With a new Pokémon Trading Card Game subset for Generation 9 set to release in Japan, early looks at some of the new Illustration Rare cards have appeared. Illustration Rares will replace Rainbow Rares for Gen 9, aiming to showcase a Pokémon in the open world while giving a glimpse into their personality. This fits well with the general theme of Gen 9 as it was the first in the series to have a fully open world to explore in Scarlet and Violet. Additionally, any card will be able to become an Illustration Rare regardless of status or rarity, and this includes trainer cards.In Japan, the first subsets for Gen 9 have already been released, with Scarlet ex and Violet ex being the next to join in. In the West, smaller subsets, like the newly released Pokémon TCG Triple Beat subset, are put together to make one large set, which is why Western collectors can expect to see these cards around the end of March or early April. Generation 8 recently wrapped up with the Crown Zenith set and established another period of success for the trading card game. Due to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's massive success and the TCG's popularity, the new Gen 9 sets already have high expectations.
Every Illustration Rare Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Card So Far
So far, the new Illustration Rare cards have been organized based on which game, Scarlet or Violet, they are more prominent in. Something else that separates them from the ever-popular Secret Rares is that their set number is not outside the printed size. This method is the critical way that the Pokémon TCG's Secret Rares are spotted by collectors, as the set number will be on the bottom left of the card. The Illustration Rare cards currently known that will be coming in the first Gen 9 set are:
Scarlet ex Illustration Rares
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#79 Dolliv |
#80 Armarouge |
#81 Wiglett |
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#82 Dondozo |
#83 Ralts |
#84 Kirlia |
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#85 Fidough |
#86 Riolu |
#87 Sandile |
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#88 Klawf |
#89 Kingambit |
#90 Starly |
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#101 Gardevoir ex |
#102 Great Tusk |
#103 Koraidon ex |
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#104 Jacq |
#105 Penny |
Violet ex Illustration Rares
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#79 Tarountula |
#80 Toedscool |
#81 Scovillain |
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#82 Slowpoke |
#83 Clauncher |
#84 Pachirisu |
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#85 Pawmot |
#86 Drowzee |
#87 Greavard |
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#88 Mabosstiff |
#89 Bombirdier |
#90 Skwovet |
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#101 Spidops ex |
#102 Miraidon ex |
#103 Iron Treads ex |
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#104 Arven |
#105 Miriam |
Scarlet & Violet's Illustration Rare Cards Will Likely Become Popular
Though it is mainly speculation, if the Rainbow Rare cards they're replacing are any indication, Illustration Rare cards will likely have great appeal. This is primarily due to the beautiful art that has been assigned to these types of cards over the past few years. The Pokémon TCG's Illustration Rares, which are often Full Art cards, have focused more on landscape views that show a Pokémon interacting how people imagine it would. This disparity from the old ways, which would be a relatively static Pokémon occasionally performing a move, has ignited a new passion in collectors of the card game.
While it will be for different reasons, the competitive scene will also find some appeal in the new Illustration Rare cards. Some of these cards, especially the Pokémon TCG's returning ex-cards, will likely have very strong moves that players will want in their decks. In addition, competitive scenes will restrict cards past a certain age for official use, making new cards more prevalent for those who want an edge. The art itself may not play as big of a role in this case, but some players may still prefer to win with a bit of style.
Which Pokémon Trading Card Game Illustration Rare Cards To Look For
The Illustration Rare cards to look for will rely solely upon the goal of each individual Pokémon TCG collector or player. The first two are rather obvious, being the ex-versions of the Legendary duo Miraidon and Koraidon. Legendary Pokémon are often heavily sought competitively and for collections, especially when they're full art cards. Even with these cards likely to have large reprints, the chance for their value to stay over $100 is high. Ex-cards, including the new Scarlet and Violet ones, usually have very strong moves, doubly so when they're legendary cards, making it also very likely that these two will see significant competitive usage.
The four confirmed trainer Pokémon cards, Jacq, Arven, Penny, and Miriam, are also likely to be popular in this set. Trainer cards do not see the significant monetary value that Pokémon do, but they have the same popularity. Collectors will want these cards for their sets, and the fact they are considered Special Illustration Rares increases that. This fact may increase their monetary value above other trainer cards, but that still remains to be seen.
Two final cards to look for are the Paradox Pokémon Great Tusk and Iron Treads. Scarlet and Violet's new paradox Pokémon are some of the most popular from Gen 9, and the two trailer reveals are no exception. Both cards, along with Iron Treads being an ex, showcase the Pokémon in their Titan form roaming the desert they call home. Competitively it will be another wait-and-see as the cards could hold usage or be completely useless. Both cards are also Special Illustration Rares, and since they are not trainer cards, their value as collectibles will likely be high.
All of these cards are beautiful additions to the card game, and collectors and players will enjoy the hunt for them. The change from Rainbow Rares to these Illustration Rares allows for much more creativity in cards but also much more appeal. However, it is tough to predict which cards will hold the most value in the respective scenes. For now, these are all the new Illustration Rare cards coming to the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
Source: PokeBeach/Twitter