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How To Play Digimon Trading Card Game: 9 FAQs For Beginners

The Digimon trading card game was launched in 2020 and has quickly gained popularity due to its engaging metagame, avoidance of power creep, and appeal to collectors.

Additionally, the game holds a special place in the hearts of anime fans, which has contributed to its growing player base.

If you are a newcomer or a returning player looking to reignite your passion for the game, this article will provide you with all the necessary information.

We will cover the basics of learning the rules and where to do so, What are recommended starter decks, which set offers the best value, and unique options for collectors.

Mastering the Rules

Despite the complexity of many games in the trading card genre, the Digimon trading card game boasts a refreshingly simple ruleset. 

Players accustomed to titles such as Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokemon, or Magic: The Gathering will find the Digimon TCG’s regulations to be far more streamlined. 

The entire core rulebook spans just 17 pages, yet the game provides surprising depth, given its relatively short time on the market.

For those seeking alternative ways to learn how to play the Digimon TCG, a free online tutorial is available here. This tutorial is comprehensive and will equip you with the knowledge needed to get started.

Getting Started: What to Buy First?

For many new players of the Digimon TCG, the question of what to purchase to embark on their journey can be puzzling. 

While the value of Digimon trading cards is currently high, it is often more advantageous to acquire boxes and starter decks than selecting singles. 

Moreover, purchasing singles at the beginning stage of the game may cause confusion and result in obtaining cards that do not complement each other.

While boxes are declining in price, such as Battle for Omni, which used to cost over $100 but is now more affordable, starter decks remain an optimal choice for new players who want to learn the game quickly. 

In fact, purchasing two starter decks is the best way to familiarize yourself with the Digimon TCG and get started!

Starter Decks for New Players

Newcomers to the Digimon TCG should aim to obtain the two most recent starter decks, ST-9: Starter Deck Ultimate Ancient Dragon and ST-10: Starter Deck Parallel World Tactician, as they offer a strong foundation for building a formidable card collection.

Each starter deck consists of:

  • A set of 54 cards
  • 16 different cards
  • 5 Commons
  • 6 Uncommons
  • 3 Rares
  • 2 Super Rare
  • 2 Memory Gauges
  • The Japanese edition of the Digimon starter decks includes a Playsheet.

The two decks on offer feature a range of popular cards commonly used in the top-tier decks of today’s TCG scene. They are also ideal for learning the game as they are well-focused, which sets them apart from most other starter decks in the Digimon TCG.

While earlier starter decks are available, they may be less powerful and not as helpful in teaching newer game mechanics.

However, if you have a fondness for a specific Digimon from an earlier starter deck, they may still be a worthwhile option. These two decks are evenly matched, making them a great choice for playing with a friend on a budget. 

Additionally, each deck includes an exclusive card featuring its titular Digimon.

digimon trading cards

Booster Boxes Of Digimon Trading Card Game

If you’re a fan of Digimon trading card game, you know the importance of a booster box. And when it comes to Battle for Omni, there’s no doubt it’s one of the best sets out there. 

However, it’s important to note that some Amazon customers have reported receiving resealed boxes. Therefore, it’s recommended to purchase your booster boxes from a reputable retailer.

The Battle for Omni booster box contains some incredible cards that could greatly enhance your meta decks. Here are some of the best picks from the set:

  • HexeBlaumon: A versatile card that can be the centerpiece of your source control decks.
  • MetalGarurumon: An outstanding addition to your turbo Omnimon Zwart decks.
  • Shoutmon DX: A fantastic addition to any red deck, including the Gallantmon starter deck.
  • LordKnightmon: An excellent card for those who enjoy yellow decks and board-spam tactics.
  • ZeigGreymon: One of the reasons why red decks are still relevant in the meta.
  • Weedmon & Paimon: Support cards that work well with a new and fun green deck – Green Digi Burst.
  • BlackWarGrowlmon: A must-have card for any Purple Cresgarurumon decks.

In summary, Battle for Omni booster boxes are a great investment for any serious Digimon TCG player. Just make sure to purchase them from a trustworthy retailer to avoid getting a resealed box.

If you’re new to the game and don’t understand some of these terms, don’t worry. 

Keep an eye out for these cards in your booster boxes. The set features many new versions of Omnimon, which is not only the most popular LV 7 Digimon but also an iconic character. Pulling one of these cards can be incredibly valuable.

