Pokémon Sets
What is a Pokémon Set?
A Pokémon set (in the Pokémon Trading Card Game) is essentially a collection of cards released all at once, much like a new season or chapter of a series.
What Is a Pokémon Set?
- A set is a collection of Pokémon cards that are all released together on a specific date.
- Each set has its own theme, logo, and often a new game mechanic or card type (such as EX, GX, VSTAR, or, more recently, Tera Pokémon).
- A set consists of booster packs, Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs), and sometimes special collector's boxes.
Putting Together a Set
- Number of cards: usually between 150 and 250 cards (including secret rare cards such as rainbow rares, gold cards, and alternate art cards).
- Map categories:
- Pokémon cards → the creatures themselves, with their attacks and abilities.
- Coach Cards → resources, fans, and stadiums that determine strategy.
- Energy cards → required to carry out attacks.
- Rarity:
- Common (●), Uncommon (◆), Rare (★), and, above those, special rarities (holo rares, full arts, secret rares).
Why do sets exist?
- Making the Game Playable → New sets often introduce new rules or strategies to the competitive card game.
- The Joy of Collecting → Each set features unique artwork and rare cards that are highly sought after by collectors.
- Cycles → Older sets “rotate” out of the tournament format (Standard) after a while, keeping the game fresh and balanced.
Examples
- Base Set (1999): the very first set in English, featuring iconic cards such as Charizard.
- Evolving Skies (2021): beloved by collectors because it features many “Eeveelutions” in alternative artwork.
- 151 (2023): a special theme based on the original 151 Pokémon from Kanto.
In short:
APokémon set is a chapter in TCG history, featuring a mix of playable and collectible cards that together convey a theme.
| Series / Era | Set Name | Date of Publication (English) |
|---|---|---|
| Base / Original Series | Base Set | January 9, 1999 |
| Jungle | June 16, 1999 | |
| Fossil | October 10, 1999 | |
| Base Set 2 | February 24, 2000 | |
| Team Rocket | April 24, 2000 | |
| Gym Heroes | August 14, 2000 | |
| Gym Challenge | October 26, 2000 | |
| Neo Series | Neo Genesis | December 16, 2000 |
| Neo Discovery | June 1, 2001 | |
| Neo Revelation | September 21, 2001 | |
| Neo Destiny | February 28, 2002 | |
| Legendary Collection | Legendary Collection | May 24, 2002 |
| e-Card Series | Expedition Base Set | September 15, 2002 |
| Aquapolis | January 15, 2003 | |
| Skyridge | May 12, 2003 | |
| EX Series | EX Ruby & Sapphire | July 18, 2003 |
| EX Sandstorm | September 18, 2003 | |
| EX Dragon | November 24, 2003 | |
| EX Team Magma vs. Team Aqua | March 15, 2004 | |
| EX Hidden Legends | June 14, 2004 | |
| EX FireRed & LeafGreen | August 30, 2004 | |
| EX Team Rocket Returns | November 8, 2004 | |
| EX Deoxys | February 14, 2005 | |
| EX Emerald | May 9, 2005 | |
| EX Unseen Forces | August 22, 2005 | |
| EX Delta Species | October 31, 2005 | |
| EX Legend Maker | February 13, 2006 | |
| Former Holon Phantoms | May 3, 2006 | |
| EX Crystal Guardians | August 30, 2006 | |
| EX Dragon Frontiers | November 8, 2006 | |
| EX Power Keepers | February 14, 2007 | |
| Diamond & Pearl Series | Diamond & Pearl | May 23, 2007 |
| Mysterious Treasures | August 22, 2007 | |
| Secret Wonders | November 7, 2007 | |
| Great Encounters | February 13, 2008 | |
| Majestic Dawn | May 21, 2008 | |
| Legends Awakened | August 20, 2008 | |
| Stormfront | November 5, 2008 | |
| Platinum Series | Platinum | February 11, 2009 |
| Rising Rivals | May 16, 2009 | |
| Supreme Victors | August 19, 2009 | |
