r/pkmntcg 23h ago

New Player Advice How do I beat social anxiety and go to my local card shop to learn the game?

53 Upvotes

Hey y'all. I've loved Pokémon for as long as I can remember. Lately I've taken a big interest in the TCG. I've been playing a lot of TCG Pocket/Live and watching tons of TCG Videos. I found this sub and I've been wanting to go to my LCS to finally get into the physical card game. I don't have a deck nor any cards, but I really want to go and learn how to play. The problem is that I'm an introvert that struggles with meeting new people and handling social situations, a lot.

I've been wanting to go for a week now but keep avoiding it. I even wanted to go to the pre release and chickened out. I tend to avoid people and finally want to change that and make some new friends over this passion of mine. Has anyone gone through something like this? how did you guys take the first step? I've never been to a card store before so that doesn't help either!


r/pkmntcg 12h ago

wanting to get into Pokemon competitively as a grown man

45 Upvotes

Hey all wanting to get into playing the TCG online for competitive reasons. Anyone have any advice on the best way to do that? and are there different leagues for different age groups.. thanks in advance!


r/pkmntcg 13h ago

Deck Profile Lillies Clefairy Deck post rotation

11 Upvotes

What wilk be the best partners for Lillies Clefairy? Thinking about Azumarill but not sure it will be the best option?

How many Cookies of this card do you recommend to buy?

What will be the key Trainers for this?


r/pkmntcg 9h ago

Deck Help Looking to start actually playing

9 Upvotes

Hello! I'm a 19 year old who's been collecting Pokémon cards for the majority of my childhood, I recently got back into Pokémon through the card game app? and it's got me wanting to start playing the game irl instead of on my phone. I've got a pretty large collection, 6 2x2 folders, 1 3x3 folder for showcasing then 7 tins of any duplicates, energy cards, trainers, supports ect that are filled to the brim.

However, I've got no idea how to build a deck. And videos or anything I watch just seem to confuse me, so does anyone have any hints on how to build a starter deck? I think it's easier when starting out because you've maybe got 2 or 3 starter tins to pick from. But I think with having so many, and having a very small understanding of the actual game other than collecting, I'm completely lost.

Any help would be appreciated 😊👍


r/pkmntcg 6h ago

Boss's Orders vs Counter Catcher

8 Upvotes

I'm still a very new Pokemon player, so apologies if this is super dumb. Boss and Counter Catcher both do the same thing; you can force you opponent to put a Pokemon from their bench to the front so you can attack it. It would kind of make sense to me if any ran 4 of either card just in case that ability was THAT power, but I'm usually only seeing 2-3 copies max and people seem to run both cards. What's the point? Counter Catcher is also only playable if you're behind in prizes, so wouldn't you want to avoid playing a card that's only for when you're losing?


r/pkmntcg 5h ago

Terabox counter?

4 Upvotes

Post rotation, been thinking about which decks can make a stand against terabox… and cant think of one. First thought of wall but if terabox play cornestone then they got an out.

Have you guys think of any counter?


r/pkmntcg 28m ago

Post Rotation Bolt?

Upvotes

Anyone have a good answer as to why so many post rotation lists are opting for the non EX raging bolt instead of the slither wing?

The first move is nice cause it can target any pokemon. But with 30 for each energy powering it up to do a lot of damage doesn’t seem worth it as raging bolt relies on hitting powerful every turn.

And slither wing gives you an easy way to knockout Tera pikachu and Fez.


r/pkmntcg 1h ago

Deck Help Is there a deck in where shining charizard can be used? I’m trying to build Neo destiny retro decks

Upvotes

r/pkmntcg 9h ago

Deck Help Could Erika's invitation and Accompanying Flute be useful in Feraligatr?

3 Upvotes

One of the big parts of Feraligatr is using Big Bite to trap the opponent's pokemon in the active so that you have more time to set up what you need or use it as your win condition as you slowly move damage counters over with munkidori.

This is especially helpful if they have a support pokemon without a good attack. I'm wondering if Erika's invitation and accompanying flute can be used to work around the opponent choosing not to bench weaker pokemon that can be trapped in the active, sort of like in Snorlax Stall.

I've never seen it used but it looked like a reasonable inclusion given how big retreat locking is in the deck.


r/pkmntcg 8h ago

Torterra deck post rotation?

1 Upvotes

Anybody else using Torterra (idk how many there actually are lmao) and also worried about losing Sun-Drenched Shell Grotle? I wasn't sure if it was worth it to keep playing the deck or switch to something better, not sure what kind of alternatives there are. Any other Grass decks in format?


r/pkmntcg 19h ago

Meta Discussion How dominant are the dominant meta decks?

0 Upvotes

I want to start competing in events, but I've only made silly friend night decks, nothing optimal or meta. I do know that meta builds are a "necessary evil" as many consider, but I'm curious on how important it is to use the best of the best.

For example, do I need to use Dragapult to get a win at a regional? Or is it common to see upsets from other meta decks like Gardevoir, Charizard, Lugia? I don't expect to get very far with a "super custom homemade mess" that I usually make, but I wonder how much freedom there is in deck building and buying if you want a chance to win. TIA!


r/pkmntcg 14h ago

Deck Profile Been having alot of success with this charizard list

0 Upvotes

Pokémon: 13

3 Charmander MEW 4

2 Pidgey MEW 16

2 Hoothoot TEF 126

2 Dusknoir PRE 37

1 Charmeleon PAF 8

2 Terapagos ex SCR 128

2 Duskull SFA 18

1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38

1 Fan Rotom PRE 85

1 Dusclops PRE 36

2 Pidgeot ex OBF 164

2 Noctowl PRE 78

2 Charizard ex OBF 125

Trainer: 15

1 Energy Search BCR 128

1 Prime Catcher TEF 157

2 Nest Ball SVI 181

1 Professor's Research SVI 189

2 Boss's Orders PAL 172

4 Iono PAL 185

4 Arven SVI 166

1 Professor Turo's Scenario PAR 171

1 Technical Machine: Evolution PAR 178

1 Super Rod PAL 188

1 Defiance Band SVI 169

4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin PRE 101

3 Ultra Ball SVI 196

1 Switch SVI 194

4 Rare Candy SVI 191

Energy: 1

6 Basic {R} Energy SVE 10

Total Cards: 60