# Best Dark Starter Trio \[POLL\] **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Tags:** charizard, trio\ **Created:** [October 29, 2025, 11:05am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/best-dark-starter-trio-poll/58958 "2025-10-29T11:05:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![banks](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/banks/32/255729_2.png) [@banks](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/banks)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2025, 11:05am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/best-dark-starter-trio-poll/58958/1 "2025-10-29T11:05:41Z")
Most trios that I collect are obvious sets. This is not the case for the Dark Kanto Starter Trios because - The Dark Venusaur line did not release with English and Japanese Team Rocket sets - No bulbasaur was made to go along with itโ€™s dark evolutions. I decided to visualize which trio I should collect with a gallery and thought it would be fun to share with yโ€™all. Feel free to vote and discuss your favourite arrangement of the dark trio. # English & Promos | Pros ๐Ÿ“ˆ | Cons ๐Ÿ“‰ | | --- | --- | | ๐Ÿ™‚ 1st ed stamps sexy af | ๐Ÿ˜‘ 1st ed stamps donโ€™t match the promos, unlimited solves this | | ๐Ÿ™‚ Requires less effort to read than the other sets for non-native Japanese speakers | ๐Ÿ˜‘ Mismatched borders | | | ๐Ÿ˜‘ No matching EN bulbasaur | | | ๐Ÿ˜‘ Venusaur is non-holo, breaks 2nd stage evolution pattern | ![nobulbasaur](https://efour.b-cdn.net/images/transparent.png) ![charmander](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/b/5/b5bb8910c50b706274c3b3522008cbdbffb5b149.jpeg) ![squirtle](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/6/1/61dc2348327b621738262e06cf3cd5b82bf999d3.jpeg) ![ivysaur](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/7/9/799f9c99f1044a4eace8a93966d9c5c014f3edb5.jpeg) ![charmeleon](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/9/3/93b255b2f348888dd0ab9ca310b7b462413bfb99.jpeg) ![wartortle](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/7/d/7d210bdbc4a75b843c824ff3d3c3758fce0668b2.jpeg) ![darkvenusaur](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/f/e/fe79f73badf38dcb4499954a3698395648a649eb.jpeg) ![charizard](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/b/b/bbcf0b3df8b3d25e2c2c1a78373783816e8c38d7.jpeg) ![blastoise](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/f/6/f68d3bbd7107a3945baff1b6d5ea1128cfe75a65.jpeg) * * * * * * # Japanese & Promos | Pros ๐Ÿ“ˆ | Cons ๐Ÿ“‰ | | --- | --- | | ๐Ÿ™‚ Intro deck bulbasaur is available to us in Japanese | ๐Ÿ˜‘ Intro deck bulbasaur already belongs to the intro deck line | | ๐Ÿ™‚ Matching borders | | ![bulbasaur](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/5/6/561801cc7bb983f9328f2776e86f3b97b2c35727.jpeg) ![charmander](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/e/0/e0771cf47c5a2d3cc022e86a641796561d046c50.jpeg) ![squirtle](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/f/f/ff2992b73946b9d1276d03cc980a0384412a6013.jpeg) ![ivysaur](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/e/4/e4b2cbd59e152f10f2af3800044fb45e089a5adb.jpeg) ![darkcharmeleon](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/b/a/ba42d619b9bde5b0dd384cb08cbcdff013a8ef6a.jpeg) ![darkwartortle](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/6/c/6ce4b261ba9a23d451cc0d742d4bd7c536806c7c.jpeg) ![venusaur](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/6/1/61657e0faee70e33867911457ef0e28eebd31031.jpeg) ![charizard](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/c/4/c4492beec59493403393f8fc06358e0a26d414b5.jpeg) ![blastoise](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/4/e/4eba533db9afe69404899e7f9243443171b7548a.jpeg) * * * * * * # WEB Series | Pros ๐Ÿ“ˆ | Cons ๐Ÿ“‰ | | --- | --- | | ๐Ÿ™‚ Perfect set of 6 in the same style | ๐Ÿ˜‘ Missing bulbasaur, charmander, squirtle. Adding the basic trio breaks the web series set | > **Visualize Basic Starter Trio On Top (Desktop Only)** > > ![](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/5/6/561801cc7bb983f9328f2776e86f3b97b2c35727.jpeg) > ![](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/e/0/e0771cf47c5a2d3cc022e86a641796561d046c50.jpeg) > ![](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/f/f/ff2992b73946b9d1276d03cc980a0384412a6013.jpeg) ![ivysaur](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/a/9/a955a1e8dfb05c298eeb6d83bc5280f7c186a6df.jpeg) ![charmeleon](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/b/8/b804cd1f7d201dc96aec16ad8d8576bc70e192da.jpeg) ![wartortle](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/3/5/3547d358df07056a8fc1773ec57913e35efa5a9c.jpeg) ![venusaur](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/4/6/4645c19fe55609a12443d98fbfc58d4668500d23.jpeg) ![charizard](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/c/1/c1d5a657f02e82ea657ddc911cf95a4932ea2006.jpeg) ![blastoise](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/f/9/f9aa31753c6f6aa67cd7335fcbd2913317ec8da1.jpeg) # Which set do you prefer? _Poll ([view on site](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/best-dark-starter-trio-poll/58958/1))_ # Question Which Bulbasaur would you add to round out your preferred set? ---
**Author:** ![DarthEevee](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/dartheevee/32/219955_2.png) [@DarthEevee](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/DarthEevee)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2025, 11:19am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/best-dark-starter-trio-poll/58958/2 "2025-10-29T11:19:28Z")
Personally it would bother me that the borders are different, so I have two options for you. - if you go WEB series, add expedition 95 bulbasaur, 98 charmander, 132 squirtle - if you go non web, consider vending bulbasaur as your base choice since color wise itโ€™s more similar to the other two. You _could_ switch the charmander and squirtle to vending but having the R makes sense ---
