Struggling to tell which sort of rare Pokemon card you’ve just pulled? Here’s a complete guide to Illustration Rare cards, including tips on how to spot them when ripping packs.
There are lots of different rarities in the Pokemon TCG – ranging fromSpecial Illustration RarestoHyper Rares– and it can be a little confusing to understand what they all mean at first. Illustration Rares, also known as IRs, are highly prized by collectors and they can be valuable for competitive players, too.
The main indicator to watch out for with IR cards is a singular golden star towards the bottom of the card. This is the rarity symbol for Illustration Rares and it’s an easy way to figure out whether you’ve pulled an IR or another full-art card.
There are other full-art card types in the Pokemon TCG, so it’s good to be mindful of those as well. We’ve already mentioned Hyper Rares and SIR cards, but Ultra Rares are another kind that can be easily confused with IR cards.
The closest thing to an Illustration Rare in Japanese Pokemon cards is an Art Rare. These cards are also worth tracking down as a collector.
How can you spot an Illustration Rare?
Some IR cards are easier to spot than others. If you’re opening up a Booster Pack and you think you may have pulled one, follow these four steps:
If you do end up pulling an Illustration Rare, make sure to sleeve it and pop it in a binder. These cards can hold some real value over time, especially if you end up pulling aRare cardor a card featuring a fan-favorite Pokemon like an Eeveelution, so it’s worth trying to keep them in good condition.
Em Stonham was a Games Writer on Dexerto’s UK team, specializing in Pokemon coverage. They are a Pokemon TCG expert, and also covered Pokemon Go, and Pokemon Sword & Shield. Em is also a big fan of trading card games and World of Warcraft, with bylines at Only Greats, Sleeve No Card Behind, and Diamond Lobby.
