id like to have all the goldstars in PSA7 or higher :]
and a base set venusaur to complete all the base set starters
AAAANd i havent looked at the promos yet but im sure i want something from there as well.
Unsure if this has been said or not and not really a item, but having at least one of your cards displayed in some way is a must have for me. Be it a stand, on a shelf, in a frame what have you. Displays are always great to look at and I’m really proud when I make one I like!
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This is a fun one 
For my collection, there are a few that I have on my “need to have” list, which I’m hoping to pick up in the next year or so. I want to get into some more Japanese promos as well, but don’t know enough about them to know which I want to go after.
Corocoro Mew
Neo Shinings
Shining Legends Shinings
Amazing Rares
Supreme Victors Legendary Birds
Masaki Gengar
Crystal Ho-oh
Growing up in the golden era, owning the Charizard and Blastoise Japanese CD promo cards hits me every time. No brainer addition to any OG collection. PS - Pokémon Red
Your first ever card on display 
How a signed card from your favorite artist? Or a signed card from a fellow collector, influencer?
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My tastes are pretty normal and I hold these cards above all others… well outside of the illustrator/OG Pika trophies/unikarp etc but they’re so expensive that I don’t identify them as a “must have” for my collection.
Japanese Birthday Pikachu
Ancient Mew I (corrected)
CD Promo Trio
CoroCoro Shining Mew
Japanese Base starter trio w/ rarity symbol
Sort of a must have
GB Lugia/Dragonite
Japanese Neo Lugia/Pichu/starter trio (genesis+premium file)
Japanese Fossil Dragonite/Bird Trio
CD Promo Snorlax/Porygon
Masaki Promos
Fan Club Eevee/Porygon
Japanese Neo shining magikarp/gyarados
Mt Fuji Pikachu/1st ana flying pikachu/ana dragonite
1996 pikachu/jigglypuff (first release) (might add 1998 corrected to this)
This probably belongs in unpopular opinion but I don’t like the embossed shining cards.
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1st edition base Charizard, 1st edition LOB Blue Eyes White Dragon and Alpha black lotus in that order. Won’t every own them in mint condition unless I win the lotto but I would say those are the top three.
You almost described the base of my collection to a tee, almost scary. But yea I definitely agree with you on this list, the essentials for fans of early iconic cards and more affordable japanese promos. I would also add early mcdonalds promos and personal favorite e series cards as well.
I must have all the Weiss Schwarz Re:Zero signed tropical cards… only 5 cards… I must have them. Once I have them I can get back to collecting Pokemon… specifically I must have the Japanese Charizard, Blastoise, Venusaur CD promos. 2018 I didn’t think much of their artwork… by the time I realized its the English booster pack artwork, it was already umping up in price… to this day I can’t work out if I really want the CD promos because, or becuae they are now harder to find and expensive.
Complete 1st ed sets of base through gym, in mint !
That + the booster boxes from each is the dream 
Agreed. I prefer the ones from Neo Rev. I guess I’m just a sucka for a nice holo pattern.
Southern Islands set, in Japanese or English, it’s such a beautifully well done set that it’s always a pleasure to see in my album.
For me, Scream Promos and every base Machop psa 10. those will never leave (and so are necessary).
For everyone? One card that represents “nostalgia” and one that represents “personal taste.”
you know? a card that someone would think, “who the HECK cares for THAT?!”
but the art, the story of getting it, the chase, WHATEVER, represents your collecting.
If you wouldn’t mind, could you explain the difference between the 1996 and the 1998 version of these cards? I’m just getting in to Japanese promos and find it’s easier to ask someone who knows already. 
1998 corrected only applies to the Pikachu because the illustrator is wrong.
This thread can provide the best explanation.www.elitefourum.com/t/japanese-ivy-pikachu-reprinted-corocoro-variant/29544/1
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Everyone should have at least one illustrator binder. Find an illustrator whose artwork you find enjoyable, and just start collecting all of their cards in a binder. You don’t have to be quick about it, and you don’t even have to collect them all, especially in the case where some cards are out of reach price wise. But might as well sort by illustrator I say; it boils everything down to a concentrated enjoyment, when you gather a great artist’s work and let it do all the talking.
There have been times when a new card comes in the mail for one of these binders, especially like a Komiya or Kusajima, and when you pick it up for the first time it just hits hard right in the chest. For me its the most enjoyable kind of collecting I’ve done. Much more fun than collecting sets or characters.
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My take would be what cards truly light your fire the most, have at least more than one copy so you can be tripped out. Then obligatory Ancient Mew.
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This one is my favorite.
I have a banged up base set 2 charizard with a massive crease in it that I’d never sell for anything. I vividly remember showing it off on the playground in elementary school, building decks for my little brothers and forcing them to play me so I could whip out his awesome attacks. It’ll never leave my collection.
Unless someone wants to trade me an illustrator for it. I may have to think about that one.