Pokemon Cards by Rarity
Explore every Pokemon TCG rarity tier, from Common cards found in every pack to the most coveted Secret Rares and Special Illustration Rares. Select a rarity below to browse all cards in that category.
Common
The most basic cards, found frequently in every booster pack.
UncommonUncommon
Slightly harder to pull than commons, found in most packs.
RareRare
Standard rarity cards marked with a star symbol.
Rare HoloRare Holo
Holographic rare cards with foil artwork that shimmers in the light.
Rare Holo EXRare Holo EX
Powerful EX Pokemon cards from the XY era with high HP and strong attacks.
Rare Holo GXRare Holo GX
GX cards with powerful GX attacks introduced in the Sun & Moon series.
Rare Holo VRare Holo V
V Pokemon cards from the Sword & Shield era featuring dynamic artwork.
Rare VMAXRare VMAX
Dynamax and Gigantamax evolution cards with massive HP pools.
Rare VSTARRare VSTAR
VSTAR Pokemon with a special VSTAR Power usable once per game.
Double RareDouble Rare
Two-star rarity cards introduced in the Scarlet & Violet series.
Ultra RareUltra Rare
Full art cards with premium artwork covering the entire card face.
Illustration RareIllustration Rare
Cards with unique artistic illustrations that extend beyond the normal borders.
Special Illustration RareSpecial Illustration Rare
Premium full-art cards featuring immersive scenes and stunning artwork.
Hyper RareHyper Rare
Gold or rainbow foil secret rares, among the most collectible pulls.
Secret RareSecret Rare
Cards numbered beyond the set's official count, hidden treasures in booster packs.
Shiny RareShiny Rare
Cards featuring shiny or alternate color Pokemon variants.
Shiny Ultra RareShiny Ultra Rare
Ultra rare cards showcasing shiny Pokemon with premium artwork.
Amazing RareAmazing Rare
Rainbow-colored cards from the Sword & Shield era with unique color patterns.
ACE SPEC RareACE SPEC Rare
Special trainer cards limited to one per deck, offering powerful effects.
Rare PrimeRare Prime
Prime cards from the HeartGold & SoulSilver era with textured foil.
Rare BREAKRare BREAK
BREAK evolution cards with a horizontal layout from the XY series.
Rare Prism StarRare Prism Star
Prism Star cards limited to one per deck from Sun & Moon.
Rare RainbowRare Rainbow
Rainbow rare variants of powerful Pokemon with multicolored foil.
Rare SecretRare Secret
Secret rare cards with alternate art or gold borders.
Rare ShiningRare Shining
Rare Shining Pokemon cards with alternate color variants.
Rare UltraRare Ultra
Ultra rare full art cards with textured surfaces and premium designs.
LEGENDLEGEND
LEGEND cards that combine two cards to form a single stunning artwork.
PromoPromo
Promotional cards distributed through special events, products, and tournaments.
Understanding Pokemon Card Rarities
Pokemon TCG cards come in a wide variety of rarities, each indicated by a symbol in the bottom corner of the card. The rarity system has evolved significantly since the game's launch in 1996, introducing new tiers to reflect increasingly premium card designs and gameplay mechanics.
Base Rarities: Common, Uncommon, and Rare
Every Pokemon booster pack contains a mix of Common (circle symbol), Uncommon (diamond symbol), and Rare (star symbol) cards. These form the foundation of the rarity system. Common and Uncommon cards are essential for deck building, while Rare cards often feature stronger Pokemon or holographic foil patterns.
Premium Rarities: EX, GX, V, VMAX, and VSTAR
Over the years, the Pokemon Company has introduced special Pokemon card types tied to gameplay mechanics. EX cards debuted in the XY era, followed by GX cards in Sun & Moon, and V/VMAX/VSTAR cards in Sword & Shield. Each of these categories features powerful Pokemon with higher HP and devastating attacks, making them highly sought after by both players and collectors.
Collector Rarities: Illustration Rare, Special Illustration Rare, and Hyper Rare
The Scarlet & Violet era introduced a refined rarity system with Illustration Rare and Special Illustration Rare cards. These feature unique artwork that extends beyond the card's normal borders, creating immersive scenes. Hyper Rares, often featuring gold or rainbow foil treatments, remain some of the most valuable pulls in any set.
Secret Rares and Beyond
Secret Rare cards are numbered beyond a set's official card count, making them true hidden gems. These cards often feature alternate artwork, gold borders, or special foil patterns. Combined with limited print runs and high collector demand, Secret Rares consistently command premium prices on the secondary market.
More Ways to Browse Pokemon Cards
Besides browsing by rarity, there are many ways to explore the Pokemon TCG. Browse all Pokemon cards by name to find every card for popular Pokemon like Charizard, Pikachu, Mewtwo, and Umbreon. Filter by energy type to explore Fire, Water, Psychic, Dragon, and more. Check our price guide for tips on understanding values, or visit most valuable Pokemon cards to see the top cards worth the most money. You can also scan your cards with our free AI-powered scanner for instant pricing.