A Look at Pokemon Stage 2 Premium Checklane Blisters

The Pokémon Company is trying something different with the release of Rebel Clash. In addition to established two-card evolution blister packs, Rebel Clash marks the return of three-card premium checklane blisters. Buyers of this product will be able to add a complete Basic, Stage 1, and Stage 2 evolution line to their Pokémon trading card collection or their competitive decks.

Stage 1 blisters have been exclusive to Target stores since the release of the Team Up expansion last year. It appears that the Stage 2 blisters will only be sold at Wal-Mart, which is where I found the Galarian Obstagoon blisters featured in the photo at the top of this post. Also available is a blister featuring a complete line of Gastly, Haunter, and Gengar. Both the Obstagoon and Gengar lines first appeared in February's Sword & Shield base set, with Obstagoon and Gengar themselves being printed as rare holographic cards.

In addition to the Galarian Zigzagoon, Linoone, and Obstagoon cards, the blister includes a booster pack from the latest Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion, a code card to unlock the rare holo Stage 2 card in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online, and a coin to be used while playing the game.

In a surprise change from premium checklane blisters released during the Sun & Moon era, the highest stage evolution cards retain their in-set holofoil treatment, making them no different from versions found in booster packs.

Running the numbers for the value you get from a Stage 2 premium checklane blister gives an iffy picture at best. These things sell for $6.99 apiece. A Stage 1 premium blister costing $4.99 contains everything else in the Stage 2 blister minus the middle stage evolution card. Two extra dollars for one uncommon card? I think not.

Value-wise, the Stage 1 premium checklane blisters are a much better deal, selling for the same price as a standard single card blister. Blister packs in general serve mainly as a way for young collectors to easily obtain holographic cards of popular Pokémon to add to their collection. That being said, Galarian Obstagoon is seeing some dominance in competitive play right now; but you can most likely purchase enough Zigzagoon, Linoone, and Obstagoon cards secondhand to make a full playset for the price of one of these blisters.

These new Stage 2 premium checklane blisters don't make a whole lot of sense for competitive players. But if you're just a casual collector looking to add a full line of Pokémon to your binder, they may be worth a look.