Gotta Catch 'Em All: How to Find Rare Pokémon Cards
The world of Pokémon is more than just cute Pikachu toys and colorful animations, it's a $100 billion industry. If you grew up in the 90s then you probably owned some form of Pokémon merchandise.
Whether that be a Charmander pajama set or a Snorlax soft toy, no one was immune to this wonderful collection of adorable animals. Most of us who were fans of Pokémon started to turn to cards to satisfy our childhood nostalgia.
If you're one of those people, then you have been collecting rare Pokémon cards for years. However, there's a whole new generation of people looking to get started in this hobby, so it's a good idea to know where to look for rare cards.
After all, you don't want to spend time looking for cards in the wrong places, right?
No matter if you're old or new to this hobby, you'll know everything you need to about valuable Pokémon cards after reading this. Let's get started...
A History of Rare Pokémon Cards
Since the creation of Pokémon, many animation studios have been inspired by the show. As well as this, the popularity of the show led to the development of trading Pokémon cards.
Not only this, but the popular game Pokémon Go has become an essential game for fitness.
When the game was introduced in 2016 many users reported that they had been exercising more and spent more time outdoors. Therefore, this franchise goes beyond a simple product like trading cards, it's a whole community.
And, within the Pokémon community, there is a collection of rare Pokémon cards.
These cards are unique as only a select amount of players ever lay their eyes on them!
What Are Rare Pokémon Cards?
The first question to ask is, what are rare Pokémon cards? If you're new to the game then you might not know what to look for, and you could end up buying a fake card which costs a lot of money.
So, to avoid any money disasters, you should learn the varieties of rare cards so you're prepared.
1. Common and Uncommon Cards
If you have played other card games like Magic: The Gathering then you'll already be aware of the terms common and uncommon. But, in case you don't know, these refer to the different types of cards.
For example, common Pokémon cards are marked with a black circle, and uncommon cards are marked with a black diamond.
2. Rare Cards
Whereas rare Pokémon cards come in many different forms. However, all of them will have a black star. Besides the marking, there are also other designs to watch out for when you buy Pokémon cards.
Here is a list of the rare card designs:
- Holo Rare
- Reverse Holo
- EX/GX/V Half Art/ Half Body
- Full Art/ Full Body
- Secret Rare
- Rainbow Rare
- Promo
To help you understand more about each card, here is a breakdown of each one and how to spot them in a pack.
If you manage to find a holo rare card then you're lucky! This card is easy to notice as it has a shiny appearance and will gleam when you move it. Having a holo rare card is special, so a lot of collectors are looking to find one.
Next, the reverse holo card is similar to the holo card variety, but it doesn't have a shiny feature on the picture. Therefore, you can expect to see the border, text, and title area covered in this shiny material but not the picture.
However, if you want to collect Pokémon cards then you need to be on the hunt for the EX/GX/ V Half Art/ Half Body cards as they are extremely rare. These cards are often the biggest creatures, and the hardest to find.
You will notice bold, metallic-like design elements and a black star which marks the rare varieties.
Full Art/ Full Body
In terms of the artwork on Pokémon cards, the only card to get is the full art/ full body option. These designs are noticeable as the picture fills most of the card space which creates a striking visual image.
You might not be able to see the writing most of the time, but that doesn't matter. They look awesome in your collection!
Secret Rare
Any card with the word secret in its name is going to be special, and secret rare cards are definitely an eye-catching collector's item in Pokémon trading games.
Unlike the visual elements of the previous cards, secret rares are about numbers.
For instance, each set of cards has numbers attached to it. Normally, these numbers are placed in the bottom right corner. However, if you have a card that reads something like, "115/113" then it's a rare card.
Why?
Because the first number goes beyond the second number. So, you have to be vigilant when browsing the cards, in case you might have one of these secret rare cards amongst your deck.
Rainbow Rare
Rainbows by nature are rare which makes this Pokémon card extra special. If you end up with one of these cards in your collection, you can be sure that you have found something rare as they are one of the hardest cards to find.
Some people can sell rainbow rare cards for thousands of dollars, so if you are considering becoming a seller, this is good to know!
Promo
The last card on the list is the promo card. These are the cards that are given away at specific events and can be identified by the black star marking on the bottom right corner.
Now that you've learned about the varieties of rare cards, we can talk about where you can find these amazing cards.
How to Catch These Rare Cards
After reading about these magical cards you're probably thinking, how can I catch them for my collection?
All you need is a little extra cash and some spare time so you can go Pokémon card hunting. The simplest way to search for rare cards is by buying online.
You can sit from the comfort of your own home and order as many booster packs as you're heart desires! Thankfully, Breaking Bangers has you covered.
