. In Magic every action, from combat to casting spells, gives you a chance to react to your opponent, whereas Pokemon has much less interaction. MTG is considered a more complex game to learn, but usually once you’ve gotten into it, people find it’s easy to play in a casual environment. Learning Pokemon, on the other hand, is much easier for most players, and is usually a great choice for someone who’s never played a card game before.
Community is important
Something else to consider before choosing which CCG to collect and be a part of is the community surrounding that game. Some games do not have very large followings or their communities are primarily online. Player age and demographics also vary from game to game, as well as the general attitudes of the players. This especially matters if you are hoping to have in-person meets, play in-person games, and share your physical collection with others.
For example, it was partially a community-driven decision that Magic the Gathering tournaments resumed in-person play in spring of 2020, while Pokemon still has not. Since MTG’s player base falls primarily in the 19-34 demographic age range while Pokemon’s player base tends to have more children, the unavailability of vaccinations to young children (not to mention the fear of bad press if a bunch of kids fall sick) has caused hesitancy by the game’s parent company to allow in-person play.
Collectability counts
Sites like MTG Stocks cater specifically to people who are using Magic the Gathering investments as a revenue stream.
The overall collectability of a particular game is worth investigating. Ask yourself whether you want to be a collector or an investor. As an investor you definitely want to consider a particular game’s collectability and whether the community is large enough to sustain demand among other market factors whereas if you’re a collector, you probably don’t care whether it’s worth anything to anyone else because it’s worth it FOR YOU.
If you’re looking for quick flips, you could consider a newer game like Flesh and Blood, which routinely sees surge pricing on newly-opened products. If you’re risk-averse and want a long term investment, MTG’s ROI is low for new products, but if you’re smart with your purchases, it’s a proven market that has only grown over it’s 25 year history.
Games with large communities tend to maintain their value better over time (definitely don’t invest in the World of Warcraft TCG, The Spoils, or any other dead games if you’re trying to retain your value) and you’ll probably want to stick to Pokemon and MTG if you’re serious about being an investor rather than a collector.
So when you are considering a card game to collect…
Take a trip to your Local Game Store (LGS) and see who’s playing what and how. Many games have different formats (MTG alone has 6-7 different formats that all have different rules and not every format is played in every area). Commander, one of the most popular forms of Magic, is played one-on-one in some stores, while in others it’s only played in six person free-for-alls or in four-person games called “Two-headed Monster”, depending on that community’s preference.
Some stores feel more inclusive. Some have a loose enforcement of the rules while others cater to high-end competitive play. If a game is only available for play somewhere that you don’t feel comfortable, maybe it’s worth giving a different game (and store) a try.
Think about what you want out of your collection. Maybe your goal is showing off expensive cards while you play with friends. Maybe you’re looking for an investment. Maybe you want something that’s easy to play or maybe you like something more complex. Maybe you hate people and want something you can play exclusively online. Maybe you don’t want to build a collection at all. No matter your preference, there’s a TCG/CCG out there that will fit your needs; it just might take some trial and error to figure it out.
Still Not Sure?
Read our Beginner’s Guide to MTG and see if it’s something you’re into.
Hit us up via email and we’ll talk it through with you and help you make a decision that really fits your style.
Join our discord community and see what others saying.