**Author:** ![kamex](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/kamex/32/233970_2.png) [@kamex](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/kamex)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2025, 11:31am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/best-dark-starter-trio-poll/58958/3 "2025-10-29T11:31:13Z")
> [@DarthEevee](#): > > if you go non web, consider vending bulbasaur as your base choice since color wise itโ€™s more similar to the other two. +1 to this, this would be my preferred arrangement. In addition to the vending seriesโ€™s blue skin, bulbasaur looks like he already has a bit of an attitude in that artwork which would work nicely. ---
**Author:** ![decoypalmette](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/decoypalmette/32/254336_2.png) [@decoypalmette](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/decoypalmette)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2025, 12:16pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/best-dark-starter-trio-poll/58958/4 "2025-10-29T12:16:20Z")
I like both JP and WEB. I would say that vintage jp feels a little more coherent, since cards share almost the same layout, and itโ€™s the โ€œoriginalโ€ one. Breaking the evolution line is also a pity, so itโ€™s my favorite option. Wotc unfortunately would be a bit of a mess, with different borders. Thatโ€™s what I have in my binders though. ---
**Author:** ![c0ll3ct0r](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/c0ll3ct0r/32/26306_2.png) [@c0ll3ct0r](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/c0ll3ct0r)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2025, 12:28pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/best-dark-starter-trio-poll/58958/5 "2025-10-29T12:28:38Z")
WEB + McDonalds ---
**Author:** ![mrtonyz](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/mrtonyz/32/154105_2.png) [@mrtonyz](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/mrtonyz)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2025, 12:33pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/best-dark-starter-trio-poll/58958/6 "2025-10-29T12:33:56Z")
Definitely Web, everything matches, itโ€™s unique enough to tell a story beyond just set cards, plus the holo E series borders adds extra flair. I might actually try for those 3 myself now! Great post. ---
**Author:** ![banks](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/banks/32/255729_2.png) [@banks](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/banks)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2025, 12:52pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/best-dark-starter-trio-poll/58958/7 "2025-10-29T12:52:41Z")
Great suggestions, here is a visualization for those following along: ## Web Series + Mcdonalds Stop making sense @c0ll3ct0r ๐Ÿ˜‚ The matching e-series borders are too good. Shame that bulbasaur is the odd man out again ![BulbasaurMcDonaldPack1](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/2/b/2bc0f9d8c14bf2e65e30b24e8d1ee7796eb262aa.jpeg) ![270px-CharmanderMcDonaldPack4](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/0/f/0ff4a0ba072a1d6f255d7f8d1823d8c3b84f5858.jpeg) ![charmander](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/f/f/ff315e27b4eca011c14ba0769f44d416dbb66075.jpeg) ![ivysaur](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/a/9/a955a1e8dfb05c298eeb6d83bc5280f7c186a6df.jpeg) ![charmeleon](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/b/8/b804cd1f7d201dc96aec16ad8d8576bc70e192da.jpeg) ![wartortle](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/3/5/3547d358df07056a8fc1773ec57913e35efa5a9c.jpeg) ![venusaur](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/4/6/4645c19fe55609a12443d98fbfc58d4668500d23.jpeg) ![charizard](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/c/1/c1d5a657f02e82ea657ddc911cf95a4932ea2006.jpeg) ![blastoise](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/f/9/f9aa31753c6f6aa67cd7335fcbd2913317ec8da1.jpeg) ## Web Series + Expedition Starters ![image](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/3/8/3862119dd7d40c7d3652239c8cabf6e286e547c3.jpeg) ![image](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/1/0/104a92c3bf82bf4a80b719ba05e859deb3df1d19.jpeg) ![image](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/b/5/b597eb9d4faac6d9b5f55e39665880d6e5f7537a.jpeg) ![ivysaur](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/a/9/a955a1e8dfb05c298eeb6d83bc5280f7c186a6df.jpeg) ![charmeleon](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/b/8/b804cd1f7d201dc96aec16ad8d8576bc70e192da.jpeg) ![wartortle](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/3/5/3547d358df07056a8fc1773ec57913e35efa5a9c.jpeg) ![venusaur](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/4/6/4645c19fe55609a12443d98fbfc58d4668500d23.jpeg) ![charizard](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/c/1/c1d5a657f02e82ea657ddc911cf95a4932ea2006.jpeg) ![blastoise](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/f/9/f9aa31753c6f6aa67cd7335fcbd2913317ec8da1.jpeg) ## Rocket Gang + Vending Series Bulbasaur ![bulbasaur](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/c/8/c8fe33486011e2335479cfb487e5bacaae48e5ec.jpeg) ![charmander](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/e/0/e0771cf47c5a2d3cc022e86a641796561d046c50.jpeg) ![squirtle](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/f/f/ff2992b73946b9d1276d03cc980a0384412a6013.jpeg) ![ivysaur](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/e/4/e4b2cbd59e152f10f2af3800044fb45e089a5adb.jpeg) ![darkcharmeleon](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/b/a/ba42d619b9bde5b0dd384cb08cbcdff013a8ef6a.jpeg) ![darkwartortle](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/6/c/6ce4b261ba9a23d451cc0d742d4bd7c536806c7c.jpeg) ![venusaur](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/6/1/61657e0faee70e33867911457ef0e28eebd31031.jpeg) ![charizard](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/c/4/c4492beec59493403393f8fc06358e0a26d414b5.jpeg) ![blastoise](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/4/e/4eba533db9afe69404899e7f9243443171b7548a.jpeg) Initially, I went with Intro Deck Bulbasaur because that is the card they used for the dark line in PTCG 2 Team Great Rocket for the Game Boy, but the addition of Vending Series Bulbasaur really pops. ---
**Author:** ![decoypalmette](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/decoypalmette/32/254336_2.png) [@decoypalmette](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/decoypalmette)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2025, 1:06pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/best-dark-starter-trio-poll/58958/8 "2025-10-29T13:06:58Z")
Vending evil bulba is ๐Ÿ‘Œ ---
**Author:** ![mrbubbles](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/mrbubbles/32/255723_2.png) [@mrbubbles](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/mrbubbles)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2025, 1:21pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/best-dark-starter-trio-poll/58958/9 "2025-10-29T13:21:44Z")
You can also go all Japanese promos. ![BulbasaurMcDonaldPack1](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/2/b/2bc0f9d8c14bf2e65e30b24e8d1ee7796eb262aa.jpeg) ![270px-CharmanderMcDonaldPack4](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/0/f/0ff4a0ba072a1d6f255d7f8d1823d8c3b84f5858.jpeg) ![McDonalds Promo](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/f/f/ff315e27b4eca011c14ba0769f44d416dbb66075.jpeg) ![images-1](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/0/2/027e5d90c0d7d5ac106508b3238888cb9ceaf2f8.jpeg) ![images](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/2/0/20179a0c84ffd3c692aecf75b612d1edb7fbae12.jpeg) ![images](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/1/3/13e916652c7b645973fdec2788b26d5660b0e4be.jpeg) ![show_venusaur-starter-triple-get-campaign-p-promos](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/b/1/b1bd6017abf91ea9da31c5237ae2b9925c722fd3.jpeg) ![images](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/0/b/0b75da0f0f21661909fdcc52423c7cd3d680f48a.jpeg) ![1600](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/8/2/8285799c5a26c0228e333dd5d572ca23c6c76a07.jpeg) The T-Promos can also be a nice mix and match with WEB since they have the classic e-reader border. So you can have 3 different sets if paired with Vending. Cheers! ---
**Author:** ![DarthEevee](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/dartheevee/32/219955_2.png) [@DarthEevee](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/DarthEevee)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2025, 2:33pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/best-dark-starter-trio-poll/58958/10 "2025-10-29T14:33:26Z")
I know itโ€™s tooting my own horn but the vending bulba completes the set I feel ---
**Author:** ![joponnes](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/joponnes/32/267759_2.png) [@joponnes](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/joponnes)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2025, 6:33pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/best-dark-starter-trio-poll/58958/11 "2025-10-29T18:33:40Z")
I agree, they all felt that something isnโ€™t completely right until the vending bulba + rocket gang was there ---
**Author:** ![codytcas](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/codytcas/32/32333_2.png) [@codytcas](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/codytcas)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2025, 10:26pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/best-dark-starter-trio-poll/58958/12 "2025-10-29T22:26:54Z")
Not gonna lie Iโ€™m about to steal your idea ๐Ÿ™‚ I have the CD promos on the wall now but I think I might spice it up. ---
**Author:** ![DarthEevee](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/dartheevee/32/219955_2.png) [@DarthEevee](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/DarthEevee)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2025, 11:54pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/best-dark-starter-trio-poll/58958/13 "2025-10-29T23:54:09Z")
No offense at all, I am very happy to suggest unique personal collections for others ---
**Author:** ![MidEraCollector](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/mideracollector/32/197135_2.png) [@MidEraCollector](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/MidEraCollector)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2025, 1:48pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/best-dark-starter-trio-poll/58958/14 "2025-10-30T13:48:03Z")
poor Bulbasaur line always getting the shaft. So many years later, the Squirtle and Charizard from these promos are so iconic but this grass starter line is forgotten As for Banks question, Iโ€™ve always felt that dark chameleon from team rocket is his best card. The middle evolutions stand out to me so I think the Web series looks great but nothing beats the complete Japanese and promos set