Today on PokéMonday, we’ll be talking about Pokémon Trading Card Rarities!
Bonus Points if you get the reference.
I’m sure most of you know that Pokémon cards have their own rarity. Rarities are denoted by the the symbol at the bottom right of the card, along with the Set Number and Set Symbol.
The commonly known symbols are usually the Circle, the Diamond & the Star. Used to represent Commons, Uncommons and Rares respectively. Let’s take a look at a quick breakdown of the Cards.
Common
As per its classification, these are going to be the most common cards you’re going to see. Almost all Basic and/or Unevolved Pokémon will fall within this category.
Uncommon
Uncommons are the next step up the Rarity ladder. This is where most of the Stage 1 Evolved Pokémon reside, along with all the Trainers and Special Energy cards.
Rare
Now here comes the interesting cards, Rare Cards are all the Final Stage 2 Evolutions as well as Pokémon that are deemed Legendary within the Pokémon Universe.
Holofoil Rare
Holofoils are rarer compared to non-holofoil rare cards. This is denoted by by their Reflective Sheen behind the artwork.
The recently introduced BREAK cards also fall under this category. BREAK cards are unique in their orientation and design. Being a new Game mechanic, allowing your Pokémon to reach their full potential.
But did you know, there are Pokémon cards that are considered rarer then those just stated?
Ultra Rare
Within this rarity, you would find EX Pokémon. EX Pokémon were first introduced back in 2012, and they’ve been highly sought after by both Collectors and Gamers ever since. Visually EX Pokémon seem to be breaking the borders of the card, possibly a showcase of their Powerful Nature.
If you thought that the Artwork for the EX Pokémon were impressive. Wait till you crack a pack and find a Full Art Variant. Full Art Cards are exactly the same gameplay-wise as their standard counter part. However, they receive a visual upgrade that is a treat to your eyes. The surface of the Cards feature a special embossed etching treatment, making the Cards both nice to touch as well as look at.
Secret Rare
404 Secret Rare Not Found!
Now to end of today’s article with the exceptionally rarest of rares, The Secret Rare Cards!
Secret rare cards are cards with set numbers outside the printed size of the set (for example, a card numbered 125/124 for Fates Collide). They usually sport a Golden Border and a unique Artwork.
These Cards are notoriously hard to obtain.
Pull of the Week.
For this PokéMonday, I opened 6 packs for to showcase the rarity spread for this article, and was really lucky in getting at least one of each rarity to grab an image of. (Not a Secret Rare though. I can only be so lucky)
So today’s Pull of the Week is a really cool Garchomp from the BREAKPoint Set.
So being a Holofoil Rare, the backdrop for the art work has this rainbow sheen, with Garchomp almost bursting out of the card.
Next, when we take a look at Garchomp’s attacks, Turbo Assault and Bite Off.
With Turbo Assault, Garchomp deals a decent amount of damage at 60, but it’s the ability to attach AN ENERGY from your discard pile to anyone of your Pokémons. That’s right it allows you to pull back even Special Energy cards, like Double Colourless Energy, and attach it to any Pokémon. This makes Garchomp turn the tide by getting back your useful energy cards while still dealing damage.
Next Bite Off is an EX Pokémon Killer costing only 2 Fighting Energy. While only dealing 80 damage normally. Against an EX Pokémon, your opponent must PREPARE FOR TROUBLE, as you MAKE IT DOUBLE for a whopping 160 damage.
The only downside that I would say it has is that it’s a Stage 2 Pokémon. Which means you’re gonna need to evolve your Gible, which will take at least 2 turns. If only there was a way to get Fighting Pokemon out faster. Hint Hint
