All Card Variations & Terms Explained

There are many different card variations and terms in common usage within the Pokémon Trading Card Game, something which can be intimidating to newcomers. Alongside the complexities of the TCG’s terminology are several key card variations that are crucial to understanding the current meta of the game. However, while all these details may collectively seem daunting to learn, when taken individually they are far easier to get to grips with.

Building a powerful deck for the Pokémon TCG requires a strong understanding of current popular strategies and a constant awareness of how new cards and mechanics can interact with older ones. Of course, many people simply focus more on collecting cards instead, and the beautiful art and powerful mechanics of recent sets make the same cards appealing to everybody regardless. In any case, it is often crucial to understand all of the Pokémon TCG’s aspects when discussing its products, and therefore, the most important terms and card variations are all explained here.

Special Art & Illustration Rare Variations

The TCG Features Many Cards With Alternative Art

Among the most collectible Pokémon TCG cards are those with alternative artwork. There is an entire series of rarities exclusively used to denote these beautiful cards, which offer no additional gameplay value over less visually impressive counterparts. The way that the Pokémon TCG treats Full Art cards has changed between its eras, which does introduce some complications, but the basic terminology in use remains easily understood.

In the current Scarlet and Violet era of the TCG, these Full Art card variants are Secret Cards, existing beyond a set’s standard card numbering. In ascending order of rarity, they can typically be of Ultra Rare, Illustration Rare, Special Illustration Rare or Hyper Rare rarity. However, it is worth noting that the 2024 Paldean Fates expansion also introduced Shiny Rare and Shiny Ultra Rare cards, reprints of cards featuring shiny Pokémon, although only the latter group are also Full Art cards.

Ultra Rare cards are Full Art versions of Pokémon ex and Supporter cards, while Illustration Rare cards give regular Pokémon cards a similar treatment. Special Illustration Rares again give Pokémon ex and Supporters new artwork, but are considerably rarer than Ultra Rare versions. Finally, Hyper Rare cards are extremely few and far between, and give a gilded treatment to a small number of cards from nearly any category, except for Supporter cards.

V, VMAX, & VSTAR Cards Explained

The Previous Era’s Variant Pokémon Cards Still Have Influence

Pokémon V cards and their variations were the signature gimmick of the previous Sword and Shield Series of expansion sets, and some still see play in a competitive format. Essentially, the rules behind Pokémon V, VMAX, and VSTAR reflect variations on a central theme: a single card with incredible power, balanced by a Knock Out rewarding opponents with multiple Prize Cards. Each variation has its own particular niche within this broader framework that makes it distinct in gameplay, although set rotations will eventually see all Pokémon V become illegal in competitive settings regardless.

The original Pokémon V are all Basic Pokémon cards with much higher HP than regular Pokémon, which is complemented by potentially devastating Attacks. This makes any Pokémon V a significant threat, and this strength only grows with the addition of VMAX and VSTAR Pokémon, which both evolve from Pokémon V. Flavor-wise, the former is the TCG’s representation of Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokémon, while the latter are Pokémon granted power by Arceus. Notably, VSTAR Pokémon cards each have a VSTAR Power, an incredibly potent Attack or Ability that can be used once per game.

Three Pokémon Tool cards, Earthen Seal Stone, Forest Seal Stone, and Sky Seal Stone, also have VSTAR Powers; these can be used by attaching the Tool to a Pokémon V, allowing for more flexibility in a deck’s available VSTAR Power.

When a card’s text refers to a Pokémon V, VMAX, and VSTAR cards are also included in this (unless the text specifically references a Basic Pokémon V). Additionally, Knocking Out both Pokémon V and Pokémon VSTAR reward a player with two Prize Cards, while Pokémon VMAX instead reward three Prizes. It is also worth noting that there is a fourth variant of Pokémon V, V-UNION, which are formed by placing down four cards together. However, these are much rarer, to the point of only being introduced as promotional cards.

Ex, Tera, & Other Card Variations

Recent Pokémon Card Variants Adapt Terastallization

The current era of the Pokémon TCG has focused strongly on the return of Pokémon ex. The Pokémon TCG previously featured near-identically named variants, Pokémon-ex and Pokémon-EX, but regardless, modern Pokémon ex and their own variations are the only cards relevant to the current meta. In many ways, Pokémon ex are simply updated versions of Pokémon V, being stronger than average cards which reward two Prize Cards when Knocked Out, although evolved Pokémon species are treated as such instead of all Pokémon ex being Basic Pokémon.

Adapting the Terastal Phenomenon of the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet games, some Pokémon ex cards can also depict Terastallized Pokémon. Tera Pokémon ex, as denoted in a rule box at the top of each card, operate under the Tera Rule, which states that as long as they are in play and on the Bench they cannot take damage. Additionally, Type-shifted Tera Pokémon ex have different Types than what their featured Pokémon normally would, with the associated Resistances and Weaknesses, but their Attacks still use Energy suitable that Pokémon’s normal Type.

The most recent and arguably strongest Pokémon ex variant is Stellar Tera Pokémon ex. These cards adapt the Stellar Tera Type introduced alongside Terapagos in the games and add a further twist to Tera Pokémon ex. While the Tera Rule remains the same and is in effect for these cards, Stellar Tera Pokémon ex also each have access to an Attack costing three separate Energy types, which can easily turn the tide of a match. Interestingly, the concept behind Stellar Pokémon cards isn’t entirely new to the TCG, but their strength is still undeniable.

Promo Cards And Holofoils Hold Inherent Appeal For Collectors

Black Star Promos are the current range of promotional cards released alongside new expansions, with their name coming from their rarity symbol: a black star with “PROMO” written across it. However, they are not a part of any expansion’s set list and instead follow their own independent numbering system. Collectors can expect to find these promo cards in various Pokémon TCG products like Elite Trainer Boxes (although not the 6-pack Booster Bundles released for each expansion), and they are also distributed at events like tournaments.

Black Star Promo cards are as legal to play as any other
Pokémon TCG
card, so long as they have an appropriate regulation mark.

Holographic Foil cards, also known as Holofoils, Holos, and Foils, are treated with a special reflective layer to give an additional visual effect to their illustrations. Holofoils are naturally rarer than most cards, but all modern Rare cards have a Holofoil effect. Notably, most modern booster packs include a Rare card and two equally collectible Reverse Holofoils (unless one is replaced by a higher rarity card). Reverse Holofoils invert the usual Holofoil style, with foil treatment for everything but the illustration, and every card in a set’s regular listing has a Reverse Holo variant.

There are many aspects to the Pokémon TCG, but none are complex enough to be truly incomprehensible, even to beginners. As with any complex topic, individually breaking down the various card variations and terminology unique to the game makes all of this information much easier to consume. Moreover, by learning about just a few key topics regarding the game, not only does further learning become easier in turn, but so does engaging with the Pokémon Trading Card Game community in general.

Source: Pokémon Asia/YouTube