Go to TCGplayer.com

Go to the Pokemon American price lists. Look at them one by one - all the Scarlet Violet sets - and sort the list by most expensive (market value).

That will give you an idea of the top chase cards in each set.

While you’re there, click over to sealed product in each list and see what the going price is for packs.

Some sets are so hot right now that you likely won’t find them for a reasonable price.

First thing to know is that there is no good/best/should/must have, only what you like that you can afford to lose money on especially if pack openings are involved. With the hype atm though singles are looking to be the best option.

Start with research into figuring out what you want to collect as it's your collection, your budget and therefore your choice. These tips and resources may be of use with that:

• Decide on a collecting goal before buying anything. It doesn't have to be full sets or opening packs as buying singles (favourite Pokemon/artist etc), PSA cards, sealed etc are all valid options especially as pulls aren't guaranteed in any product.
• Watch smpratte, Fourth Star TCG, TCA Gaming, TheCatsMeowth, Danny Phantump, WakeRunCollapse and Hungry Kabbigon to see what's around to collect both old and new plus English and Japanese.
• Buy what you like and it doesn't have to be what everyone else is buying plus try not to get sucked in by hype or FOMO.
• Set a budget and stick to it as this hobby gets expensive especially if you think you might want to play as well. If you are going to play then set a playing goal, collecting goal and overall budget and remember that opening packs isn't good for players due to the unpredictability of pulls and the need for specific pulls from multiple sets plus read this.
• Prices tend to be cheaper online so do your research on possible places to buy. Avoid Amazon though as it doesn't have a good reputation.
• Keep a regular eye on Pokebeach for news and get used to using Bulbapedia as well. If you're after cards for a specific Pokemon then use the search bar on Bulbapedia and add tcg as part of a search to get a list of cards printed for it. Pokemon's set gallery can help as well for picture of sets starting Sword & Shield onwards.
• Keep an eye on what is being played via Pokebeach, Limitless TCG, Omnipoke and Celio's Network as card playability will affect prices for both buying and selling including non ultra rares.

TCGplayer is best for singles ✅ if you want to open packs, there’s a couple eeveelutions and pikachus in crown zenith. the new english set surging sparks is pikachu themed, and the new japanese set terastal festival is eeveelution themed (and will become our next english set prismatic evolutions).

unfortunately the newest sets are a little hard to get at the moment, but crown zenith should still be affordable!

if you’re looking to open packs to make money you’re barking up the wrong tree. don’t be a scalper. it’s not about the money.

Scalper

I’d recommend buying Crown Zenith especially if you can find it in person at retail, insanely high pull rates on some beautiful cards + will be gone soon

Ditto CZ

my favorite set of all time is neo revelation!! some of the holos are on the pricier side but it’s actually mostly still very possible to complete! haven’t gotten there yet but im getting closer 👍🏻

It's whatever you want man!

You can look up the pull rates for rare cards from different sets. Some are more generous than others. You can also see entire card lists for each set to figure out which cards you want. If you're interested in value, I personally use tcgplayer.

Go to sites that show set card lists and look at the rare cards. Make a list of chase cards and buy the sets those cards are in.

With $50 you can honestly get a pretty good base set collection going. I went on tcg and picked up like half the cards in the set for like $30. Been buying lots from local collectors to sort of fill the rest out.

Those were the cards I had when I was younger so it was good nostalgia to see them all again and gave me a good place to jump off of when it comes to other sets or rarer cards.

You can also probably get like a 10 card booster box of one of the newer sets if your more into the thrill of opening packs. I bought a couple booster boxes of the newer sets and had some good pulls but also got to relive some of that fun of being a kid. Probably not the best way to go about it if you’re looking at it from more of an investment standpoint but from and enjoyment standpoint I think it’s worth it

Kinda of a loaded question. Depends what your budget is. Every set is gonna have a “chase card”. Sets over the last 2 years have been cool with the Vmax cards and the alternate art cards that can be quite valuable. Maybe your a millionaire and can go in hard on some popular vintage sets

Thanks for the help

If you don’t care about the value of the cards and genuinely just want the nice arts, go for Korean cards.

I just started 6 months ago and spent over £2000. Unsure if this is modest even by beginner standards.

I would say never buy products higher than retail price until you’re sure you want something if it’s no longer in circulation.

Look for Japanese cards on eBay from highly rated sellers which come out really cheap compared to English as well as better card quality in some cases.

Buy from Pokemon centre where you can and trusted well-known large retailers in your country.

Search the official TCG Pokemon page and check out all the cards. Buy the products of the artworks you want for the thrill of opening packs.

Lastly, I’d buy Stellar Crown and Brilliant Stars ETB’s as they’re still widely available and have cool artwork.

I would recommend SV base set and Twilight Masquerade! Amazing cards/artwork! Honorable mention to Paldean Fates and Stellar Crown. I like Japanese cards but something about being able to read the cards is important to me too. I have some Japanese cards. My rule is if i really like the artwork and it is way cheaper, i buy the Japanese version. Ive never graded cards before, i never feel the need to tbh. I have seen some companies other than PSA that make really cool graded slabs that go along with the artwork of the card tho!

crown zenith is the GOAT, and 151 is amazing but expensive lol

Crown Zenith if you’re looking for the best pull rates. I’d suggest saving your wallet form learning the hard way like most of us already have and if you like a card, don’t chase it. Buy a copy of TCGplayer.

Best pull rates? The first few for Scarlet and Violet. Paldea Evolved in particular is really nice. Lovely art too.