For anyone diving into the world of Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), understanding card rarity symbols is essential. These symbols provide a quick way to determine a card's rarity and, often, its value. Whether you're a player building your deck or a collector hunting for treasures, knowing what these symbols mean can elevate your Pokémon TCG experience.

Here’s a complete guide to Pokémon card rarity symbols and how they work.

What Are Pokémon Card Rarity Symbols?

Rarity symbols are small icons printed on the bottom right corner of most Pokémon cards, next to the card number. They indicate how common or rare a card is within its set. The rarity often correlates with the likelihood of pulling that card from a booster pack.

Common Pokémon Card Rarity Symbols

1. Circle (●) – Common

  • What it means: Common cards are the easiest to find in booster packs. These cards often feature basic Pokémon with straightforward moves and lower HP.
  • Examples: Cards like Caterpie, Pidgey, or Rattata frequently appear as commons.
  • How to spot: Look for a black circle near the card number.

2. Diamond (◆) – Uncommon

  • What it means: Uncommon cards are slightly harder to find than commons. They often include evolved Pokémon, stronger attacks, or Trainer cards with enhanced effects.
  • Examples: Pokémon like Kadabra, Dragonair, or Trainer cards like Energy Retrieval.
  • How to spot: Look for a black diamond near the card number.

3. Star (★) – Rare

  • What it means: Rare cards are much less common in booster packs and usually feature powerful Pokémon or unique abilities. They often serve as the backbone of competitive decks.
  • Examples: Pokémon like Blastoise, Charizard, or Gardevoir.
  • How to spot: Look for a black star near the card number.

Special Pokémon Card Rarity Symbols

4. Star with Holofoil – Holo Rare

  • What it means: Holo Rare Pokemon TCG Pocket cards are a subset of rare cards with a holographic background on the artwork, making them more visually striking and desirable.
  • Examples: Cards like Holofoil Machamp or Holofoil Mewtwo.
  • How to spot: Look for the star symbol with a shimmering, reflective background on the card art.

5. Two Stars (★★) – Ultra Rare

  • What it means: Ultra Rare cards are highly coveted and often include Pokémon EX, GX, V, VMAX, or VSTAR cards. These cards have unique mechanics and powerful abilities.
  • Examples: Charizard VMAX or Pikachu EX.
  • How to spot: The card art often extends to the edges, with shiny or textured finishes.

6. Three Stars (★★★) – Secret Rare

  • What it means: Secret Rare cards are among the hardest to find and are numbered higher than the official set count (e.g., 151/150). They often feature stunning artwork, including alternate art, gold, or rainbow foil designs.
  • Examples: Gold Zacian V or Rainbow Charizard GX.
  • How to spot: Look for a numbering anomaly, like 153/150, and premium finishes.

Promo and Special Rarity Cards

7. Promo (Black Star Promo)

  • What it means: Promo cards are released outside regular booster sets and are often distributed at events, through special packs, or as part of promotions.
  • Examples: Pikachu on the Ball or Mewtwo V (League promos).
  • How to spot: A black star with the word "PROMO" replaces the rarity symbol.

8. Shiny Pokémon Cards

  • What it means: Shiny cards depict Pokémon in their alternate (shiny) colors and are highly collectible. These are often included in special sets like Shining Fates.
  • Examples: Shiny Charizard GX, Shiny Umbreon.
  • How to spot: Unique artwork with shiny colors and a star rarity symbol.

9. Radiant Rare

  • What it means: Radiant cards are unique versions of Pokémon that allow only one copy per deck, featuring powerful abilities and stunning designs.
  • Examples: Radiant Greninja.
  • How to spot: A shimmering, radiant pattern with a star rarity.

Energy and Trainer Cards

  • Energy Cards: Basic Energy cards do not have rarity symbols as they are foundational to the game. Special Energy cards, however, often have rarity indicators like diamonds or stars.
  • Trainer Cards: Like Pokémon, Trainers can be common, uncommon, or rare. Ultra Rare Trainers often appear as Full Art cards.

How to Use Rarity Symbols

  1. In Collecting: Higher rarity usually means greater value and desirability, especially for cards in mint condition.
  2. In Gameplay: Rarer cards often feature stronger abilities or synergy, making them valuable in competitive decks.
  3. In Trading: Understanding rarity symbols helps you negotiate trades more effectively and recognize the worth of your cards.