Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your skills, knowing how to spot a good card can enhance your gaming experience. A card’s monetary value can also affected by these attributes, so let’s break it down simply!
Get to Know Card Types and Rarities
Familiarize yourself with the different types of cards, like creatures, spells, and enchantments. Each type plays a unique role in your deck and alters a card’s worth based on usability. Rarity Levels are the set’s way of showing how hard a certain card will be to pull. Cards come in various rarities: common, uncommon, rare, mythic rare etc, with each one harder to find than the last. Each TCG usually adopts its variant of this. We cover this in a later section – In more detail.
Playability
If you’re looking at creature cards, compare their power and toughness to their cost. A good creature should ideally offer solid stats for what you’re paying! Will it last more than a single attack, will it wipe out the other monsters? Sometimes it’s not a direct attribute like HP or Damage that makes a card playable. Take a peek at what each card can do, are there special abilities? Does it provide immediate help? or can it change the tide of the game? Cards with flexible abilities are usually winners!
Look for Synergy in Your Deck
Card Interactions are how a deck goes from good to great. Think about how the card connects with others in your deck. Cards that work well together can enhance your strategy and make your gameplay smoother. Do certain monsters need certain conditions to be summoned and are they in the deck ready? Sometimes the enabling cards can be as valuable, if not more, than the final evolution.
Embrace Versatility
Multi-Functional Cards are great for adapting and imperative to a winning strategy. Look for cards that can do a variety of things, like removing threats or drawing you more cards. Without the ability to change your playstyle, you will be able to be easily countered. These can be lifesavers in tricky spots! Some cards have Game-Changing Potential that can really switch things up in a match. Big moves like board wipes or powerful finishers can be crucial to your victory!
Stay Updated on Trends and Bans
Every game has its trends! Keep an eye on the current metagame and adapt your choices accordingly. A card that shines in one scene might not do so well in another. Keep tabs on updates about banned or restricted cards. What might be strong today could be out of action tomorrow! This generally applies to competitive play but cards often get banned due to them being “broken” in some way. Always check with your host before bringing banned cards.
Join the Community
Now I can’t empathise on this one enough, the best way to stay ahead is to be in the community. Engage in discussions on forums, go have a chat down your local card shop or even find a group on social media. Hearing what other players think can really help you refine your choices! They are often a go-to for build suggestions and competitive metas with counters online. Why struggle alone?
Play to Your Style
Choose what suits YOU! If you’re looking to enjoy a game, It’s super important to pick cards that you enjoy and connect with your play style. There is no point going for a delay strategy when waiting for something to happen is your biggest bugbear – you will soon be turned off the fun. Make a decision on whether you’re a fast-paced attacker, a strategic defender or somewhere in-between.
Experimenting with different decks and exploring different cards is how you improve. Learning what all the cards do is a big learning curve, something few master. Don’t be afraid to try out different cards! Sometimes unexpected picks can bring the most joy and effectiveness to your deck.
Appreciate Artwork and Collectibility
Art really does matter! Cute, pretty and cool cards always end up with a premium. The design and artwork of a card can add a special touch to your collection! If you’re interested in the investment side, limited prints, secret cards and full artwork cards are generally where there is value. If value is all you are interested in then there are numerous price databases out there and eBay has an option to view sold items.
Getting a great card in TCGs will fill you with happiness and give you one of the goofy grins you had as a child. Just remember to have fun with it, and if great cards were in every pack they wouldn’t be so great! Enjoy building your deck and diving into the game.