In addition, the set supports budget and less meta decks such as Blue Garurumon & AncientGarurumon decks, which became meta in BT-06. Since the set provides the building blocks for many archetypes, the cards within are expected to remain relevant for years to come.

Not only are the cards in the set fun, but they also feature stunning alternate art treatments. Some of these include ChaosGallantmon (BT5-081), Shoutmon DX (BT5-019), Omnimon Zwart (BT5-087), and Omnimon X-Anti-body (BT5-111).

Should You Invest in the Digimon Card Game?

Aside from the financial investment, joining a TCG requires a significant time commitment. To succeed in today’s market, a new TCG like the Digimon TCG must not only provide good financial value but also deliver a balanced gameplay experience.

This article will examine the key factors that determine whether a card game is worth playing for most players.

digimon trading card game 2020

Is There Diversity in the Meta of the Digimon Card Game?

While primarily important for competitive players, a diverse meta signifies that game developers have enough creativity to create a healthy competitive experience as well as an enjoyable casual one.

How does the Digimon TCG’s meta compare to its competitors in terms of variety? Typically, a TCG has 5-6 top-tier decks in a diverse meta, with off-meta decks often achieving good results.

Currently, some of the top-performing Digimon decks in high-level tournaments include Yellow Hybrid, Blue Hybrid, X-Antibody, BlackWarGreymon, Green OTK, and D-Reaper.

These 6 meta decks have all secured the top spot in a significant tournament within the last few months. This alone is a testament to a well-balanced meta, without even considering the top 8 of major tournaments.

Moreover, Digimon meta decks encompass almost every traditional TCG archetype. Yellow Hybrid is an archetypal midrange deck, Blue Hybrid is the game’s leading control deck, and D-Reaper with Omnimon Zwart Turbo represents combo.

Aside from these decks, off-the-cuff ideas can also secure a top spot or two, indicating that the meta is far from being solved. Bandai has done an excellent job maintaining a diverse meta with minimal bannings so far.

Is There Excessive Power Creep in the Digimon Card Game?

Power creep is a phenomenon that inevitably affects every TCG. It refers to the creation of new cards that are consistently better than previous versions. 

Magic: The Gathering is a game that has largely avoided power creep, as its most powerful cards come from the game’s early days.

One way to prevent power creep is by making cards situational, ensuring that there are situations in which older versions are better than newer ones. 

The Digimon TCG has done an excellent job with this, although there have been a few slip-ups. As a result, the Digimon TCG’s meta has remained stable and healthy.

The most significant area of the game where power creep has occurred is in the power level of LV 6 and LV 7 Digimon. 

However, the LV 6 and LV 7 Digimon from the early days were unremarkable and didn’t live up to the fantasy of bringing out Digimon like Omnimon. Although this could be considered power creep, it was a beneficial change according to the player base.

digimon trading card game 2022

Card Collection And Value

Collecting cards in the Digimon TCG has become more accessible in recent times. Initially, many were discouraged by the high card prices, but the game is now much cheaper to play on a semi-competitive level. 

Players can build a deck for around $50-70, and even competitive decks can be put together for just $100-150, depending on the deck of choice.

For those interested in collecting cards, the Digimon TCG offers highly sought-after alternate arts that have retained, and in some cases, increased in value over time. The one-year anniversary of the game saw the release of the most coveted collectible yet:

The “Ghost” rare Omnimon, which currently sells for around $2000 in mint condition and is expected to increase in value.

In addition to the “Ghost” rare, the Digimon TCG boasts a variety of other cool alternate arts that rival those of the Pokemon TCG. Fans of unique art treatments will appreciate the options available in the Digimon TCG.

Do I Need a Lot Of Money To Play Digimon Card Game?

Are you wondering if you can be competitive without spending a lot of money on a new Trading Card Game (TCG)? Look no further than the Digimon TCG, where you can play competitively on a budget of around $100. Check out this LordKnightmon deck list as an example.

If you’re not interested in building a deck from scratch, upgrading a starter deck is also a great way to enter the game without breaking the bank. For instance, you could upgrade your Gallantmon or UlForceVeedramon starter deck with these recommended changes.

However, don’t limit yourself to these lists. Deckbuilding is a fun and rewarding experience, especially for budget players. So, pick up a few packs and try your hand at creating something unique!

Overall, the Digimon TCG is an excellent choice for budget-conscious players. It is one of the best card games to play if you’re looking to be competitive without spending too much money, except for specific formats like Pauper in MTG.