Pokemon TCG rarities and print types

For each set we load every card row the official Pokemon TCG API returns for that set ID. That includes commons through secret rares with high collector numbers (for example 200/197), as long as they are tagged to that set in the API.

Your master set grid uses one or more slots per API card: when the API exposes separate TCGPlayer price buckets (such as Normal and Reverse Holo), you get a row per bucket. For many Common / Uncommon / Rare cards without prices yet, we still model Normal and Reverse Holo lines to match English booster sheets. Holo rares, Pokemon ex, ultra rares, and special art cards often appear as a single slot when the API does not split them.

Promotional cards with Black Star promos or special stamps are often stored under a different set ID in the API (for example a promo set), not under the main expansion. Open Pokemon sets and search for that promo set to track them.

Common (●)

Abundant, non-foil, often basic Pokemon. Sometimes called bulk or filler when building decks.

Uncommon (◆)

Less common than Commons; many Trainers and evolution lines. Also treated as bulk in large quantities.

Rare (★)

At least one Rare (or better) per booster in typical products. Includes non-ultra holo rares people call Holo Rares or star rares.

Double Rare (RR / ★★)

Modern Pokemon ex (and similar) double-star cards that show up frequently in the rare slot for the era. Strong in play and easy to spot in lists.

Ultra Rare (UR / ☆☆)

Textured or full-art Pokemon ex or full-art Supporters and related trainers. High collectibility.

Illustration Rare (IR / ☆)

Full-art illustration treatment, usually not the textured special art finish. Often called full art in casual talk.

Special Illustration Rare (SIR / ☆☆)

Textured alternate art with premium presentation. Among the most sought chase cards in a set.

Hyper Rare (HR / ☆☆☆)

Gold or rainbow-gold textured cards, usually the rarest tier in the numbered list. High collector value.

Secret rares are cards whose collector number is higher than the printed set size (for example 200/197). They are still part of the expansion in the API when the publisher assigns them to that set, and we list them with everything else for that set ID.

Promotional prints use the Black Star promo numbering or special product stamps. In the API they may appear as their own set (for example a promo set code) rather than mixed into the main expansion. Track them by opening the matching promo or special set on this site.

Reverse Holo (Reverse foil) prints use foil on the card frame while the illustration stays non-foil. In English boosters, most Commons, Uncommons, and many Rares exist as Reverse Holo. In our grid they appear as their own slot when we can infer or price them separately from the non-foil copy.

ACE SPEC Trainer cards use a distinct magenta frame and strong effects; the API exposes them as their own card rows like any other rarity string.

• Bulk or filler: usually Commons and Uncommons stacked for decks or trade value by weight.
• Chase or hits: the rare pulls people hunt (ultra rares, full arts, gold cards, top meta ex cards).
• Star or holo rare: informal names for certain Rare holo slots, depending on era.