The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) has been a cornerstone of the franchise’s popularity since its inception, enchanting fans with its strategic gameplay and breathtaking artwork. Pokemon TCG Pocket, the digital adaptation of this beloved classic, elevates the experience by bringing these iconic cards to life in stunning detail. One of the game’s biggest draws is its diverse card rarities, which not only influence gameplay but also highlight the beauty and creativity behind each card design.
This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the different rarity types in Pokemon TCG Pocket, exploring their unique characteristics, pull rates in booster packs, and what makes them so coveted by collectors and players alike.
Rarity Overview
| Rarity | Type | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-diamond | Basic Pokémon | |||
| Two-diamond | Basic or Stage One Pokémon | |||
| Three-diamond | Stage One or Stage Two Pokémon | |||
| Four-diamond | EX Pokémon | |||
| One-star | A full art of a Basic, Stage One, or Stage Two Pokémon | |||
| Two-star | A full art of an EX Pokémon | |||
| Three-star | A special immersive card of an EX Pokémon | |||
| Crown | Gold edition of rare EX Pokémon |
One-diamond
Pokemon cards featuring a single diamond symbol on the bottom left are known as Basic Pokemon. These cards are fundamental to building a deck, often serving as the starting point for evolving into more powerful forms. Basic Pokemon typically possess straightforward abilities and modest stats, making them less impactful on their own. They don’t showcase any unique design elements aside from the featured artwork, but they play a crucial role in supporting a player’s strategy during gameplay.
Two-diamond
Pokemon cards with a ‘two-diamond’ symbol on the bottom left are classified as either Basic or Stage One Pokemon. Stage One Pokemon represent the first evolution of a Basic Pokemon, often bringing increased stats and more impactful abilities to the table. While their design remains relatively simple, without notable visual features beyond the artwork, their abilities tend to be more powerful compared to their Basic counterparts, making them an important step in strengthening your deck and advancing your strategy.
Three-diamond
Pokemon cards with a ‘three-diamond’ symbol on the bottom left are classified as either Stage One or Stage Two Pokemon. Stage Two Pokemon represent the final evolution of a Basic Pokemon, evolving from a Stage One card. Unlike the previously mentioned rarities, these cards feature a distinctive silver holographic border, adding a visually striking element to their design. Stage Two cards generally deliver significantly more damage and possess stronger abilities than their earlier evolutionary stages, making them a key component of many competitive strategies. However, despite their power, they still fall short when compared to the next tier of rarity.
Four-diamond
This is where things start to get exciting. Pokemon cards with a ‘four-diamond’ stamp are classified as EX Pokemon. These cards are renowned for their powerful abilities and stunning artwork, making them a standout addition to any deck. What sets them apart even further is their immersive holographic design—when viewed in the app and tilted, the card seemingly comes to life, creating a dynamic, eye-catching effect. EX Pokemon deliver incredible gameplay value while offering a visually captivating experience for collectors everywhere.
One-star
Welcome to the star category of the rarity hierarchy! It’s important to note that star variations are primarily stylistic and do not offer different abilities compared to their diamond variation counterparts. However, what they lack in gameplay differences, they more than make up for in visual appeal. ‘One-star’ cards are especially stunning, showcasing a breathtaking full-art design of a Basic, Stage One, or Stage Two Pokemon, framed by a vibrant and colorful border. These cards are a feast for the eyes and a prized addition for collectors who appreciate beautiful card aesthetics.
Two-star
Pokemon cards with a ‘two-star’ stamp share similarities with ‘one-star’ cards but bring an added level of excitement. Instead of featuring a full-art design of a Basic, Stage One, or Stage Two Pokemon, these cards showcase a full-art EX Pokemon. The designs come in two distinct styles: one features a bold, colorful background with a large, dynamic full-art depiction of the Pokemon, while the other highlights a rainbow-hued background with the Pokemon set in a natural, scenic environment. These artistic variations make ‘two-star’ cards both visually stunning and highly sought after by players and collectors alike.
Three-star
My personal favorite, Pokemon cards with a ‘three-star’ stamp, come with a thrilling twist that has captivated fans since their introduction. These cards go beyond traditional designs to offer an immersive experience that highlights the innovative potential of the Pokemon TCG app. When you press and hold your finger on the card for a few seconds, it springs to life with a short, dynamic video. The animation breaks free from the card’s borders, expanding into a breathtaking widescreen scene featuring multiple species of Pokemon. This unique feature not only celebrates the artistry of the game but also adds a magical layer of interactivity for fans and collectors alike.
Crown
The pinnacle of rarity, Pokemon cards with the ‘crown’ stamp are the rarest and most coveted in the game. These cards are similar to the ‘two-star’ rarity in that they feature full-art designs of EX Pokémon, but with a striking twist— they are presented in a shimmering gold paint job! The selection of ‘crown’ cards follows a (developing) pattern. In the Genetic Apex expansion, three ‘crown’ cards were featured: Charizard, Mewtwo, and Pikachu, all matching the pack art. In the Mythical Island expansion, Celebi took the spotlight as the sole ‘crown’ card. Based on this pattern, it’s likely that the upcoming Space-Time Smackdown expansion will include two ‘crown’ cards, Dialga and Palkia, but we’ll have to wait and see!
Pull Rates
*According to Pokemon TCG Pocket app.
| Rarity | Odds |
|---|---|
| ♦ | 100% |
| ♦♦ | 96% |
| ♦♦♦ | 24% |
| ♦♦♦♦ | 8% |
| ★ | 12.5% |
| ★★ | 2.5% |
| ★★★ | 1.1% |
| ♛ | 1.6% |
Follow us on X (Twitter) and turn on notifications to stay updated whenever we post new articles!
3 thoughts on “Pokemon TCG Pocket: The Ultimate Card Rarity Guide”