Holos and Trainers and Art Rares — oh my! We all have our personal preferences when it comes to Pokémon TCG collecting. Whether you seek out only your favorite Pokémon, gravitate towards eye-catching art or aim to master entire sets, it’s useful to understand how Pokémon cards are categorized so you can find your favorites and identify rarities with ease. Brush up on how Pokémon TCG rarities are organized by reviewing our breakdown below.

You must look at a few details to identify a card's rarity. First, it’s helpful to look at its collector card number, which is found in the bottom right corner of the card. This number is typically represented in the ###/### format, with the first number on the left identifying the specific card number within the set and the second number on the right identifying the total number of cards in the set. However, it’s important to note that a set’s advertised number of cards is often lower than the actual amount — more on that later! In general, this is a handy way to determine which specific card you’re looking at and identify cards when buying or selling them.

Generally, Pokémon cards are grouped into three different rarities: Common, Uncommon and Rare. There are subcategories within these rarities that make things a bit more complicated, but at the most basic level you can determine rarity at a glance by looking at the symbol to the right of the collector card number.

 cards are likely what you’ll come across the most often as they have the lowest possible rarity within a set. Common cards are typically unevolved or single-stage Pokémon or Energy cards. Most cards (typically five to six) within a single booster pack are Common cards, so you’ll run into them fairly often.

Common Pokémon Card Examples

While Common cards are generally not holographic, there is a relatively new type of card called a 

. These cards feature a metallic, holofoil finish on the non-art portion. Any card at a Holofoil Rare rarity level or lower can be a Reverse Holo, including Commons. The value of these cards can vary, but they typically don’t boast hefty price tags due to how easy they are to get, with two included in each modern booster pack.

 cards, which are designated by a black diamond symbol. Despite their name, Uncommon cards are still relatively easy to come across as each booster pack typically contains three. Cards of this rarity can feature both unevolved or evolved Pokémon, although in general you’ll find a lot of middle-stage or double-stage Pokémon. Additionally, most Trainer cards you’ll encounter will have this rarity as well. Lastly, note that Reverse Holos can also be found for Uncommon cards. However, similar to their Common counterparts, the Reverse Holo values are often similar to their non-holofoil versions and usually aren’t worth a lot.

Uncommon Pokémon Card Examples

 cards, which are denoted by a single black filled-in star. Rare cards typically feature a fully evolved, Mythical or Legendary Pokémon. Most English booster packs will include one Rare card. Additionally, Rare cards are also able to come in the Reverse Holo format, which would be in addition to the guaranteed Rare that is already included in the booster pack.

Rare Pokémon Card Examples

Within this rarity, a card can be either a 

This type of rarity is exactly what it sounds like: a Rare card with no special holofoil treatment. These cards look visually similar to Common and Uncommon cards but feature a much rarer or stronger Pokémon.

A Holofoil Rare looks essentially the same as its Regular Rare version, except it features a holofoil finish on the Pokémon art portion of the card. That said, beginning with the 

expansion, all Rares will now have a holographic finish, effectively phasing out the necessity for the “Holofoil Rare” category for 

Last but not least, let’s talk about 1st Edition Pokémon cards. This now discontinued card type identified cards printed in the first print run of its respective set. 1st Edition cards could be Common, Uncommon or Rare and were designated by an “EDITION 1” symbol in addition to their rarity symbol.

1st Edition English cards first appeared with the very first Pokémon TCG set, 

, while 1st Edition Japanese cards first appeared with the 

(no English equivalent) and ended with the 

1st Edition cards are typically in high demand with collectors and have high price tags to boot, as these cards were only printed for a limited amount of time and are harder to come by. You’ll find some of the greatest demand for 1st Edition cards with the early English sets, such as 

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into where things get more complicated. For this guide, we’ll consider any card past a Holofoil Rare rarity an “Advanced Rarity,” which includes five general subcategories: 

. These rarities are typically where the card appearance begin to look noticeably different from the Basic Rarities. Here, you’ll find artwork and holofoil finishes that cover the entire card, unique variants to original card artwork and specialized gameplay mechanics that bring new elements to the Pokémon TCG.

