Beginner’s Guide to Digimon Cards

Collecting Digimon cards is a lot of fun, but the game is often overshadowed by Pokémon or Magic: The Gathering. However, Digimon cards are their own little unique world, with a lot to offer. If you’re just dipping your toes into Digimon cards, then you’re in the right place. In this post, I’ll answer all of your questions, and offer some advice and insight on getting started. 

Getting Started With Digital Monsters

This article is about the cards, specifically the 2020 Digimon Card Game, so we’re not going to dive too deep into the details of Digimon, but it’s important to recognize the origin of the game. 

The name ‘Digimon’ is actually a portmanteau for ‘Digital Monsters’. This is because the cards feature characters from the Digimon anime, who are mostly cute little monsters from a digital world. 

The first Digimon anime was named Digimon Adventure and released in 1999. In 2020, Bandai rebooted the anime as Digimon Adventure (2020), and along with it, created the new Digimon Card Game. 

You may choose to only collect Digimon cards, or play the game as well. The game is not unlike other TCGs, where a deck is built and used to battle your opponent. Another similarity to other TCGs is that Digimon cards come in booster packs, booster boxes, starter decks, and collection boxes, and have great chase cards such as alt arts and secret rares.

How Digimon Sets Work

A new set is released every 1-2 months. Sets are assigned an abbreviated code name as well as a theatrical name. For example, the 2022 set [BT-08] New Awakening. The BT stands for ‘Booster Set’.

Set Names

Each set has an abbreviated name followed by a number.

• BT- Booster Set
• ST- Starter Deck
• EX- Extra Set
• PB- Promotional Box

You’ll see BT releases the most often, as they are the main line of expansion sets, with EX sets thrown in every few months. 

Set Contents

Each set will contain a selection of different rarities. The reverse side of the booster pack will always have the breakdown of card rarities. For example, BT-08 has 112 different cards including, 44 common, 30 uncommon, 26 rare, 10 super rare, and 2 secret rare. 

There are 4 different types of Digimon cards: Digimon, Tamers, Option, and Digi-Egg.

Some cards have “Alt Art” versions as well, and they are not included in the 112 card count for the set. These are cards that have the same name and stats as another card but instead feature an alternative artwork. These cards are often rare and sought after by collectors. 

Some rares have alt arts, but all super rares will and so will secret rares. In addition to this, secret rares feature textured artwork. 

Products

Each set will have many products to go with it. One of the easiest to find on store shelves is the starter decks. This is a pre-built 50-card deck that is ready to play straight out of the box, providing that you have an opponent with a deck also. 

Starter decks will have a set name, as they will be constructed of cards from that set. For example, ST-07 or ST-08.

Booster packs are available for almost every set. They contain 12 cards each and retail for $3.99 USD. Each booster pack will have 2 holofoil cards guaranteed rare or above. 

Booster boxes are a way of purchasing multiple booster packs at a discount. One booster box will contain 24 booster packs and include a box topper. 

A box topper is a special promotional card only available through purchasing booster boxes. 

Gift boxes are products that contain multiple booster packs, a promo card, and sometimes a few extra things for playing the card game. If you’re familiar with Pokémon, these are essentially V boxes. 

Digi-Egg Cards

Why do some Digimon cards have white backs?

You may have noticed that some Digimon cards have a different back to them. 

These are Digi-Egg cards, and they’re different because they play a vital role in the card game. The player has the option to build an egg deck, separate from their 50-card deck. This egg deck is utilized during the breeding phase of the player’s turn. 

Digi-Eggs are not exceptionally rare or valuable but are fun to collect and could be used to trade with someone who uses egg decks.

How to Play the Digimon Card Game

It would be asinine to try and explain the rules in a blog post. Instead, we can point you in the right direction.

You can visit the official website to read the rules or download a copy, among other great resources.

In addition to this, there are many Youtube videos that explain the rules of the game very simply. 

Digimon Card Price, Value, and Worth

With the recent excitement around Pokémon and sports cards, people are wondering if Digimon cards are valuable too.

Most Digimon cards are worth less than $1 with few cards in the $100-$350 price range. Most foil cards are in the $3-$15 range.

Since there have been multiple Digimon card games since 1999, this question can get complicated.

You’ll want to make sure that you have the correct sleeves to protect your new shiny Digimon cards.

Vintage Digimon cards can actually have some real value, especially if they are graded. However, no Digimon cards reach the value of vintage Pokémon cards. While Pokémon cards can go for six figures, Digimon very rarely hit four figures. 

Final Thoughts

The new Digimon Card Game has only been out for the last 2 years. This means that it’s time to get in on the ground floor and check them out. Since they aren’t as popular as Pokémon, MTG, or Yu-Gi-Oh!, they are harder to find, but there is usually stock on the shelves.

The card game is fun and there is even an online game coming soon, so you can learn to play even if you don’t have any friends or family who play.