I’m curious what E4 prefers in it’s collection, and what makes you more interested or excited for a release. I think this is a question more to collectors, as investment value will be less affected by the identity or cohesion of a set, all other things being equal. No?
And, when I say “identity” I mean a strong, cohesive theme for a set, like Winter, Aquapolis, Team Magma, Shinies, 151, etc.
So, with the Plethora of Prime chase cards, and a Robust Roster of sets released to this date, which is more interesting to you: Unique Set Identity or Quality Chase Cards?
Give me a VS-quality set any day. I think VS is a good example. Outside of Karen’s Umbreon I don’t think there are really any true “chase” cards. And some of the best cards in the set aren’t the holos.
While chase cards today have never looked better, the overall sets are forgettable. Why people will always talk about most of wotc, most of ex, pokekyun, evolutions, shining legends, 151 is because its fun putting together a full set. Its a big reason why the Rocket set is so highly anticipated!
Today I feel like the chase cards are a category of their own, where prior eras they were more related to the previous evolutions or overall theme. With that said, modern chase cards are so good they can carry new sets. However I think we are potentially in the weakest set identify era.
I chose chase cards because that’s where my collecting is at - ironically because the set identities are so poor.
They need to hone in cohesive set themes, while also cutting down the size of sets at the same time. There’s no way I’d even want to go for completion in a 270+ card set, even if it had a stellar line-up.
Thinking back to the times I was most excited to collect things, it was definitely when a set had a fun theme or aesthetic.
This is very much how I feel. I’ve been more interested in opening Magic the last few years, simply for this reason.
Ah, yes. BUT If you had to pick one… I agree tho. I think it’s also important for the IP because if it’s just chase cards, many can’t afford them; Only set identity, then they might not sell as many packs.
The most recent example putting this to the test is Paradise Dragona
The Dragon theme is highly anticipated, all the ex cards so far are actually Dragon Pokémon, and it’s well on track to having more Dragon Pokémon in a set than EX Dragon with fewer cards
The caveat is that it’s missing a lot of popular Dragons like Rayquaza, Giratina, Dragonite or even Charizard. How interested will you be in this set if it does end up excluding all of them upon the full reveal?
I’d pick cohesion as well but history has proved that chase is king. I won’t name any names, But put a few cool gold stars in one of the weakest ex sets, it becomes the best ex set to the general public.
So e4 s opinion will almost certainly not match the markets
It depends on the set! I feel that the smaller, older sets are more cohesive and make flipping through the binder funner for me personally. Newer sets (anything after HGSS for me) I tend to just buy the individual cards that I really like.
I voted chase cards. 151 and Celebrations are the only sets that I’ve felt any sort of identity from since I started collecting and I really appreciated those aspects. But would that apply if normal sets had some sort of cohesion to them? I haven’t had a chance to find out.
@xileets 151 has had higher price floors than most sets for undesirable rarities like full art Pokemon because the set itself is collectible.
I’d also argue that Celebrations held longer than expected (in hindsight) considering how small the set is and thus how quick it is to finish it.
I would disagree mainly because I am pretty strict with set identity. The ex may all be Dragon thus far, but then we have Smoochum, Gimmighoul, Rufflet etc. TPC almost never goes all out on set identity.
I agree tho. I think it’s also important for the IP because if it’s just chase cards, many can’t afford them; Only set identity, then they might not sell as many packs.