This rarity is designated by two black filled-in stars and is the equivalent to the Japanese “RR” rarity symbol (also referred to as Double Rare). Introduced with the 

 TCG expansion, this card rarity currently features Pokémon ex cards, although it’s possible this changes in the future.

Double Rare Pokémon Card Examples

This next rarity classification is recognized by two white stars and is the equivalent to the Japanese “SR” rarity symbol, referred to as a Super Rare. While initially introduced in the 

 TCG expansion, this card type became truly fleshed out in the 

era. You may hear them colloquially referred to as “Full Art” cards. As their name implies, these cards feature striking artwork that takes up the entire card, making them desirable to collectors. They also typically feature a unique gameplay mechanic that makes them popular with TCG players.

Ultra Rare Pokémon Card Examples

era feature either Full Art Pokémon ex or Full Art Supporter Trainer cards, previous iterations of Ultra Rare card types include:

Here, we are also introduced to the concept of a 

 card. While Secret Rares can span a variety of rarity levels, what they have in common is that they’re all not advertised as part of the set quantity. Remember earlier when we covered collector card numbers in the ###/### format? Let’s use 151 as an example set quantity — that second number represents the advertised number of cards in a set. Secret Rares are extra cards that exceed that number and result in your seeing a collector card number such as “163/151”, with the card number exceeding the set quantity number.

expansion, all cards past the Double Rare rarity are considered Secret Rares, adding to the excitement and intrigue in discovering and collecting them.

A single gold star symbol designates this next rarity type and is the equivalent to the Japanese “AR” symbol, referred to as an Art Rare. You may hear these cards referred to in shorthand as “Alt Arts.” These cards serve as a second version of a regular Pokémon card in the main set and feature alternate, full-card artwork of their featured Pokémon while the moveset remains the same. As mentioned earlier, cards of this variety are considered Secret Rares.

Illustration Rare Pokémon Card Examples

While Illustration Rares technically originated with the 

expansion, one could argue that the Galarian Gallery cards from S

 are effectively Illustration Rares, arguably making them the unofficial origin of this rarity.

These cards are typically popular with collectors, particularly when cards feature fan-favorite Pokémon or awe-inspiring artwork. The price tag on these can run the gamut, beginning at just a buck or two or getting into the double digits and beyond.

Two gold stars designate this rarity, which is equivalent to the Japanese “SAR” symbol and is referred to as a Special Art Rare. Introduced with the 

expansion, cards of this rarity feature alternate artwork of a Pokémon ex or a Full Art Supporter Trainer card.

Special Illustration Rare Pokémon Card Examples

Similar to Illustration Rares, Special Illustration Rares also originated with the 

expansion, but the Galarian Gallery Pokémon V and Supporter Trainer cards are arguably the true, although unofficial, genesis of this rarity.

These cards are difficult to pull and are often among some of the top chases of their sets due to their intricate, desirable artwork and challenging pull rates. Special Illustration Rares are also considered Secret Rares.

Our last rarity is noted by three gold stars and is the equivalent to the Japanese “UR” symbol, referred to as an Ultra Rare (not to be confused with the English Ultra Rare rarity). These cards are often referred to as simply “Gold Cards” due to their recognizable gold backgrounds and borders. Hyper Rares can be alternate versions of any card in their set besides Supporter Trainer cards. They are also considered Secret Rares.

Hyper Rare Pokémon Card Examples

 is a discontinued rarity that featured identical artwork to another full-art card in their respective sets but recolored with a rainbow gradient on the character artwork and background. Rainbow Rares were designated by a single white star. While these cards were popular with some collectors, this rarity has been phased out and is no longer featured in 

 — time will tell if it ever returns in the future.

Rainbow Rare Pokémon Card Examples

Beyond the rarities mentioned above, there are two more rarity symbols you might encounter. However, unlike the previous rarities, these cards will not appear in standard booster packs. Instead, they can only be acquired by participating in a specific promotional event or purchasing a particular Pokémon product.

 are cards that are either included in a Pokémon product (such as an Elite Trainer Box) or given away during a promotional or special event (such as a Pokémon TCG tournament). These cards are identified by a black star symbol with the word “PROMO” written across it, hence why they’re also called “Black Star Promos.”

