I quit playing Pokémon TCG over a year ago. Though fun, challenging, and engaging, it also consumes time, money, and space. So instead, I chose to spend my limited free-time enjoying RPGs on my Switch. But then I started taking my son to Pokémon League again, dropping him off while I do other things. One thing led to another…and I’ve been bitten by the Pokémon bug again. But I think it’s a small bite with a bonus.

Pokémon League

Hanging around Pokémon League again planted the Pokémon seed. Then recently, my deck box, stashed in my closet, caught my eye and sparked something in me. I grabbed it, looked at one of my last battle decks, and recalled how fun it was to play it. Okay, cool. But I told myself to put it away; don’t get sucked back in.

But of course, my brain was already re-hooked. Pokémon is like a curious puzzle to me. A certain ability or attack will stick out. Then my mind starts automatically pulling in other bits of info, different trainers and Pokémon, items, and other supporting cards. I’ll ponder the different types of decks and tactics.

Anyways, this is a recurring pattern with Pokémon TCG. There are always new expansions and cards to refresh veteran players and recruit new ones. I’ve been out of the loop for so long, I kind of feel like a newbie again, starting over. I played the previous Sun/Moon and Sword/Shield sets but never any of the current Scarlet/Violet sets with its new “ex” and “ancient/future” mechanics.

TCG Live

Then again, my old Pokémon knowledge and skills resurfaced very quickly the other day. It was almost like I never quit playing. For the first time, I tried the relatively new mobile game, Pokémon TCG Live, migrating all my PTCGO data over. I won my first real battle with an Arcanine ex deck, using a Charizard ability to boost energy. It was engaging!

One more evidence the bug has bitten me again: my wallet.

“Voting with my dollars,” I fueled interest in Pokémon TCG. Thanks to good ol’ TCG Player, I bought an ETB (a box full of extra cards and stuff) from the Obsidian Flames expansion. I’m kind of giddy, anticipating potential “pulls.” Like the lottery, you never know when you’re going to pull a rare card for collecting or a great card for playing — or both! Unlike lotto, though, the stats for pulls are leagues better.

Small Bite, Big Benefit

I think this season of playing TCG will be milder than before due to my limited resources. But hopefully I’ll enjoy it for what it is. A highlight is the fact one of my teens is into it (and very good at it). A great benefit of TCG is building more of a relationship with my son (and my wife when she gets into it).

Sometimes we do a family game night, playing Settlers of Catan. That’s great for multiple players. But TCG is good for one-on-one competition. And it’s overall a more engaging hobby to enjoy with my kid. That’s the coolness of Pokémon TCG; it’s both a card playing thing and a card collecting thing. I’ll never forget the fond memories I have of my Dad taking me and my brother to our local card shop to buy and collect baseball cards when we were kids. Good times.

Summary

We’ll see how it goes. I’ve got to learn the current mechanics and rule changes and practice battling. TCG Live will help a lot with that. I may also play at League again, where I often glut on Humble Pie. I don’t go there to win battles. I go there to learn how to lose slightly less often. Ha! There’s more than half-truth to that.

Another thing that could fuel this newest Poké-craze: I may or may not have bought cards-n-stuff for other family as Christmas gifts this year.