The Best Pokémon Theme Decks to Buy for Vintage Cards

Legendary Collection is a fitting name for this dazzling set. Only released in the US, it contains artwork from Base Set, Jungle Fossil and Team Rocket. But the best part, every card has a reverse holographic version with the shimmering firework design as seen below.

With regard to the theme decks, I feel it’s worth mentioning both Lava and Turmoil. 

Each 61 card deck contains 1 random reverse holographic, meaning you could pull the Charizard! A £20k+ card in a PSA 10 (at the time of writing). Of course you could also pull a reverse Bill, so it’s swings and roundabouts!

However aside from the random reverse, both decks have a stellar lineup.

I personally feel Lava edges it as it contains the incredibly rare non-holographic Charizard. That’s right, the original artwork from Base Set, but in non-holo form. Very cool!

Turmoil is also a bit of a beast though, with 3 rare cards; Dark Blastoise, Dark Raichu and Magneton. It’s also got epic uncommon and commons such as (x2) Dark Dragonair, (x3) Dark Wortortle, (x3) Pikachu and (x4) Squirtle! 

This has to be one of the best Pokemon theme decks in existence for diversity of cards.

Taking it back to the very beginning, the 2 Player Starter Deck from Base Set is probably the most widely recognised theme deck you’ll come across.

Containing the iconic 1st Edition Machamp Holographic card, 2 Charmeleon’s, 4 Charmander’s and a host of other base set cards, there’s tons of value to be had in this 61 card deck. 

Interestingly, if you know what you’re looking for, you can also find Shadowless versions of this theme deck. I’ve only ever found one of these, but naturally, it’s considerably more valuable. If you’re unsure of the difference between Shadowless and the more common unlimited cards, see here.

Whether you keep it sealed, or crack the seal, this is a staple piece for any collection. 

Now let’s take things off the beaten track a little bit…

Gym Challenge is a hugely popular WOTC era set from the year 2000, containing Pokemon that belonged to legendary trainers Sabrina, Koga, Giovanni and Blaine; and it’s Blaine’s theme deck that’s worth paying particular attention to.

Containing an all-star lineup of fire Pokemon such as (x3) Blaine’s Charmander, (x2) Blaine’s Charmeleon, (x4) Blaine’s Growlithe (2 different artworks) and the stunning Blaine’s Arcanine Holographic, this incredible theme deck is highly valuable, but not that easy to find.

Staying with Base Set, I’m a huge fan of the ZAP! Theme Deck. Combining both Electric and Psychic Pokemon, there are some great cards inside. 

Holographic Base Set Mewtwo is the showpiece, but it also contains 4 Pikachu’s, 3 Abra’s, 2 Haunter’s and a Kadabra. And again, there are Shadowless versions.

Considering the price of these sealed decks, and the potential sale price of the individual cards when graded, this deck is one of the best Pokemon investment pieces on my list, and one I buy again and again. 

Continuing on to something a bit more rare, and we jump the second generation of Pokemon presented beautifully in the iconic Neo Destiny set. 

There are only two theme decks in Neo Destiny, ‘Light’ and ‘Dark’, but with the later containing a holographic Dark Typhlosion, Dark Haunter, 3 Dark Quilava’s and 4 Cyndaquil (2 artworks) it’s an absolute beast of a deck!

Again, these aren’t that easy to find and require deeper pockets than the theme decks listed above. But I firmly believe the price is a reflection of the value you get inside.