The best part about buying Pokémon cards online is you can check the prices, and reviews of the seller. That way, you can be sure you're buying the real deal and not some fake copies.
But, is it really worth it to buy rare cards or invest money in booster packs?
Individual Packs, Booster Pins, and Booster Boxes
You have some options when it comes to buying Pokémon cards that are suitable for different people with a range of budgets. Of course, the cheapest choice is to buy individual packs.
In these individual bundles, you can find some rare cards as well as a mixture of other playing cards. This is a great product for people who like to play Pokémon in their spare time, and want to slowly build a collection.
However, for more choices, you might want to pick the booster boxes. In these boxes, you'll have access to thirty-six booster packs. Although there are more cards with this option, there's no guarantee you'll get a rare card.
As well as that, the booster boxes are generally more expensive, so you would have to buy a few in order to find several rare cards. Even though it's not guaranteed to get the cards you want, it's super fun to try!
Plus, opening a bunch of booster packs is a thrill and you'll be hooked as soon as you start.
The last option for finding a rare card is promo tins. Often, you'll receive promo tins with booster packs, which is a good way to find rare cards as they normally include some special finds.
In addition to browsing the collection at Breaking Bangers which includes the following Pokémon packs:
- Pokemon: Sword & Shield - Astral Radiance Elite Trainer Box
- Pokemon: Sword & Shield - Brilliant Stars Elite Trainer Box
- Pokemon: Sword & Shield - Astral Radiance Booster Box
- Pokemon: Sword & Shield - Shining Fates Pikachu V Box
- Pokemon: Sun & Moon - Hidden Fates Elite Trainer Box
Plus, many more! You can also try finding rare cards through the Pokémon trading game community.
Try Reaching Out to Friends
Card games are meant to be played together with friends, so what better way to find rare cards than through your fellow community of players? You can start by offering a trade of cards you have in exchange for rare cards.
Nowadays, you can find an online group of people looking to trade their cards. Here you can ask around to see if anyone has a rare card that you'd like, or offer your own cards up for sale.
Another option for finding rare cards is challenging your friends to a game, and putting one of your rare cards on the line. Presenting a rare card might encourage your friend to do the same.
Therefore, whoever wins gets a new rare card!
Along with online retailers, selling groups, and betting on rare cards during a game, you can play in local tournaments. Once you have a strong deck prepared you can enter competitions in your neighborhood.
If you win these tournaments you can win a large number of cards, which could have a few rare cards hidden amongst them. You don't want to miss out on the chance to win free cards this way!
Entering competitions is by far the most cost-effective option, and it's a good way to meet new people that like your hobby. But, is it really worth it to invest in rare cards?
Rare Cards Are Worth the Investment
As rare cards are incredibly hard to find and are in limited supply, by investing in them you're not just gaining a collectible item. These cards can be worth a lot of money.
If you don't believe it then this example will convince you. In 2018, a man named Gary broke the news with his expensive collection of Pokémon cards which were worth $5 million.
Yes, you read that right.
But, even if you don't want to sell your cards just yet you might in the future. So, investing in rare cards now is a long-term financial investment that could pay off down the line.
Connects You to a Global Community
The internet is a wonderful place for connecting with people from all over the world, and Pokémon cards give you the perfect opportunity to be part of a global community.
No matter if you just want to share your passion with others, or if you're looking to trade rare cards to an international market, the options are endless with Pokémon cards!
Easy to Store
After you've collected your rare cards you'll want to keep them somewhere safe so they don't get damaged over time. Luckily, you can store rare cards with the right sleeve and protective folder.
Unlike other hobbies like painting which require a full studio with space to hang various paintings on the wall, collecting rare Pokémon cards is easy as you don't need acres of space.
You can keep your folders in a neat pile on your desk, or in your bedroom.
You Don’t Need to Know Everything About Pokémon
Some people might read the word Pokémon and think that you need to have watched the show for years to play the game. However, that's not true.
Even though the original show is for children, that doesn't mean the trading game is for young players. There is a large adult community of collectors who are enthusiastic about the game, and finding cards.
If people can collect stamps and other sports memorabilia, then why not Pokémon cards?
Upgrade Your Collection With Rare Cards Now
Getting started with a new game is always exciting when you start learning the rules, playing with friends, and discovering rare Pokémon cards. But, you can never have enough as a true collector.
You're always searching for the next unique card to add to your deck and place in your collection folder. Therefore, investing in booster packs, or booster boxes from Breaking Bangers is a good place to start!
Treat yourself to some new cards today, and who knows, maybe you'll find that secret rare you've been dreaming of...
Take a look, and if you need to know anything else, don't hesitate to reach out.