Promo Pokémon Card Examples

The demand for these cards varies, mostly depending on how difficult the Promo was to obtain or how popular the featured Pokémon is. As these cards typically come in a clear wrapper, some collectors opt to keep them sealed to better preserve their condition and value.

You may encounter some cards that feature a colored symbol of a specific Pokémon rather than a traditional rarity symbol. These cards come from Pokémon products containing preassembled decks or partial decks and are typically themed around a specific Pokémon — hence the associated symbol. Like Promos, these cards with Pokémon symbols can’t be pulled from standard booster packs and only come from their respective product, such as Trainer Kits or Battle Academy sets.

While the rarities and card types in the Pokémon TCG are constantly changing, we hope this guide helps you better understand the categories of cards you’ll encounter on your collecting journey. Stay tuned for future updates as the Pokémon TCG continues to expand and introduce us to exciting new card types to come.

Holos and Trainers and Art Rares — oh my! Brush up on how Pokémon TCG rarities are organized by reviewing our breakdown below.

Articles about collecting the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Collecting

Pokémon TCG Rarities Explained

We’re still a bit away from the May 24 official release date - and May 11 prerelease date - of the next Pokémon TCG set, 

. That said, you don’t need to wait any longer to get your first look at some of the exciting new cards and products coming our way!

Set in the realm of Kitakami from the Scarlet & Violet DLC 

, this next Pokémon TCG expansion will include an expected 226 cards highlighting some fan-favorite Pokémon the DLC introduced, such as the 

 (who will appear with four different Tera typings), the oh-so fearsome 

 and my personal favorite, the adorable, albeit creepy, 

. This set will also continue the inclusion of ACE SPEC cards; special effect cards that are so powerful, the TCG rules only allow for one per deck. We were all a little shook over here at Dittobase at the market price of ACE SPEC cards from the previous TCG set 

, so don’t sleep on them when planning out what your top hits might be!

(soon to be released this April). While we wait for the official release date, we’re excited to give you your first look at some of the international card reveals, many of which are in English - check them out below!

Card Reveals Image Grid

 SIR to be one of the top chases from the set, thanks to his time-tested popularity with fans and how stunning that colorful artwork is. Other standouts are the 

 IR and coordinating Perrin SIR. Peep Growlithe’s loving face reflected in the lens of Perrin’s camera - I can’t. Even more cool: not only do these complementary cards differ in type of card (Pokémon and Trainer), they also transcend rarity as well (IR and SIR). Lastly, we have to shout out that 

 IR, officially confirming what we’ve all always known was true in our hearts: you simply can’t have too many Eevees.

 products available for preorder. Let’s break down their components and pricing so you can decide which ones are the best option for you and your budget.

Note: Market prices are based on TCGPlayer listings as of 4/5/25.

Note: Small sample size due to few listings.)

1 Full Art Promo Card featuring Teal Mask Ogerpon (with Pokémon Center logo)

1 Full Art Promo Card featuring Teal Mask Ogerpon (without Pokémon Center logo)

1 Pack of 65 Card Sleeves featuring Teal Mask Ogerpon

1 Full Art Promo Card featuring Teal Mask Ogerpon

1 of 2 Unique Foil Promo Cards featuring 

Blister Images

Premium Blister Images

And there you have it: our first look at some of the anticipated cards and products coming our way with the release of 

! Stay tuned for more info from Dittobase as we approach the official release date and more cards and product details are revealed.

Let's take a first look at the May, 2024 English Pokémon TCG set, Twilight Masquerade.

Twilight Masquerade First Look: Set Details, Card Reveals & Expected Products

Happy Temporal Forces release day, trainers! Allow us to be your guide on everything you need to know to buy your ideal Pokémon TCG product for this exciting new expansion.

