🎁 Christmas gift guide · Tracked 48: order by Fri 18 Dec · Tracked 24: order by Mon 21 Dec
Parabox Games Ltd
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Learn a new game this Christmas

The best trading card game starter sets for beginners. Each one is a ready-made deck they can play as soon as the wrapping comes off, with the rules in the box. Here's which game suits who, what to buy first, and what to buy next.

See the startersQuestions
Last order dates for Christmas

Tracked 48: order by Friday 18 December. Tracked 24: order by Monday 21 December. Orders before 3pm on weekdays leave the same day.

Which game suits them?

Every starter here is a complete, ready-to-play deck in English. Age guidance is printed on each box.

GameBest forTwo players from one box?First buy
PokémonKids and families, and anyone who grew up with the gamesNo, each deck is for one player30th Celebration Battle Deck
Magic: The GatheringTeens and adults who like strategyYes, Aang against ZukoAvatar: The Last Airbender Beginner Box
Disney LorcanaDisney fans; it has the simplest rules hereNo, buy two starter decks or the Gateway boxAzurite Sea Starter Deck
One PieceAnime fansYes, with a two-player playmatSet Sail Deck Set SD-01
GundamMecha and model-kit fansNo, each deck is for one playerStarter Deck: Flash of Radiance
Star Wars: UnlimitedStar Wars fans who like quick gamesNo, buy two Spotlight DecksSpotlight Deck: Darth Maul

Pokémon

1 player per deck
Start with Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG): 30th Celebration Battle Deck Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG): 30th Celebration Battle Deck £29.95
Next step Pokémon TCG: Mega Lucario ex League Battle Deck Pokémon TCG: Mega Lucario ex League Battle Deck £29.95

An all-foil 60-card deck led by Espeon ex or Umbreon ex (chosen at random), with a playmat, damage counters, a coin and a deck box. The League Battle Deck is the stronger next step once they know the rules.

Magic: The Gathering

2 players
Start with Magic: The Gathering: Avatar: The Last Airbender Beginner Box Magic: The Gathering: Avatar: The Last Airbender Beginner Box £34.95
Next step Magic: The Gathering: Lorwyn Eclipsed 60-Card Angels Theme Deck Magic: The Gathering: Lorwyn Eclipsed 60-Card Angels Theme Deck £23.95

A guided first game of Aang against Zuko that teaches the rules as you play. A 60-card theme deck is the next step, ready for Standard play at a local store.

Disney Lorcana

1 player per deck
Start with Disney Lorcana TCG Azurite Sea Starter Deck (Amber & Ruby) Disney Lorcana TCG Azurite Sea Starter Deck (Amber & Ruby) £14.95
Next step Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game - Gateway - Set 5-8 Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game - Gateway - Set 5-8 £22.99

A 60-card deck with two foils, a paper playmat, damage counters and a booster pack. Buy two starters for a two-player game, or the Gateway box, which is built to teach the game.

One Piece

2 players
Start with One Piece Card Game: Set Sail Deck Set (SD-01) One Piece Card Game: Set Sail Deck Set (SD-01) £29.95
Next step One Piece Card Game: Double Pack Set - The Time of Battle One Piece Card Game: Double Pack Set - The Time of Battle £24.95

Luffy and Ace, a two-player playmat and two deck cases. A Double Pack Set adds two booster packs to start building their own deck.

Gundam

1 player per deck
Start with Gundam Card Game: Starter Deck - Flash of Radiance Gundam Card Game: Starter Deck - Flash of Radiance £15.95
Next step Gundam Card Game: Deck Build Box - Freedom Ascension Gundam Card Game: Deck Build Box - Freedom Ascension £39.95

A ready-to-play 50-card deck with resource cards, tokens and a bonus pack. The Deck Build Box adds 125 cards across five colours and four booster packs.

Star Wars: Unlimited

1 player per deck
Start with Star Wars: Unlimited Spotlight Deck - Darth Maul - Legends of the Force Display Star Wars: Unlimited Spotlight Deck - Darth Maul - Legends of the Force Display £18.95
Next step Star Wars: Unlimited Spotlight Deck - QuiGonJinn - Legends of the Force Display Star Wars: Unlimited Spotlight Deck - QuiGonJinn - Legends of the Force Display £18.95

A ready-to-play 50-card deck with a booster pack. Add the Qui-Gon Jinn deck and two people can duel straight away.

Questions

What's the easiest trading card game to learn?

Disney Lorcana has the simplest rules of the games we sell, and its Gateway box is built to teach. Pokémon is a close second and has the most players.

Which starter sets let two people play from one box?

The Magic: The Gathering Avatar Beginner Box and the One Piece Set Sail Deck Set SD-01. For Pokémon, Lorcana, Gundam and Star Wars: Unlimited, buy two starter decks.

What's the best Pokémon starter deck?

The 30th Celebration Battle Deck: a complete 60-card deck with a playmat, counters, a coin and a deck box. It is Espeon ex or Umbreon ex, chosen at random.

What should they buy after the starter?

Each game on this page has a next step: a stronger deck, or a few booster packs so they can start building a deck of their own.

Parabox Games Ltd, Ground Floor, 3 Millers Yard, Market Harborough, LE16 7PW

Company Number: 14715886 - VAT: GB472346780