In the Pokemon TCG, there are many rarity levels, which can be challenging for newcomers to distinguish. However, there are specific rarity symbols to help identify them, and each level has its own unique characteristics. One of these rarity levels is the Special Illustration Rare cards.
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Posts 2 By Emre PalaThese cards stand out due to their stunning and captivating artwork, which not only makes some of them highly valuable but also offers a fresh perspective on Pokémon in their natural habitats. This guide will explain what Special Illustration Rare cards are, highlight their differences, and provide a table listing over 100 of these cards.
Special Illustration Rare Cards, Explained
Cards with the Special Illustration Rare rarity were introduced with the Scarlet & Violet expansion. These cards are exclusive to non-Asian regions. What makes them truly special is that they are Full Art cards, and beyond that, they are also considered Secret Rares.
Keep in mind that every card has a collector number, usually located in the bottom-left or bottom-right corner. Each set has a defined number of cards, and Secret Rares have numbers that go beyond the set total. For example, in a 90-card set, anything numbered 91 or higher is classified as a Secret Rare.
These Full Art cards often depict Pokemon in their natural environments. In addition, they typically feature an additional layer of glitter foil. Some of them are alternate art versions of Pokemon ex, and there are also Special Illustration Rare versions of Supporter Trainer cards. However, Item, Tool, and Stadium cards do not come in this rarity.
You can identify a Special Illustration Rare card by the double gold star icon found at the bottom of the card. This symbol features two gold stars, with the one on the left slightly higher than the one on the right.
Differences Of Special Illustration Rare Compared To Other Rarities
In Japanese sets, Special Illustration Rare cards do not have the double gold star icon. Instead, they are marked with the SAR symbol. In one of the Japanese sets, VSTAR Universe, Special Art Rare cards were introduced. However, this rarity type does not fully align with Special Illustration Rare and is not the same as them.
Officially, Special Art Rare cards from Sword & Shield series called Galarian Gallery Ultra Rares, and they feature either a white star or the GGU label as their rarity symbol.
Trainer Gallery cards from the Brilliant Stars expansion are also sometimes confused with Special Illustration Rares. As the name suggests, Trainer Gallery cards usually feature trainers, while Special Illustration Rares generally do not. Trainer Gallery cards also have a white star as their rarity symbol, instead of a double star.
It’s also important not to confuse Illustration Rare cards with Special Illustration Rare cards. Illustration Rares have a single gold star as their rarity, and their Japanese equivalent is Art Rare, marked with the AR symbol. Like Special Illustration Rares, these cards also feature alternate full-art Pokemon and are considered Secret Rares.
Special Illustration Rare cards always have Double Rare and Ultra Rare versions of the same Pokémon in the same set. Illustration Rare cards, however, do not have additional alternate arts in the same set.
Additionally, don't confuse Special Illustration Rare cards with Hyper Rare cards. Hyper Rares are even rarer and feature a three-star icon instead of the two gold stars found on Special Illustration Rares. Moreover, Hyper Rare cards include not only Pokemon but also Energy, Special Energy, Item, Tool and Stadium.
However, unlike Special Illustration Rare cards, Hyper Rares do not feature any supporter cards.
All Special Illustration Rare Cards
Below is a table listing all Special Illustration Rare card names:
Set
Card Name
Card Type
Card No
Scarlet & Violet
Spidops ex
Pokemon
