I think we can all agree that ultramodern begins with Sword & Shield, but what about modern? There are multiple eras where it could arguably have started, with no real consensus on which is correct. Is it Sun & Moon, since that’s when the standardized 4-set blocks became a thing and when side sets started coming out regularly outside of Japan? Is it Primal Clash, since that was the last set still in print when the Go boom started? Or XY, since that’s when the “modern” era started for the video games? Or is it Black & White, since that’s when the standardized card design started for gameplay purposes, cosmos foils went away, full arts became a thing, and code cards started being included with packs?
First ex cards
full arts
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Yup or this
In my book it was ex because then i was already in middle school and the art and vibe around it felt totally different than base, fossil, neo and e series. It felt “modern”
Obviously the answer to op itself is quite subjective but full arts is likely best cloest objective metric
Modern starts 2004
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What about this?
Vintage: WoTC Era
Mid Era: ex/DPP/HGSS
Modern: BW/XY/SM
Ultramodern: SwSh-present
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Vintage
Gens 1-3
Mid-era
Gens 4-6
Modern
Gens 7-9
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BW onwards. The term is kinda pointless though. Id rather refer to cards by the generation they come from or specific design mechanics instead of a term that has no clear definition.
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Hard to say, but I think as time passes, the spectrum continues to shift. You can also segment it to reflect not just time, but with the direction the art takes such as full arts, character rares, etc.
When I came back into the hobby in late 2020, I always saw XY, SM, and SWSH (obviously) as modern. Then I had DPt- BW as mid era. The original ex era and before was vintage to me. I can also accept that anything WOTC is vintage and the ex era fitting into the mid-era tier too.
I’ve heard lots of different takes about the different eras fitting into various time frames and they’re all so interesting.
Great topic! Looking forward to seeing more takes.
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Black and White is starting to get some grey hairs.
You heard it here first.
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at 15 years old
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Gotta watch that stress.
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Being around a guy like Ghetsis will do that to ya.
Silver borders on Occidental sets for me
I used to think original EX, but I think Full Arts are a good line in the sand.
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Got to say Black and White. The cosmos foil is no longer the standard and the start of full arts, everything before it really does have a different feel.
Modern is the current TCG generation and the immediate past TCG generation. As of today, modern is Mega Evo and SV. In 2021 modern was SWSH and SM. Once we get Gen 10 TCG in late 2027/early 2028, modern will then be Gen 10 and Mega.
In my opinion there are no easily distinguishable lines where you can divide the TCG into distinct eras of “vintage,” “modern,” etc. Whatever you define “modern” as must also deal with the reality that your “modern” sets will eventually not be “modern” once enough time passes. I would argue that the distinguishing characteristics of modern (i.e. available in quantity at retail outlets, in print, within TCG rotation, etc.) support a shifting definition over time.
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Yeah, I like this definition.
I do personally see BW as the point where cards began to look like the current ones with full arts etc.
Although it still feels weird when buying an expensive or difficult to track down BW card, wondering why it’s so tough to get in clean condition, and THEN having that reality check of how old they actually are…
BW- is modern. Fucked holo and full arts.
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There is only vintage and contemporary. Mid era is not a thing, a contrivance made up by people who collect Pokemon cards and nothing else.
And what constitutes as vintage will change as time passes.