Why Surging Sparks Is A Sensational Investment!

Summary

In this video, Philip, a Pokémon YouTuber, shares excitement over reaching 15,000 subscribers and offers a special Alakazam card giveaway. He reviews the latest Pokémon card set, 'Surging Sparks,' praising its unique appeal, especially its standout designs like Pikachu and Magneton. He highlights key artwork choices and discusses the set’s collectible and investment potential, particularly rare cards like the Latias and Lados. Philip also touches on the challenge of collecting multiple sets on a budget and offers advice for building a great collection affordably.

Takeaways

• 📈 Surging Sparks from Generation 9 is being positioned as an iconic Pokémon set, competing with major sets from the Sword and Shield era like Fusion Strike, Evolving Skies, and Lost Origin.
• 🎉 The speaker expresses gratitude for surpassing 15,000 subscribers and announces a special giveaway of a rare Alakazam card from Pokémon 151, with winners identified using a Sylveon emoji.
• 📦 The Surging Sparks booster box, featuring Pikachu as the mascot, is expected to be highly desired, especially during the Christmas period due to its appeal to kids and recognition by parents.
• 🟡 The Elite Trainer Box (ETB) for Surging Sparks has a prominent design with vibrant purple and yellow colors, including a standout promo card featuring a Magneton artwork by Shinji Kanda.
• 🌟 The Pokémon Center stamped version of the ETB is recommended for collectors and investors due to its exclusivity and potential long-term value.
• 🍎 Illustration rares in the set include interesting but sometimes questionable choices like Flapple and Appleton, which feel somewhat forced upon the community.
• 🎨 Several illustration rares like Castform and Brava are praised for their creative designs, with Castform being underutilized in previous TCG releases.
• 💎 The special illustration rares in Surging Sparks are a highlight, with cards like the Lada special illustration rare and Alolan Exeggutor Terra type being expected to be highly sought-after and valuable.
• 🧊 The Archelon special illustration rare, though a cool design from Generation 9, is expected to be more affordable compared to others due to less fan demand.
• 📊 The speaker notes the challenge for collectors in keeping up with the constant release of new Pokémon sets, including the Greninja premium collection, Charizard collection, and Eevee and Team Rocket sets, and offers advice for collecting on a budget.

Q & A

What is the significance of the 'Surging Sparks' set in the Pokémon TCG?

'Surging Sparks' is considered a major step up from previous sets in the Scarlet and Violet era. It is viewed as a competitor with iconic sets like Fusion Strike, Evolving Skies, and Lost Origin, marking a significant moment for Generation 9 in the Pokémon TCG.

Why does the booster box for 'Surging Sparks' feature Pikachu prominently?

Pikachu is a well-recognized mascot for Pokémon, especially popular among children and parents. By placing Pikachu on the booster box, Pokémon aims to attract buyers during key seasons like Christmas, ensuring broad market appeal.

Why is the Pokémon Center stamped version of the Magneton promo card highly recommended for collectors?

The Pokémon Center stamped version is seen as the modern equivalent of the first edition stamp, adding an extra layer of exclusivity and longevity to the card. Collectors value these stamps for their rarity and uniqueness.

Why is the inclusion of the Flapple and Appleton illustration rares seen as controversial?

Many in the community feel that Pokémon is pushing Flapple and Appleton in a way that doesn’t feel organic, as they are not widely beloved Pokémon. Collectors expected more popular choices like Salamence or Dragapult, making the selection seem forced.

What makes the Castform illustration rare stand out?

Castform is an underutilized Pokémon in the TCG, so its appearance as an illustration rare is both refreshing and exciting for collectors. The artwork is praised for its composition, though it’s not expected to be a highly valuable card.

What are some standout illustration rares from the 'Surging Sparks' set?

Some standout illustration rares include Braviary and Skarmory. Braviary’s competitive significance and artwork make it a noteworthy card, while Skarmory’s metallic look and Generation 2 nostalgia contribute to its popularity.

Why are Latios and Latias separated into different illustration rare categories?

Latios and Latias are given individual illustration and special illustration rares, which is unusual as they are typically paired. This design decision has created a lot of fan demand for both cards and adds an interesting dynamic to the set.

Which card is expected to be the most expensive chase card from 'Surging Sparks'?

The Latias special illustration rare is expected to be the top chase card from 'Surging Sparks,' drawing comparisons to the legendary bird team-up card, which became one of the most expensive Pokémon cards.

How does the Alolan Exeggutor special Terastal form card compare to others in the set?

The Alolan Exeggutor special Terastal form card is highly praised for its design, particularly the way the rainbow border complements the Terastal form. It’s expected to be one of the top three chase cards in the set.

What challenges do collectors face with so many new Pokémon TCG sets being released?

With multiple sets like 'Surging Sparks,' 'Stellar Crown,' and upcoming collections like the Greninja and Charizard sets, collectors may struggle to keep up on a budget. Managing finances while building a collection is a key concern, and there are strategies to collect on a budget without compromising on quality.