However, casual formats can accept proxies in your deck, depending on the acceptance of other players in your play group
The art on the card isn't too dissimilar to the promo that featured as part of the real Pokemon Trading Card Game's 151 Ultra Premium Collection that was released late last year
Mechanically though, there is a difference, so it's a tool we use from time to time
In the latest booster packs, the cards that are chosen to be Short Printed cards are the same as the ones chosen to be Normal Rares in the OCG
While you do finish out the rest of your first game without the guidebooks help, I recommend continuing to work together for the rest of that game and deciding that who wins or loses doesnt count especially if both players are new to the game
As for the multiple cards you have to discard, consider this opener: Turn 2: Jace, Vryns Prodigy Turn 3: Discard Stitchwing Skaab, followed by discarding Geralfs Masterpiece and Prized Amalgam