Legendary Collection Series

You might’ve overlooked the Legendary Collection Series set, but hold your Pokéballs! Unreleased in Japan, it’s a nostalgic reprint aimed at reviving tournament decks with beloved cards that once were out of rotation.

Picture this: a blend of iconic Generation 1 expansions, including gems from the base set, jungle, fossil, and team rocket collections. This set brings together the classics that kickstarted our Pokémon journey.

There’s more! Say hello to the debut of reverse holos—every card shimmers with a firework holofoil pattern! Plus, jumbo-sized cards were introduced, larger-than-life versions of 4 of the favourite Pokémon at the time, Charizard, Dark Blastoise, Dark Richu and Mewtwo. These could only be obtained by buying full booster boxes.

With a mediocre 110 cards to collect, it wasn’t as big as any of the base set expansions. Theme decks packed a punch, featuring exclusive cards and are collectable to this day. The “Turmoil” deck (Electric/Water) boasts the formidable Dark Blastoise and the mighty Dark Richu, while the “Lava” deck (Fighting/Fire) sizzled with the fiery Charizard card. These exclusive cards were non-holo which makes them even more valuable and collectable.

No game-changing format shifts here, as these cards tread familiar grounds. Yet, with classics like Hitmonchan, Electabuzz, and Scyther not included, the meta takes an intriguing turn to not include the resurgence of the Haymaker decks from base set. Not to mention, the absence of energy removals—a strategic move that keeps the metas balance intact. A decision fans were pleased with at the time!

This set isn’t just a blast from the past—it’s a resurgence of collectors passion for the new reverse holos and jumbo cards, and a method to reignite the competitive game! With the inclusion of popular cards that were out of rotation but none of the meta defining ones to maintain the balance and variation in the game.

Best Legendary Collection Series Pokemon Cards

In our ongoing exploration of the Pokémon TCG history, this set doesn’t introduce anything new. Rather, it’s a nostalgic reunion with some fan-favourite trainer cards making a triumphant return to the format.

Here’s a quick refresher on what made these cards so useful:

• Pokemon Trader: Swap a basic or evolution Pokémon in your deck for another. Simple yet strategic.
• Pokemon Breeder: Think of it as the “Rare Candy” of its time, allowing you to evolve a basic Pokémon straight into its Stage 2 form.
• Potion: Letting you remove up to 2 damage counters from a Pokémon in need.
• Scoop Up: Offering a tactical retreat, it allows you to return a basic Pokémon in play to your hand, albeit at the cost of discarding all attached cards.
• Bill: A classic draw engine, granting you the power to replenish your hand with 2 fresh cards.

Best Legendary Collection Series Decks

There is only 1 deck to really talk about as the Legendary Collection Series didn’t introduce anything groundbreaking. It is similar to the Steelix/Noctowl deck we saw in the Neo Series:

Steelix & Muk

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Steelix, a behemoth from Neo Genesis, stood as a titan in the Pokémon TCG landscape. With its colossal HP, it shrugged off attacks with ease. Fuelled by Special Metal Energy, it became a formidable fortress, reducing damage and standing strong against opponents. Paired with Gold Berry for a touch of recovery and Ecogym to ensure a steady energy flow, Steelix commanded attention.

But every titan has its Achilles’ heel, and Steelix was no exception. Enter Misty’s Dewgong, a strategic addition to the lineup, aimed at neutralising Steelix’s fire weakness. With Dewgong’s water prowess, it became a natural choice to complement Steelix’s resilience. And if Dewgong joined the fray, why not incorporate Water Energy, capitalising on its strengths while supporting Steelix’s versatile energy requirements?

And let’s not forget Muk, the disruptor in the ranks. With its ability to halt Pokémon abilities in their tracks, Muk served as a crucial countermeasure against opponents’ strategies, ensuring Steelix could reign supreme on the battlefield, undisturbed by unwanted effects.

Key Takeaways to Improve Deck Building

Here are the key takeaways to improve your own strategy and deck-building ability:

1. Shield your hero Pokémon’s weaknesses with a robust support Pokémon.
2. Lean into your hero Pokémon’s strengths. In the case of Steelix, leverage its towering HP, defensive typing, and unique energy needs. Seek out cards that amplify these strengths, enhancing its resilience on the battlefield.
3. Disrupt your opponent’s plans by thwarting their card and Pokémon abilities. Preventing them from executing crucial strategies can tilt the balance of the match in your favour.
4. Ensure your deck incorporates staple trainer cards from the current meta. These versatile tools provide essential support for any deck, bolstering your strategy and increasing your chances of victory.

Learn more strategies, decks, and the best Pokemon cards the TCG history has here.

Are there any cards or decks we missed from the Legendary Collection Series? Let us know in the comments!

Team Maniax, shuffling out – see you next time!