To help you jump into playing Pokmon and understanding the different formats, Ive outlined everything you need to know about the Pokmon TCG rotation below including what regulation marks are, why regulation marks exist, and the key differences between the Standard and Expanded formats, too
The reason is structural rather than emotional: promos are distributed in fixed, predictable quantities through specific channels, which creates both uniform distribution and a powerful perception of special-ness that incentivizes grading
Packs in particular are mainly obtained through the Shop from the Main Menu, through which you can purchase Normal , Secret , or Bonus versions
The prices may not be as good as what youd get on the marketplace, but you can send them all at once directly to TCGplayer rather than waiting for a third party to purchase them
Any abilities that trigger when a creature with a certain power enters the battlefield, such as that of Mentor of the Meek, will see the token enter as a 0/0 creature before it gets +1/+1 counters