I can weigh in on this some, as I’m still actively collecting a master set of this graded (getting closer all the time).
Does it have a base set feel? It has a base set look, the art is literally the same. But the “Hype” it has is nothing like 1999 base set, it’s not even close. As such, I don’t think it generates the same level of nostalgia as you might hope. While I know the set is not crazy popular, for a rare few of us it certainly is.
Low PSA pop is a big deal for this set and the market is reacting accordingly. Some of the hardest holos to find in a PSA 10 are going for well over 2500 auction, and I would argue a true collector would pay more for certain cards. But will they eventually be, as you put it: sought after? I think that has already happened and their value is accurately represented. I don’t think this will be the next big thing anytime in the next 10-20 years. If you were to speculate on this I would say you’ll have a pretty minimal return.
I don’t see evolutions being something people are going to suddenly jump on because of nostalgia, it was released at the wrong time, did not have a good print run, and was not popular with the core group of fans.
Now, why bother to collect it at all? I know for me it’s worth it because I find most of the cards reasonably priced and a few of them I would speculate on (charizard is always a winner!) and I, unlike most, actually like the set. It’s more of a passion and chase thing rather than a “I’m sitting on a million dollars!” thing.
My opinion for whatever it’s worth, is that it’s a fun set to collect! It does have some history behind it and I think that’s cool. I own something like 83/103 of the first edition base set cards, and while I’ll never be able to finish that set I KNOW I can finish this one. So, just enjoy the chase on this one, it won’t be worth a million bucks in the future but it will be worth something.
that is actually pretty high for clefairy that one was def way lower. afaik it is only like the pop 6 or w/e ones and charizard that are normally over 1000. HA sold the entire holo set for like 4k so that looking like quite a deal now
I don´t really understand this. I think it was released at the right time, amidst the Pokémon-GO hype. I think a lot of people came back because of this set.
I think the core group of fans did not like it (and I get that) but I also think it would be a mistake to think that the core group then (and maybe still now) is a big portion of the people that are/will be nostalgic for them.
I appreciate all the imput though. I guess we have different opinions.
PoGo released in July of 2016. The card set available then was Steam Siege, which might help explain why that particular card set is explosive now. Evolutions came several months after, to a response that was less than thrilled by the fan base. “Reprint” sets have never done well for Pokemon, and Evolutions was no different.
I would have to disagree, if the 2016 fan base was more of a “PoGo” crowd. The group that came after (and still dominates the market place) is what I would call the covid era or 2020 group. This is where we were introduced to tons of flippers and new people in the secondary market. That group is still dominate but does not have the same nostalgia for cards printed before they were even in the market space. You can’t be nostalgic for something you were never a part of.
If anything your looking for niche collectors to play in evolutions. As such I think you’ll see the same amount of chase here as collectors interested in Base set two, Legendary Collection, and Call of Legends.
Speculating on pop reports when a large latent supply exists is not something that I would recommend. Just like Jungle Eevee and Jungle Pikachu over COVID, these pops could swell at the smell of serious price movement.
But let’s say that 99% of newly graded holos in this supposed Evolutions boom were PSA 9s or lower. Do you really expect a large cohort of collectors to put thousands of dollars toward… gem mint Evolutions holos?
Why? What’s the point when there are vintage originals? Not many people are nostalgic for reprint Evolutions holos. They might be nostalgic for opening the sealed product or for some of the chase cards, but regular holos? This is the main disconnect that I’m having. I can’t imagine a world in which people clamor over Evolutions holos and flex them on social media.
I think you could make money grading/obtaining PSA 10s and listing them high for set collectors to begrudgingly pay the premium, but they will be few and far between.
@ArcticLapras is always chill. See the name.
I didn’t take anything here to be overly excited. Just enthusiastically curious, which is what we all are here, no?
Some might feel it’s early to get excited, but at the same time, considering its history the set warrants more than a casual glance from time to time. Nothing big will happen right now, I think, BUT it has some promise for the future. Remember tho, there was a lot of this set printed, so, it’s hard to know what lies in wait out there.
Steam Siege is regarded as trash, right? I don´t really understand you there. I do think Evolutions was the Pokémon GO set, and was printed so much because it was eaten up.
I do agree with the Base Set 2 comparison. But, there are quite a few fans of sets like these, and the POP´s for Evolutions are much lower. Let´s agree to disagree ; )
What are the fundamental components here? Pokemon had a resurgence in 2016 because of Pokemon Go, which had a positive effect on the exposure of the trading cards. But that moment in time is remembered for the app, not for the TCG sets available. In other words, when people think about Pokemon in 2016, they are thinking about Go, not Evolutions.
Evolutions was popular not because anything novel the set did, it was popular because of the popularity of original base set. It’s because you could have the pulling-a-base-charizord-out-of-a-pack-experience for a fraction of the cost of doing it with a real base set pack.
There was a period of time between 2017 and 2019 where Evolutions was extremely unpopular because of the sheer amount they printed and kept shoving into product. I think there could have been an argument made at the time there was potential in the set then, because eventually the supply would run out. But really it was renewed interest in base set that ultimately push Evolutions up. Which makes sense, since it was the really cheap alternative.
Evolutions already had it’s moment. The prices today are stable and make sense. There’s no reason to think we should expect any significant movement. The set really relies on the stolen valour of base set. There will be a small number of people that get into Evolutions, like silversnorlax, but ultimately they are aberrations and most people really would just prefer the OG.
Based on the responses, this seems like a common view. Even the guy with the (only?) PSA 10 complete set is skeptical it’s going anywhere. If you like the set, just buy it. You don’t need a financial reason to enjoy it. If it really is just about speculating for money, I guess the common opinion has been made pretty clear in this thread.
I think Evolutions is a fun little set, I own a complete binder of it. It was extremely popular on release, the first wave sold out completely where I live. Following up it was completely printed into oblivion, outstayed its welcome and people got absolutely sick of it.
I think the only merit those tough “holos to grade” have is to give species label collectors an annoying time.
I never really agreed with the base set 2 comparison solely because the set is a homage and entwines old with new. It’s a XY set “The Generation” where you picked a 2nd starter from the first generation to introduce Mega Evolutions the XY Evolutions set reflects that by adding Mega Evolution cards and full arts.
I do think based on that it can stand on its own.
would I invest money in this set beyond novelty? no,
But it’s a lot cooler than average set that misses identity.
