The texture for Illustration Rares and Special Illustration Rares was better in Japan, and while that has since changed for the better in English sets, going back to older sets means you'll have even better-looking cards when you buy Japanese boxes
Combusken - 016/100 #16Rare $1.20 Charmander #48Common $5.92 Gulpin #33Uncommon $0.88 Skitty #41Uncommon $1.47 Igglybuff #21Rare $6.33 Jigglypuff #53Common $1.71 Banette #1Holo Rare $13.07 Wigglytuff #13Holo Rare $21.31 Mudkip - 057/100 #57Common $2.65 Blastoise #14Rare $16.78
For raw copies, ask for photos under angled light to catch surface scratches and edge wear
Sword of Forge and FrontierSword of Forge and Frontier, Sword of Light and ShadowSword of Light and Shadow and Zephyr BootsZephyr Boots can help while holding the added benefit of triggering off both of Cyans strikes
I played it for a long stretch, first as a two-of, then one, and then zero
For tournament play at lower cost, the English set works fine