The Wild Nim Pokédex Journey Begins
There are more ways to collect Pokémon cards than there are Pokémon to collect.
Some people complete individual sets. Others collect a favourite Pokémon, chase rare cards or concentrate on a particular era of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. I have decided to try something a little different:
I am building a complete Pokédex using Pokémon cards, one Pokémon at a time.
The long-term goal is to represent every Pokémon in National Pokédex order with at least one physical card. The official Pokédex allows Pokémon to be searched and arranged using their National Pokédex numbers, so those numbers will form the backbone of this collection. [pokemon.com]
This is not simply a checklist, however. It is a collecting journey built around random challenges, card upgrades, discoveries and the stories that happen along the way.
The Main Goal
The primary objective is:
Collect at least one physical Pokémon card for every Pokémon in the National Pokédex.
Each Pokémon will have its own position in the collection based on its National Pokédex number.
A Pokémon will count as collected once I own an eligible card featuring that Pokémon as the main subject. The first card does not need to be expensive, rare or visually spectacular. A regular card can secure the Pokémon’s place in the Pokédex and allow the collection to keep moving.
Over time, however, the aim will be to upgrade as many positions as possible with cards that feel special.
The Collection Rules
Rule 1: One Pokédex position for every Pokémon
Each distinct Pokémon receives one main position in National Pokédex order.
Different printings of the same Pokémon do not create additional required Pokédex positions. They may still be collected as variants, upgrades or favourites, but only one eligible card is needed for that Pokémon to count toward basic completion.
Rule 2: The Pokémon must be the main feature of the card
For a card to fill a Pokédex position, the named Pokémon should be the primary Pokémon represented by the card.
Cards where the Pokémon appears only in the background, artwork or cameo will not normally count as the main Pokédex card. Those can still be collected and documented as bonus appearances.
Rule 3: Any official language can count
Eligible cards may come from any officially released Pokémon TCG language.
English cards will generally be the easiest starting point for the main collection, but Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and other official-language cards may be used when they offer:
particularly attractive artwork;
an interesting promotional release;
a unique card treatment;
a meaningful memory from the journey; or
a more affordable way to represent the Pokémon.
The language of a card will not make it less valid for the collection. The Pokémon and the story behind the card matter more than the language printed on it.
Rule 4: A standard card can be used as a placeholder
I do not need to wait for the perfect card before adding a Pokémon to the collection.
If I find an affordable regular card for a missing Pokémon, I can place it in the Pokédex as a starter card or placeholder. This means progress can continue without allowing expensive chase cards to become a barrier.
Placeholder does not mean unimportant. Every card represents a step forward and may carry its own memory from the collecting journey.
Rule 5: Special artwork is the long-term target
Although any eligible card can complete a basic Pokédex position, the eventual goal is to feature visually distinctive cards wherever practical.
Preferred upgrades may include:
illustration rares;
special illustration rares;
alternate-art cards;
full-art cards;
character-focused cards;
art rares;
textured cards;
shiny Pokémon;
unique promotional cards;
vintage cards;
region-exclusive cards; and
other unusual or especially meaningful printings.
Not every Pokémon has received the same range of premium artwork. The final collection will therefore be based on the best suitable card available for each Pokémon, rather than requiring an art rarity that may not exist.
Rule 6: Upgrading does not erase the journey
When a Pokémon receives an upgraded card, the original card does not become worthless.
Earlier cards may be:
moved into a secondary binder;
stored as part of the Pokémon’s card family;
used in a regional or set-based collection;
kept as a record of the original find; or
passed on through a trade where appropriate.
The purpose of upgrading is to develop the collection, not to dismiss the cards that helped build it.
Rule 7: Random selection drives the adventure
Rather than always chasing the most popular Pokémon first, the journey will use a random number generator connected to the National Pokédex.
When a Pokédex number is selected, the corresponding Pokémon becomes the next featured target.
That challenge may involve:
checking whether I already own an eligible card;
researching the cards available for that Pokémon;
identifying an affordable starter option;
choosing a preferred long-term art target;
searching local stores, card shows, markets, online listings or trade opportunities; and
documenting what I eventually find.
Random selection gives every Pokémon a chance to be featured, including Pokémon I might otherwise overlook.
Rule 8: Repeated numbers become upgrade challenges
If the random generator selects a Pokémon that is already represented, the result will not automatically be discarded.
A duplicate selection can become an opportunity to:
upgrade the existing card;
find a different-language printing;
locate a promotional version;
collect another form;
add a vintage or unusual printing;
improve the card’s condition; or
learn more about that Pokémon’s TCG history.
