From Board Games to Trading Card Games: A Shift in My Hobby Life
For years, I was a diehard board gamer. I loved the feeling of opening a new box, learning the rules, and spending hours exploring its mechanics. But as much as I adore board games, there’s no denying how expensive the hobby can be. A single core game can easily cost over a hundred dollars, and expansions pile on even more. It adds up quickly—especially when you’re chasing that next big box hit. Over time, I started asking myself: was there another way to scratch the same itch without constantly investing in shelf space and expansions?
Ironically, the answer came from a place I used to avoid: trading card games (TCGs). TCGs always carried the reputation of being even more expensive than board games. After all, packs are random, new sets release constantly, and competitive decks can cost a small fortune. Yet, when I finally gave in and tried them, I found something I didn’t expect: a different kind of joy. There’s something undeniably special about cracking open a pack, shuffling through fresh cards, and imagining all the ways they might fit into a deck.
What drew me in was the creativity. Unlike a board game, where the components are static, TCGs invite you to experiment endlessly. Every card has potential, every deck is a puzzle, and every opponent forces you to think differently. That blend of strategy, surprise, and creativity has been more entertaining than I anticipated. It feels alive in a way that even the best board games sometimes don’t.
Now, I should be clear: I haven’t abandoned board games entirely. They still hold a place in my heart, and I’ll continue to enjoy them. But lately, cards have taken over. Specifically, I’ve fallen hard for Fantasy Flight Games’ living card games (LCGs). Games like Marvel Champions and Lord of the Rings: The Card Game hit that sweet spot of deckbuilding without the blind-buy randomness of booster packs. Over time, though, I’ve also been drawn to the open-ended world of true TCGs.
Magic: The Gathering was my first big leap. It’s far from perfect—power creep, complicated rules, and pricey formats are constant challenges—but the fact that it has lasted for three decades says a lot. There’s a reason it remains the foundation of the hobby. Magic taught me just how deep a card game can be, and why so many people never put it down. It’s a mix of nostalgia, strategy, and pure gameplay refinement.
From there, Star Wars Unlimited quickly became a favorite. The mechanics are streamlined, the theme speaks to me, and the community around it has been fun to engage with. It feels like a TCG built for the modern era, striking a nice balance between accessibility and depth. On the other hand, I’ve enjoyed dabbling in One Piece as well, though my wife—who’s usually my go-to gaming partner—hasn’t connected with it in the same way. And then there’s Lorcana, Disney’s entry into the space. It’s charming and well-produced, but the meta has been a little less exciting for me compared to other games.
The cost factor still lingers, of course. If you go all-in on packs, any TCG can drain your wallet faster than you’d like. But I’ve found a practical balance: if you want to play casually or even semi-competitively, you don’t have to buy packs endlessly. Singles exist for a reason, and being selective about what you buy saves a lot of money. Compared to dropping $150 on a single board game that might not hit the table often, spending a fraction of that on the exact cards you need feels like a smarter investment.
In the end, I think both hobbies will always have a place in my life. Board games are still amazing for group experiences and big event nights. But TCGs have carved out something unique: a flexible, creative, and endlessly replayable outlet that I didn’t know I was missing. It may have started as curiosity, but at this point, I can honestly say TCGs have taken over my gaming world—and I’m okay with that.
