What is considerd a complete set?

[Thesantaclaws2k3]

Do you need to have all the regular cards in the brand, and all of the inserts, or just allthe regualr cards?

[Knight302]

Some people consider a complete set all the base cards in a set.For example,Topps puts out a brand of cards that has 630 cards in the base set.To complete the set,you gather all 630 cards and sort them by numerical order and bip bam boom...a complte set.

The other part of your question would pertain to master set completion.

A master set would include the base set,all inserts and any parallels in the set.A very tough task but fun to do,sometimes expensive but fun nonetheless.

On the issue of master set building,some people consider a master set to be the base set and inserts and do not consider parallels as part of that master set.IMO,this would not be a master set but a good start towards one.The reason they do not consider all the parallels is because often they are way short printed and often hard to track down,thus near impossible to complete...yet it can be done.

I say choose a set and go for it.Start with the base,build it,move on to one insert set,build it,the next one,build it and so on.

Have fun and good luck!

-Frank-

[Thesantaclaws2k3]

Thanks, 1 more question what are parallels to the set?

[Knight302]

A parallel may be a subset that is similar to the regular base set but is special for some reason and is a more difficult pull.

For example,2003 Upper Deck MVP has a 220 card base set.There is also a "silver" parallel set which is seeded at 1 per pack (I think) but every card is identical to the regular base set except that it has a silver border.So there is also a 220 card silver parallel set but instead of getting 5 silver cards per pack,you get 4 base cards and 1 silver card.(My numbers may be off but this is just an example).

Another example is Topps.They have their regular base set as well as a gold parallel set.

A parallel set is always SP'ed

Hope this helps.

-Frank-