If no sensible upgrade exists within the current budget, I can record the repeat and generate another number.
Rule 9: The budget comes before the chase
This is intended to be a sustainable, long-term collection.
No individual card is essential enough to justify overspending. Expensive cards may remain on the target list until a suitable opportunity appears. In the meantime, a regular card can occupy the Pokédex position.
The collection will prioritise:
affordable progress;
patience;
careful comparison of prices;
sensible postage costs;
trading where possible;
card condition appropriate to the collection; and
enjoyment over market value.
Completing the Pokédex slowly is part of the experience.
Rule 10: Pulls, purchases and trades are all valid
A card can enter the collection through:
opening a booster pack;
buying a single;
purchasing a collection or binder;
trading with another collector;
visiting a card store or convention;
receiving a card as a gift; or
finding it during one of the channel’s adventures.
How the card was obtained will be recorded because the story can be just as interesting as the card itself.
Rule 11: Condition should be presentable, not necessarily perfect
Cards do not need to be professionally graded or flawless to count.
The preferred standard is a card that looks good in a binder and is free from severe damage. Slight wear may be accepted for older, difficult-to-find or personally meaningful cards.
A lower-condition card can also be used temporarily and upgraded later.
Rule 12: Forms and regional variations are bonus objectives
The main Pokédex will initially require one card for each distinct National Pokédex species.
Additional forms may be collected as extended goals, including:
regional forms;
alternate forms;
gender differences represented on cards;
Mega Evolutions;
Gigantamax forms;
Terastal or other special treatments;
shiny versions; and
other recognised transformations or appearances.
These additions will enrich the collection, but they will not prevent the base Pokédex from being considered complete unless I formally expand the rules later.
Rule 13: Evolution families can receive special layouts
Where binder space allows, evolution lines may be presented together to make the collection more visually coherent.
This could include:
the base Pokémon and its evolutions;
branching evolution families;
regional evolutions;
baby Pokémon;
related forms; and
particularly important promotional or artwork variants.
National Pokédex order will remain the primary structure, but thoughtful layouts may be used to showcase important families.
Rule 14: Authentic cards only
Only genuine, officially produced Pokémon cards will count toward completion.
Custom cards, proxy cards and fan-made artwork may be enjoyed separately, but they will not fill an official Pokédex position.
If a card’s authenticity is uncertain, it will remain outside the main collection until it can be checked properly.
Rule 15: The tracker is the official record
Every Pokémon will be documented in a collection tracker.
The tracker may record:
National Pokédex number;
Pokémon name;
generation or region;
current completion status;
card set and card number;
card language;
rarity or art tier;
condition;
date acquired;
acquisition method;
amount paid;
preferred upgrade card;
estimated upgrade priority; and
notes about the card or adventure.
The tracker will distinguish between simply owning a card and reaching the preferred art target.
What Counts as “Complete”?
There will be several levels of completion.
Basic Pokédex completion
Every Pokémon has at least one eligible physical Pokémon card.
Art-target completion
Every Pokémon has reached the best realistic artwork tier available for that species within the collection’s goals and budget.
Expanded completion
Selected Pokémon also have additional forms, language variants, promotional cards or special printings.
This tiered system means the Pokédex can eventually be completed while the broader collecting journey continues.
The Spirit of the Challenge
These rules are here to give the project structure, not to remove the fun.
The Pokédex Journey is about discovering unfamiliar cards, visiting new places, meeting other collectors and giving every Pokémon its moment. Some targets might be completed with a card from a bulk box. Others could lead to months of searching for a particular illustration.
A common card with a great story may ultimately mean more than an expensive card ordered in a few seconds.
The collection is allowed to change as new Pokémon, new card sets and new collecting opportunities appear. If a rule changes, I will explain the change and record why it was made rather than quietly rewriting the challenge.
What to Expect from the Journey
Future posts and videos may include:
random Pokédex number draws;
featured Pokémon card searches;
binder updates;
starter-card versus dream-card comparisons;
card-shop and convention visits;
pack openings;
trades;
budget challenges;
collection statistics;
artwork upgrades; and
discoveries from different Pokémon TCG languages.
There will be quick wins, difficult hunts and probably a few plans that change completely once I see a card in person.
The First Step
Every Pokédex begins with an empty space and a first entry.
The tracker is ready. The binder plan is taking shape. The random selector is waiting.
Now it is time to generate the first number and discover which Pokémon will officially begin the Wild Nim Pokédex Journey.
One number. One Pokémon. One card at a time.