| Arceus | November 4, 2009 | |
| HeartGold & SoulSilver | HeartGold & SoulSilver | February 10, 2010 |
| Unleashed | May 12, 2010 | |
| Undaunted | August 18, 2010 | |
| Triumphant | November 3, 2010 | |
| Call of Legends | Call of Legends | February 9, 2011 |
| Black & White Series | Black & White | April 25, 2011 |
| Emerging Powers | August 31, 2011 | |
| Noble Victories | November 16, 2011 | |
| Next Destinies | February 8, 2012 | |
| Dark Explorers | May 9, 2012 | |
| Dragons Exalted | August 15, 2012 | |
| Dragon Vault (Special Set) | October 5, 2012 | |
| Boundaries Crossed | November 7, 2012 | |
| Plasma Storm | February 6, 2013 | |
| Plasma Freeze | May 8, 2013 | |
| Plasma Blast | August 14, 2013 | |
| Legendary Treasures | November 6, 2013 | |
| XY Series | Kalos Starter Set | November 8, 2013 |
| XY (base) | February 5, 2014 | |
| Flashfire | May 7, 2014 | |
| Furious Fists | August 13, 2014 | |
| Phantom Forces | November 5, 2014 | |
| Primal Clash | February 4, 2015 | |
| Double Crisis | March 25, 2015 | |
| Roaring Skies | May 6, 2015 | |
| Ancient Origins | August 12, 2015 | |
| BREAKthrough | November 4, 2015 | |
| BREAKpoint | February 3, 2016 | |
| Generations | February 22, 2016 | |
| Fates Collide | May 2, 2016 | |
| Steam Siege | August 3, 2016 | |
| Evolutions | November 2, 2016 | |
| Sun & Moon Series | Sun & Moon (base) | February 3, 2017 |
| Guardians Rising | May 5, 2017 | |
| Burning Shadows | August 4, 2017 | |
| Shining Legends | October 6, 2017 | |
| Crimson Invasion | November 3, 2017 | |
| Ultra Prism | February 2, 2018 | |
| Forbidden Light | May 4, 2018 | |
| Celestial Storm | August 3, 2018 | |
| Dragon Majesty | September 7, 2018 | |
| Lost Thunder | November 2, 2018 | |
| Team Up | February 1, 2019 | |
| Detective Pikachu | March 29, 2019 | |
| Unbroken Bonds | May 3, 2019 | |
| Unified Minds | August 2, 2019 | |
| Hidden Fates | August 23, 2019 | |
| Cosmic Eclipse | November 1, 2019 | |
| Sword & Shield Series | Sword & Shield (base) | February 7, 2020 |
| Rebel Clash | May 1, 2020 | |
| Darkness Ablaze | August 14, 2020 | |
| Champion's Path | September 25, 2020 | |
| Vivid Voltage | November 13, 2020 | |
| Shining Fates | February 19, 2021 | |
| Battle Styles | March 19, 2021 | |
| Chilling Reign | June 18, 2021 | |
| Evolving Skies | August 27, 2021 | |
| Celebrations | October 8, 2021 | |
| Fusion Strike | November 12, 2021 | |
| Brilliant Stars | February 25, 2022 | |
| Astral Radiance | May 27, 2022 | |
| Pokémon GO (Special) | July 1, 2022 | |
| Lost Origin | September 9, 2022 | |
| Silver Tempest | November 11, 2022 | |
| Crown Zenith | January 20, 2023 | |
| Scarlet & Violet Series | Scarlet & Violet (base) | March 31, 2023 |
| Paldea Evolved | June 9, 2023 | |
| Obsidian Flames | August 11, 2023 | |
| 151 (special expansion) | September 22, 2023 | |
| Paradox Rift | November 3, 2023 | |
| Paldean Fates | January 26, 2024 | |
| Temporal Forces | March 22, 2024 | |
| Twilight Masquerade | May 24, 2024 | |
| Shrouded Fable | August 2, 2024 | |
| Stellar Crown | September 13, 2024 | |
| Surging Sparks | November 8, 2024 | |
| Prismatic Evolutions | January 17, 2025 | |
| Journey Together | March 28, 2025 | |
| Destined Rivals | May 30, 2025 | |
| Black Bolt | July 18, 2025 | |
| White Flare | July 18, 2025 | |
| Mega Evolution Series | Mega Evolution | September 26, 2025 |
| Phantasmal Flames | November 14, 2025 | |
| Ascended Heroes | January 30, 2026 | |
| Perfect Order | March 27, 2026 | |
| Chaos Rising | May 22, 2026 | |
| Pitch Black | July 17, 2026 | |
| 30th Anniversary | September 16, 2026 | |
| Delta Reign | November 6, 2026 |