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My son(9 yr-old) want's to start playing this. Anyone give me some advice on where to start?

Thanks.

also have 5 yr-old that will want to play as well.

GG

Buy the ones with the shiniest pictures on them.

Ha, awesome. I loved pokemon TCG, still do but just the old pokemon. Can barely pronounce the new pokemon, way too many.

Best way to get in is with starter decks.

Each type (water, fire, psychic, rock, etc) have their strengths and weaknesses. Usually when you are a kid, like when I started to play oh so long ago you picked based on your favorite pokemon, not by a strategy that fits you.


Your son can play pokemon tcg online with the computer or players from around the world, like Magic online

http://www.pokemontcg.com/

I'm pretty sure when you sign up you get to have a free starter deck. When you buy real packs of cards you get some code that you redeem for tokens and buy "virtual boosters" on the pokemon tcg website. the website also has a flash tutorial on how to play the game.

You should be able to buy pokemon cards at any game shop or toys are us. To fill out your basic needs, such as the commons and uncommons of your deck you are better off going to game shops and buying them for anywhere from 10 cents to a buck.

Not sure what else you need to know. Deck construction? how it works?

Yeah I'd second starter decks, boosters come later once you have a sense of where you are going, at least with a starter you have a playable deck right from the off.

Although I'd admit my wallet would be itching if I was that close, try and chance a corrosponding type Ex, or maybe a varient Pokemon that mixes straight into the deck.


However, yeah, its easy enough to learn, alot of people have had a dig at it for its simplicity in the past, but its a great first step into CCG's and there is a very playable game there under the surface, much more so than some folks would give it credt for.


Got back into it myself a month or so back as the eldest lad showed interest, the second lad also wants in, mine are eight and six. Both love the game, and the eldest picked it up really quickly.

When i was a kid no one actually played the game the just collected the cards. Make sure they actually want to play the game, if not find out if they have friends to trade with.

Oh and expect arguments and tears about who owns which card.

If they just want to play, as has been suggested get them a starter set each and if they get into it buy them boosters. I wouldn't get into buying them single cards until they are older, i used to shell out £5 a card when i was a young 'un because i liked the shiny Japanese imports. Don't take them to shops that sell individual cards or you'll be all out of pennies in no time.

I've got an odd solution to that same as I do with Heroclix.

They are daddies, and they get a certain number of select spares they can 'look after' or play with for their room. Of course both my lads wanted to play it, and brought it up based on that intention. But yeah, the core decks we game with (which include rares, EX's and various rare cards as I used to collect Pokemon cards before they where born.) are kept in the living room and brought out to play when we do.

Its working rather well, and as they get older they can move stuff into their bedrooms. I would think eventually if they are still playing 40K in their teens, their armies will be in their own rooms on shelves rather than the lving room cabinet.

Go to a local tourney and ask some of the parents there. They'll help them start out better than you would otherwise and save you some frustration.

FWIW my dad used to take me to the Pokemon league and tournaments and it was a really good chance to spend time together, and one of the few really happy memories I can conjure up about my younger years, so good on you for being supportive

I actually have a folder with an absolute trolley load of these that's been looking for a good home for years, would you like me to dig them out or will you want to buy new?

Best bet is to find the FLGS nearest you that has a certified Pokemon Professor. There is actually a fairly intensive process that a person goes through to become certified. They will be able to help you get started in the right direction and provide you with the starter kit for the league.

Starter sets are the way to start. Look for the play this deck online logo on the box. They come with code to unlock that deck online, so he can play there aswell.

We just stopped by target and each picked out a starter deck. Cracked the boxes open have started playing..seems fairly simple.

Thanks for the tips.

GG

One fo the best ways I've read to advance from a starter deck is double it and take the best lines and cards and make one deck. This link http://pokegym.net/forums/showthread.php?t=146331&page=2 shows what i mean and should be handy for you.

After this if the kids still show interest begin buying a booster box (36 packets of cards) and use them like a reward system, if the kids are good they get a packet, or maybe make it a packet or 2 per week. or the better idea split the box in three and trade with each other... gets them more cards and you get to bond with them while tradnig.

Ebay has them on for about £75 for the more recent boxes with free delivery to UK. while not the cheapest doing this once in a while could be great fun and then spend time deck building with them.

Yeah... been doing the reward thing with him, for bey blades as he is into that right now. If he starts wanting pokemon, will do the same thing. Pokemon is actually quite fun (pleasantly surprised)..we have been playing it like crazy during our spring break.

GG

p.s. thanks for the link Duce!