Rarity is one of the most useful pieces of information when organizing or shopping for Pokémon cards, but the terminology can become confusing because the Pokémon TCG has used different rarity systems across eras and regions.
Common, Uncommon and Rare
These form the familiar foundation of many Pokémon sets. The exact symbols and presentation depend on the era, so collectors should always identify the specific set when evaluating a card.
Holo Rare
Holo Rare generally describes rare cards featuring holographic treatment. Older and modern releases can apply foil differently, making the set and printing important.
Ultra Rare
Ultra Rare is used for higher-rarity cards in various Pokémon releases. Depending on the set, these can include cards with expanded artwork or distinctive foil and texture treatments.
Illustration Rare
Illustration Rares, commonly abbreviated IR, emphasize scene-based artwork that extends across much of the card. They have become popular targets for artwork-focused collections.
Special Illustration Rare
Special Illustration Rare, or SIR, is a separate high-rarity category featuring elaborate full-card illustrations. Pull rates and exact rarity structures vary by product and set.
Hyper Rare and other rarities
Hyper Rare, ACE SPEC Rare, promotional cards, and set-specific rarities can also appear in a collection. Japanese and English releases do not always use identical rarity terminology, so the safest approach is to reference the checklist for the exact release.
Use rarity filters when shopping
Stratlock Collectibles organizes cards by set and rarity to make it easier to narrow a search instead of scrolling through an entire inventory.