With 218 new cards to add to your collection (162 in the main set and 56 secret rares), the reintroduction of ACE SPEC cards (powerful special effect cards first introduced in the Black & White set Boundaries Crossed) and dazzling graphics of Paradox Pokémon (

), there’s a lot to love about this new Pokémon TCG set - just like there’s a lot of Temporal Forces TCG products now available for purchase. Whether you’re looking for the latest exclusives, adding to your sealed collection or seeking the best bang for your buck, we’ll walk you through which products are most worth your investment.

Note 1: Market price data is based on TCGPlayer market price as of 3/20/24.

Note 2: Price per pack is determined by market price / quantity of packs included in the product.

Pokémon Center exclusive stamped promo card

$149.99 (Walking Wake), $129.54 (Iron Leaves)

$13.64 (Walking Wake), $11.78 (Iron Leaves)

1 Full Art Promo Card featuring Flutter Mane or Iron Thorns (with Pokémon Center logo)

1 Full Art Promo Card featuring Flutter Mane or Iron Thorns (without Pokémon Center logo)

1 Pack of 65 card sleeves featuring Walking Wake or Iron Leaves

If you’re looking to master the Temporal Forces expansion set or add to your sealed collection of Pokémon Center exclusives, this ETB is a must-buy. You won’t find this Temporal Forces ETB in your local game store, as it’s only available through the official Pokémon Center store or via a reseller. This is also the only way to get the Pokémon Center stamped Flutter Mane or Iron Thorns promo card, so if you’re partial to collecting stamped cards, this needs to be on your shopping list.

The extra add-ons make fun collectors’ pieces and come in handy if you play the Pokémon TCG too. While I’m always one to rip my Pokémon products, I respect the fortitude of anyone who plans to keep this sealed as well as a smart investment item.

$42.68 (Walking Wake), $37.93 (Iron Leaves)

$4.74 (Walking Wake), $4.21 (Iron Leaves)

1 Full Art Promo Card featuring Flutter Mane or Iron Thorns

If you don’t care about Pokémon Center stamps but still want that exclusive 

 promo card, this standard Temporal Forces ETB is the best option for you. While you do get two less booster packs compared to the Pokémon Center version, the price per pack is still pretty solid considering all the bonus stuff you get as well. And for my sealed collectors, there’s still plenty of investment opportunity here, even without that official Pokémon Center stamp.

Play-ready deck for TCG players, foil promo card

1 of 4 Unique Foil Promo Cards featuring Feraligatr, Metang, Koraidon or Miraidon

Current TCG players or those new to the game, this is the product for you. With a ready-to-play deck of cards already assembled for you on top of four Temporal Forces booster packs and an exclusive foil promo card, this Pokémon TCG product is just the thing to get you prepared to challenge other trainers to battle in Paradox form style.

Ah, the beloved booster bundle. For a pleasantly low initial spend, this reasonably-priced TCG product gives you great bang for your buck without having to drop a lot of cash at once. This is also often the product-of-choice for those who aren’t swayed by the allure of exclusive promos and prefer to focus on the core Temporal Forces expansion set instead. For most collectors, this will be the most common purchase - and often the first type of product you’ll see sold out in your local game store for that exact reason 

If you have the money for it, booster boxes are far and away the most cost-effective way to get Temporal Forces - or any Pokémon TCG expansion, for that matter. While the initial investment might be too much for some, if you plan to buy multiple booster packs or booster bundles anyway, it’s often more affordable in the long run to spring for the booster box upfront instead.

Now we have the time-honored booster pack. While not always the wisest choice financially if you intend to buy multiple packs, singular booster packs are great when you only have a bit of cash to throw around or you just want to try your luck on a pack or two when the moment strikes. You’ll catch me throwing a booster pack or two into my cart before checkout more than I’d like to admit, so no shame in that game!

1 of 2 Unique Foil Promo Cards featuring Cleffa or Cyclizar

Somewhere between wanting a single pack or a booster bundle? The three-pack blister has got your back. With three Temporal Forces booster packs included along with an exclusive foil promo card featuring either 

, this Temporal Forces TCG product is another great option for affordable packs without overspending.

Temporal Forces Release Day Buyer’s Guide

The release of Temporal Forces, the fifth set from Scarlet & Violet, is right around the corner with its launch set for March 22. Featuring awe-inspiring artwork of the Paradox forms of three Johto legendary dogs and three Swords of Justice, plus plenty of bright and colorful cards to boot (looking at you, 

), this set is absolutely worth picking up some packs of to add to your TCG collection.

