Summary
ThePokémon TCGis about to release its 2024 Trainer’s Toolkit, which includes a lot of important pieces for newer players. Trainer’s Toolkits have been an annualPokémon TCGrelease for a little while now, and it’s nice to see it sticking around, unlike the comparable Deck Builder’s Toolkits fromMagic: The Gathering. Products like this are perfect for giving new players a goodbasis for building a deck. They can also be a nice way for experienced players toget their hands on some fundamental cardsthat are useful to have lying around for new decks.
Aside from a good assortment of cards, Trainer’s Toolkits also include some handy accessories that players will need to playPokémon. The box itself is also decent for card storage, which is always a plus when it comes to TCG products. While this might be a little too overwhelming to be a first purchase for new players, it is a good second step into the world of thePokémon TCG.
Pokémon TCG Reveals New September Set & Shows Off First Cards
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The Trainer’s Toolkit 2024 Includes Helpful Cards For Getting Started In Pokémon
The Toolkit Includes Trainer Cards, Energy, & Pokemon
The product description for the Trainer’s Toolkit 2024 says it includes “over 50” cards. The Toolkit from 2023 included 58 cards, not including those in booster packs. That’s probably a good estimate for the number of cards in the 2024 kit, especially because if there were many more, it would probably say “over 60” instead.
These cards are mostly Trainer cards, but there are also fourSpecial Energy cardsand 6 Pokémon. Of the Pokémon, two are analternate art version of Squakabilly ex. Squakabilly ex is a handy card for refreshing one’s hand and slots nicely into a United Wings deck. United Wings is a pretty simple strategy and would be a beginner-friendly option, making Squakabilly ex a nice choice for a promo here. As a Normal-type with a good ability for any deck, it can also be slotted into a lot of different builds.
Though there isn’t currently a list of Trainer cards available, looking at previous versions of the product can give a good idea of what to expect. Trainer’s Toolkits tend to include two to four copies of genericallygood Trainer cards like Ultra Ball or Professor’s Research. This makes the box a good jumping-off point for any deck, though players may need to search out more niche cards for certain strategies.
Aside from these cards, which should be standard between each Trainer’s Toolkit 2024, there are also fourPokémon TCGbooster packsin the kit. Previous kits have included a variety of standard legal sets instead of just having packs from one set. This gives players a wider range of possible options to go along with their starting cards.
Toolkit Accessories Make Playing The Game Easier
The Kit Includes Damage Counters And More Important Game Pieces
Getting started with a TCG includes some hidden costs that players may not realize. Players don’t just need cards but also accessories.Pokémonrequires at least some damage counters; otherwise, players won’t be able to keep track of how hurt each Pokémon is. Luckily, the Trainer’s Toolkit 2024 includes damage counters and some other accessories that players need.
Unlike somePokémonproducts, which simply include cardboard circles with numbers on them for damage counter, the Trainer’s toolkit hassix damage-counter dicewith a wide range of numbers on them. These are far more versatile than cardboard tokens and easier to maintain. The kit also includes a normal six-sided die that players can use instead of a coin for any coin flips and is legal in competitive events. There are also two condition markers to track which Pokémon have lasting status effects.
The Toolkit alsoincludes 65 card sleeves. Card sleeves are the best way to keep one’s cards in good condition, as consistent shuffling can be rough on the edges of unprotected cards. AllPokémondecks are exactly 60 cards, so this gives players enough sleeves for a full deck and some alternate cards they may want to swap in and out. The extra sleeves can also just be used to protect any valuable cards they may get in their booster packs.
Beginners Will Appreciate The Toolkit’s Other Features
A Deck Building Guide Helps Teach Basic Construction
One helpful inclusion in the Trainer’s Toolkit is a deck builder’s guidebook. This will cover the basics of putting a deck together, which can be helpful for new players who may only have played with pre-constructed decks. The kit also includes a code forPokémon TCG Live, a free-to-play digital version of thePokémon TCG.Livecan be another great way for players to learn the game and experiment with deck construction.
Overall, the Trainer’s Toolkit 2024 has a lot of good tools for newer players. That said, this probably shouldn’t be the firstPokémon TCGproduct that players buy. It might be smarter to grab a pre-constructed deck or check outPokémon TCG Liveto get a basic idea of how to play and how decks work. Then, the Trainer’s Toolkit is a good next step towards making custom deck.