243/198
Miraidon ex
Pokemon
244/198
Gardevoir ex
Pokemon
245/198
Great Tusk ex
Pokemon
246/198
Koraidon ex
Pokemon
247/198
Iron Treads ex
Pokemon
248/198
Arven
Supporter
249/198
Jacq
Supporter
250/198
Miriam
Supporter
251/198
Penny
Supporter
252/198
Paldea Evolved
Meowscarada ex
Pokemon
256/193
Wo-Chien ex
Pokemon
257/193
Skeleridge ex
Pokemon
258/193
Chi-Yu ex
Pokemon
259/193
Quaquaval ex
Pokemon
260/193
Chien-Pao ex
Pokemon
261/193
Tinkaton ex
Pokemon
262/193
Ting-Lu ex
Pokemon
263/193
Squawkabilly
Pokemon
264/193
Boss's Orders
Supporter
265/193
Dendra
Supporter
266/193
Giacomo
Supporter
267/193
Grusha
Supporter
268/193
Iono
Supporter
269/193
Saguaro
Supporter
270/193
151
Venusaur ex
Pokemon
198/165
Charizard ex
Pokemon
199/165
Blastoise ex
Pokemon
200/165
Alakazam ex
Pokemon
201/165
Zapdos ex
Pokemon
202/165
Erika's Invitation
Supporter
203/165
Giovanni's Charisma
Supporter
204/165
Obsidian Flames
Eiscue ex
Pokemon
222/197
Charizard ex
Pokemon
223/197
Revavroom ex
Pokemon
224/197
Pidgeot ex
Pokemon
225/197
Geeta
Supporter
226/197
Poppy
Supporter
227/197
Paradox Rift
Garchomp ex
Pokemon
245/182
Golisopod ex
Pokemon
246/182
Tapu Koko ex
Pokemon
247/182
Iron Hands ex
Pokemon
248/182
Iron Valiant ex
Pokemon
249/182
Sandy Shocks ex
Pokemon
250/182
Roaring Moon ex
Pokemon
251/182
Gholdengo ex
Pokemon
252/182
Altaria ex
Pokemon
253/182
Mela
Supporter
254/182
Parasol Lady
Supporter
255/182
Professor Sada's Vitality
Supporter
256/182
Professor Turo's Scenario
Supporter
257/182
Rika
Supporter
258/182
Tulip
Supporter
259/182
Paldean Fates
Mew ex
Pokemon
232/091
Gardevoir ex
Pokemon
233/091
Charizard ex
Pokemon
234/091
Arven
Supporter
235/091
Clive
Supporter
236/091
Iono
Supporter
237/091
Nemona
Supporter
238/091
Penny
Supporter
239/091
Temporal Forces
Iron Leaves ex
Pokemon
203/162
Gouging Fire ex
Supporter
204/162
Walking Wake ex
Pokemon
205/162
Iron Crown ex
Pokemon
206/162
Iron Boulder ex
Pokemon
207/162
Raging Bolt ex
Pokemon
208/162
Bianca's Devotion
Supporter
209/162
Eri
Supporter
210/162
Morty's Conviction
Supporter
211/162
Salvatore
Supporter
212/162
Twilight Masquerade
Sinistcha ex
Pokemon
210/167
Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex
Pokemon
216/167
Teal Mask Ogerpon ex
Pokemon
211/167
Hearthflame Mask Ogerpon ex
Pokemon
212/167
Wellspring Mask Ogerpon ex
Pokemon
213/167
Greninja ex
Pokemon
214/167
Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon
Pokemon
215/167
Carmine
Supporter
217/167
Kieran
Supporter
218/167
Lana's Aid
Supporter
219/167
Perrin
Supporter
220/167
Shrouded Fable
Okidogi ex
Pokemon
090/064
Munkidori ex
Pokemon
091/064
Fezandipiti ex
Pokemon
092/064
Pecharunt ex
Pokemon
093/064
Cassiopeia
Supporter
094/064
Stellar Crown
Hydrapple ex
Pokemon
167/142
Dachsbun ex
Pokemon
169/142
Galvantula ex
Pokemon
168/142
Terapagos ex
Pokemon
170/142
Briar
Supporter
171/142
Lacey
Supporter
172/142
Surging Sparks
Durant ex
Pokemon
236/191
Milotic ex
Pokemon
237/191
Pikachu ex
Pokemon
238/191
Latias ex
Pokemon
239/191
Hydreigon ex
Pokemon
240/191
Archaludon ex
Pokemon
241/191
Alolan Exeggutor ex
Pokemon
242/191
Clemont's Quick Wit
Supporter
243/191
Drayton
Supporter
244/191
Jasmine's Gaze
Supporter
245/191
Lisia's Appeal
Supporter
246/191
Prismatic Evolutions
Palafin ex
Pokemon
151/131
Iron Hands ex
Pokemon
154/131
Espeon ex
Pokemon
155/131
Umbreon ex
Pokemon
161/131
Gholdengo ex
Pokemon
164/131
Dragapult ex
Pokemon
165/131
Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex
Pokemon
168/131
Journey Together
Volcanion ex
Pokemon
182/159
Iono's Bellibolt ex
Pokemon
183/159
Lillie's Clefairy ex
Pokemon
184/159
N's Zoroark ex
Pokemon
185/159
Hop's Zacian ex
Pokemon
186/159
Salamence
Pokemon
187/159
SVP Black Star Promos
Mew ex
Pokemon
053
Iono
Supporter
124
Kingdra ex
Pokemon
131
Greninja ex
Pokemon
132
read more NextPokemon TCG: The 9 Most Valuable Special Illustration Rare Cards
Art? Yes. Investment? Definitely.
Posts By Emre Pala