Can’t wait until the 22nd? Head to your local game store to participate in prerelease with Temporal Forces Build & Battle Boxes, now available. Each box includes four Temporal Forces packs and a sealed, play-ready set featuring a stamped card of either Koraidon, Miraidon, Metag or Feraligatr.

Now, without further adieu, let’s dive into the expected top hits from this exciting new set.

Note: Images show the Japanese artwork for each card and rankings are based on Cyber Judge and Wild Force ungraded price data from PriceCharting.com as of 3/10/24 while we await the official English release!

As a self-proclaimed lady Trainer card collector, am I somewhat biased putting Bianca’s Sincerity as the top chase for this set? Perhaps, although the Japanese market would agree with me. Featuring dreamy artwork of Bianca taking a snooze while Musharna floats peacefully above her, this SIR is currently topping the price list from Cyber Judge and Wild Force sets (the Japanese equivalents of Temporal Forces).

That said, female Trainer cards tend to be more in-demand in Japan than in English markets, so it’s possible this top hit drops a few places once released in Temporal Forces. Sorry, Bianca - enjoy your nap though!

Not only is this next hit another SIR Trainer card, it also features 

, a fan-favorite Pokémon since the Gen 1 days. Dark, mysterious and brooding, this card is a must-have for any Ghost Pokémon collectors or Trainer card enthusiasts (hi, it’s me).

 Paradox form may look, you can’t deny the drama of this 

SIR card (see what we did there?). Bright, bold and serving prehistoric realness, this 

 card commands your attention and its inclusion in your TCG collection.

 received a much more positive reception than its electric counterpart and this SIR’s artwork only adds to its favor. With an ultra-saturated, jewel-toned palette that complements 

 color scheme perfectly, this primordial Pokémon certainly deserves its top spot in Temporal Forces popularity.

Now here comes some Future Paradox Form representation! Regal and effortlessly blending both futuristic and natural elements, this 

 card is stunning and sure to remain in high demand once the English set drops.

This SIR card is one of my personal top chases, although I am a sucker for anything related to 

 or the Gen 2 legendary dogs in general. 

 is looking ferocious in this artwork which has him prowling the jungle and staring menacingly at anyone who dares to challenge him - a fearsome addition to your deck or collection.

It’s no surprise this SIR Trainer card is a top hit. Featuring the Team Star Fighting boss letting loose her intense battle cry, this card is a true knockout. Not to mention, Eri has one of the coolest character designs to come out of Scarlet & Violet. It’s a yes from me.

Why hello, Bianca - we meet again! As mentioned for her SIR, female Trainer cards are always a popular pick from Pokémon TCG sets, and Bianca’s Full Art variant is no exception. Originally introduced in Black & White, Bianca has remained a beloved character since, largely thanks to her being one of the kindest and least snarky rivals we’ve encountered over the years.

9. Ciphermaniac's Codebreaking Full Art ($28.89)

While I adore the Bianca cards, this techy lady leads the pack when it comes to Trainer card chases from Temporal Forces for me. We love women in STEM!

Last but not least, we have the SIR card for the Paradox form of Virizion. Likely inspired by a stag or antelope, the futuristic artwork of this card showcases this sleek Pokémon’s speed and power in style, which makes it no surprise why 

 EX rounds out our Temporal Forces top hits list.

While these cards may not be topping the price charts, they are topping the charts in my heart.

Gorgeously alluding to these Pokémons’ seasonal variants and featuring a super saturated color palette that pops, this pairing is a must-have in my personal collection.

Elder Pokéfans, where you at? Speaking of pop culture allusions, this 

 vibes and I would trade all my top hits to take a ride on his back through the clouds.

 line have a lot to love about Temporal Forces, such as this Gastly Full Art card. I’m loving how the colors give a nod to its Poison typing too. Better stay safe inside, 

This set is absolutely worth picking up some packs of to add to your TCG collection. Let's take a look at some of the cards!