Pokémon Trading Card Game (PTCG) has been a beloved hobby for many for decades, but recent events have led to a disturbing trend: scalpers are ruining the hobby.
Its latest special expansion, Scarlet & Violet’s Eevee-filled Prismatic Evolutions, has sent the Pokémon TCG community into a frenzy.
The set’s popularity has led to sky-high prices, with some retailers charging up to 150% more than usual.
This has resulted in a dire situation, with local game stores being broken into and shop owners refusing to sell the set due to overly aggressive customers.
Will this be a continuing trend for Pokemon? And what will this mean for players and collectors alike?
Prismatic Evolution’s Abysmal Pull Rate & Absence Of Booster Box Is A Slap In The Face For Collectors
@pikapacksofficial Prismatic’s Evolutions pull rates revealed #prismaticevolution #tcg #pokemoncards ♬ original sound – PikaPacksOfficial
As fans have been eagerly awaiting the release of Prismatic Evolutions, those who managed to get their hands on the product were disappointed to find that the set doesn’t live up to the hype, as the 180-card set includes only 131 cards in the standard collection.
The inclusion of 12 Full Art Trainers, 32 Special Illustration Rares, and five Hyper Rare gold cards has also resulted in poor pull rates.
To add fuel to the fire, the absence of regular Illustration Rares has made the packs feel lighter, with the parallel set of cards featuring Poke Ball and Master Ball insignias failing to excite.
Not to mention the large pool of Special Illustration Rares ruins the probability of pulling everyone’s favourite ‘eveelution’ cards, causing a massive hike in the prices of singles.
Hence, the lack of exciting or valuable Pokémon has made the experience of opening the set disappointing.
Pokemon Scalpers Snatches Unrealistic Supplies Of Prismatic Evolutions Products
Pokémon Company International has promised to print more products as quickly as possible, but until then, the limited supply and absurd prices have driven collectors to desperation.
Scalpers have taken advantage of the situation, buying up stock and reselling it at exorbitant prices. This has made it difficult for genuine collectors to get their hands on the cards they want.
Although the Pokémon TCG community is no stranger to scalpers, the situation has reached a boiling point since the release of the newly released set.
The hobby, once a source of joy and excitement, has become a stressful and frustrating experience with a constant influx of new sets, and the hype surrounding them has created a toxic environment where collectors are pitted against each other in a desperate bid.
Dire Consequences Of Scalping: Prisoner’s Dilemma
@thegentlemensvault Watch Our Customer's luck with this footage he sent us. Spoiler: wasn't a good day for pokemon🫠🙃 #prismaticevolutions #pokemon #pokemonsg #pokemontcg #pokemoncentresingapore #pokemoncards #fyp ♬ original sound – The Gentlemen’s Vault
The effects of scalping are far-reaching, with collectors feeling discouraged and disillusioned as the constant pressure to keep up with the latest releases has led to a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out), with collectors feeling forced to buy cards at inflated prices.
This has resulted in a market where the prices of cards are artificially inflated, making it difficult for new collectors to enter the hobby.
Furthermore, the community has also become increasingly toxic, with collectors lashing out at each other in frustration. Scalping has also led to instances of Prisoner’s Dilemma, whereby tryhard scalpers and fans refuse to give in, resulting in a loss for all.
Such instances occurred all around the world, with the most recent Pokemon Center Singapore cancelling the physical release of Prismatic Evolutions Products on January 17th.
Hence, the once-friendly and welcoming environment of the Pokémon TCG community has given way to animosity and resentment that some collectors have turned to alternative hobbies, leaving the Pokémon TCG community to suffer.
Alternative Sets You Might Consider Instead Of Prismatic Evolutions
Although the chances of getting your hands on a prismatic product may seem slim at the moment, the release of Prismatic has diverted attention away from other sets.
The overall supply of other popular sets such as Twilight Masquerade, Surging Sparks, and Silver Tempest remains relatively stable as compared to before, and prices of relative chases of each set have also risen.
In the event you cannot purchase any products from the new line (we wish you all the best! ), these sets are certainly great alternatives.
A Call To Action To Pokemon: Can Reprints Save Prismatic Evolutions?
Although batches of reprints are confirmed by The Pokemon Company, many fans are still skeptical about the existing solution; if reprints are still going to be in the hands of scalpers.
As seen from previous releases of popular sets, it’s time for the Pokémon TCG community to take a stand against scalpers.
Fans are uniting to come together to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment where collectors can enjoy the hobby without the pressure of scalpers.
Most importantly, people need to remember that the Pokémon TCG is a hobby meant to be enjoyed, not a means to make a quick buck.
The downfall of Pokémon collecting is the result of the unchecked greed of scalpers and poor value judgments made by The Pokemon Company.
It’s time for the community to take a stand and reclaim the hobby for genuine collectors. Only then can we restore the joy and excitement of collecting Pokémon cards.
Related To Prismatic Evolutions:
Pokemon TCG Reprints Explained: How Reprints Drastically Affects Prices – Guidesify
