Most collectors are filled with regret, constantly wishing they had bought a certain product years ago. If only you had secured that One Piece OP05 Awakening of the New Era at $200 two years ago, which is currently commanding $1000+ . If only you held onto that Evolving Skies on its fourth reprint when it was under $200. "If only" is the anthem of the TCG investor. Hindsight really is 20/20, and anyone would have made those moves if they knew what would happen years later. The ultimate key to success isn't dwelling on the past, but rather understanding long-term potential to spot the next massive wave before it breaks.
The other key factor in making the best decisions is evaluating actual set potential. Sure, you can grab boxes like Pitch Black or Perfect Order for under $200. That might feel like a steal compared to the $500+ Destined Rivals or $400+ Phantasmal Flames , but the core set potential simply isn't there. This is exactly why we don't invest in or collect every single set, regardless of the TCG. You want your long-term portfolio to be filled with the best of the best , not just random filler. With the sheer variety of successful TCGs available today, that variety becomes a positive instead of a negative—so be aggressively picky.
When looking at price points, we acknowledge there are phenomenal sets out there. We’ve already highlighted sets like OP13, which boasts enormous set value. Even though we still believe $450 is a decent buy, that’s still 3x MSRP for the tentative TCG investor. There are phenomenal premium options on the horizon too: Pokémon Ascended Heroes , the upcoming Pokémon 30th sets, One Piece OP17 , Riftbound Origins , and Gundam's foundational GD01 Newtype Rising . These are all great sets, but the future value has mostly been priced in. Furthermore, they are all still operating within active reprint windows, which makes for a significantly riskier entry. So, how do you find a top-tier set with a lower entry price?
Now that we've established the key ingredients of what we look for in the current market, let's break down why GD05 Freedom Ascension checks off every single mark. The Gundam Card Game has been on an absolute tear. While most booster boxes sit comfortably under $150—with the exception of GD01 soaring over $400 due to that 1st set premium tax —the momentum is rapidly picking up steam. GD05 is currently hovering around $220 to $250 a box . That might seem high for Gundam initially, but this isn't your typical set; it boasts an expected value even higher than the first release. Though One Piece and Gundam are very different TCGs, they both execute on the highly successful Bandai blueprint. Remember that deep regret of not buying OP05 when you could have? Keep that exact feeling at the forefront when analyzing this set.
The top five chase cards alone are anchoring the set's value exactly where it needs to be, making the rip risk actually worth it for collectors. Looking at the hyper-rare LR++ versions , Wing Gundam Zero leads the charge with an astonishing $4000+ value . Following closely are Strike Freedom Gundam at $2000, Nu Gundam easily clearing $1500, and both Sazabi and Master Gundam commanding over $1200. That is just the top five! Beyond those monumental hits, there are sixteen SP rares sitting comfortably in the $100 to $800 range, along with incredibly strong LR+ chases. This isn't just a top-heavy set; it has massive depth.
This unbelievable hit rate not only blows any other Gundam TCG sets completely out of the water, but it confidently competes head-to-head with One Piece and top-tier modern Pokémon set values—and it achieves this with a much lower print run . Because GD05 is an anniversary set, it is fully expected to be short-printed with far fewer reprints than a standard core set. Additionally, the broader Gundam TCG market is thriving, spelling excellent news for the long-term potential here. Bandai has masterfully created a staple set designed to withstand the test of time and hold its immense value. The best part? It’s still floating around that $250 mark. Yes, that seems high for a newly released Gundam box, but this earns the rare exception. Furthermore, first waves are widely known to yield the best pulls , and waiting for a potential price drop on a reprint wave that might not even lower the market cost is a gamble you may not want to take.
So, instead of throwing your capital at a highly speculative Palworld booster box, or settling for a lackluster Pokémon set like Pitch Black, make the strategic choice. It's time to get in on the ground floor of the Gundam Card Game's absolute strongest set to date. Don't let this be another entry in your logbook of "if only" regrets. For more expert TCG investment-related content, market trends, and portfolio suggestions, make sure to join tcjournal.io for free.