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Booster pack (TCG): Difference between revisions

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[[File:PL4 Booster Salamence.jpg|180px|right|thumb|{{p|Salamence}} Booster pack from the {{TCG|Platinum: Arceus|Arceus}} expansion]]
[[File:SV3 Booster Charizard.png|180px|right|thumb|{{p|Charizard}} booster pack from the {{TCG|Obsidian Flames}} expansion]]
'''Booster packs''' are packs of 9 to 11 cards in the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]]. Boosters offer the chance to acquire stronger cards to strengthen a [[Theme Deck]], create new decks of cards or customize old ones. Packs contain common ({{rar|Common}}), uncommon ({{rar|Uncommon}}) and rare ({{rar|Rare}}) cards, and occasionally "super rare" cards such as {{TCG|Pokémon-ex}}, {{TCG|Pokémon Star}}, {{TCG|Shining Pokémon}}, {{TCG|Pokémon LV.X}} or {{TCG|Pokémon LEGEND}}.
'''Booster packs''' are typically packs of 10 cards from an [[List of Pokémon Trading Card Game expansions|expansion]] in the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]].


:''Note:For a distinction between common, uncommon and rare cards see the [[Rarity]] article.''
==Terminology==
In official media, this is consistently written as "'''booster pack'''" in lowercase. For instance, in the TCG manual [https://assets.pokemon.com//assets/cms2/pdf/trading-card-game/rulebook/mew_rulebook_en.pdf released in 2023]:
* ''"Once you’re ready, you can start building your collection of cards with Pokémon TCG '''booster packs'''."'' (page 3)


Booster packs have contained varying amounts of cards over the years. From the first Base Set expansion through to Neo Destiny, packs contained 11 cards. Beginning with the e-Card Series and continuing through the entirety of the EX Series, packs had only 9 cards. On the release of the first {{TCG|Diamond & Pearl}} era expansion, the pack size was increased to 10.
As an exception from early official media, this was written in title case as "'''Booster Pack'''" in the manual of {{vg|Pokémon Trading Card Game}} for [[Game Boy Color]]:
* ''"When you win a {{TCG GB|duel}}, you will receive a '''Booster Pack'''. Each '''Booster Pack''' contains 10 cards, and the cards available in the different '''Booster Packs''' will vary."'' (page 25)


Every Booster pack is guaranteed to contain at least one [[Rarity|rare]] card, with generally three uncommon cards and the remainder being common. However, the rare card can have a rarity of rare (★), [[Holofoil]] rare, or be a "super rare" card mentioned above, such as a {{TCG|Pokémon-ex}}. Since the release of the {{TCG|Legendary Collection}} set, one '''reverse foil''' print of a common, uncommon or rare card has also been included in every pack. A reverse foil card is identical to its normal counterpart aside from a Holofoil effect in the picture or card background. Reverse foil cards in the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game#Sets|EX Series]] also contain a stamp of the set logo in the bottom right corner of the picture. The inclusion of reverse-Holofoil rare and Holofoil rare cards created the potential that one pack may contain two rare cards.
==Overview==
Boosters offer the chance to acquire cards to strengthen [[Theme Deck]]s, create {{DL|Deck|Constructed Deck|new decks}}, or customize old ones. Boosters contain cards that vary by [[Rarity]] level, representing how likely or unlikely the card may be found in a booster. These Rarity levels include Common ({{rar|Common}}), Uncommon ({{rar|Uncommon}}), and Rare ({{rar|Rare}}) cards, as well as occasionally ''"ultra rare"'' cards such as {{TCG|Pokémon V|Pokémon}} {{TCGV}} and {{TCG|Pokémon ex|Pokémon}} {{ex}}.


==Pokémon Trading Card Game Online==
:''For a full description of Common ({{rar|Common}}), Uncommon ({{rar|Uncommon}}), and Rare ({{rar|Rare}}) cards see the [[Rarity]] article.''
Digital copies of physical Booster packs [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]] can be redeemed using unique {{DL|Pokémon Trading Card Game Online|Redemption codes}}. They can only be found on specially marked packs with the working "Contains 1 code card" on the back of the Booster packs.  Digital Booster packs are also used as an award through several different features of the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online.  Finally, special 5-card Booster packs are uniquely available within the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. They contain 3 common ({{rar|Common}}), 1 uncommon ({{rar|Uncommon}}), and 1 rare ({{rar|Rare}}) cards from a given [[List of Pokémon Trading Card Game expansions|expansion]]. They may be purchases for 95 [[Trainer Token]]s in the {{DL|Pokémon Trading Card Game Online|Shop|in-game Shop}}.


Booster packs have contained varying amounts of cards over the years. From the first {{TCG|Base Set}} through to {{TCG|Neo Destiny}} expansion, boosters contained 11 cards. Beginning with the {{TCG|Expedition Base Set|e-Card Series}} and continuing through the entirety of the {{TCG|EX Power Keepers|EX Series}}, boosters had only 9 cards. Since the release of the first {{TCG|Diamond & Pearl}} [[List of Pokémon Trading Card Game expansions|expansion]], booster size was increased to 10.
Starting in {{TCG|Sun & Moon}}, boosters additionally contain one {{TCG|Basic Energy card}}. Between {{TCG|Brilliant Stars}} and {{TCG|Crown Zenith}}, a booster pack has a chance of having a VSTAR {{TCG|marker}} instead of a Basic Energy card.
==Pull ratio==
Every booster pack is guaranteed to contain at least 1 {{DL|Rarity|Rare}} ({{rar|Rare}}) card, generally 3 {{DL|Rarity|Uncommon}} ({{rar|Uncommon}}) cards, and the remainder are {{DL|Rarity|Common}} ({{rar|Common}}). However, the Rare card(s) may have a rarity of Rare (★), [[Holofoil]] rare, or be a ''"super rare"'' card mentioned above, such as a {{TCG|Pokémon-ex}}. Since the release of the {{TCG|Legendary Collection}} expansion, one '''Reverse-Holo''' (also known as ''Reverse foil'') print of a Common, Uncommon, or Rare card has also been included in every booster. A Reverse-Holo card is identical to its normal counterpart, aside from a Holofoil effect in the picture or card background. Reverse-Holo cards in the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game#Sets|EX Series]] also contain a stamp of the [[List of Pokémon Trading Card Game expansions|expansion]] logo in the bottom right corner of the picture. The inclusion of Reverse-Holo rare and Holofoil rare cards created the potential that one booster may contain two rare cards.
Starting in {{TCG|Scarlet & Violet}}, a booster pack contains the cards as specified in the table below. Starting in this expansion, if a Rare card is in a booster pack, it will always be a Holofoil card.
{| class="roundtable" style="background-color:#{{Scarlet color}};border:3px solid #{{Violet color dark}}"
! Quantity
! Rarity
|-
| 4 || {{rar|Common}} Common
|-
| 3 || {{rar|Uncommon}} Uncommon
|-
| rowspan=4 | 1
| Reverse Holo
|-
| {{rar|Shiny Rare}} Shiny Rare ({{tcg|Paldean Fates}} only)
|-
| {{rar|Shiny Ultra Rare}} Shiny Ultra Rare (Paldean Fates only)
|-
| {{rar|ACE SPEC Rare}} ''ACE SPEC Rare'' ({{tcg|Temporal Forces}} onward)
|-
| rowspan=4 | 1
| Reverse Holo
|-
| {{rar|Illustration Rare}} Illustration Rare
|-
| {{rar|Special Illustration Rare}} Special Illustration Rare
|-
| {{rar|Hyper Rare}} Hyper Rare
|-
| rowspan=3 | 1
| {{rar|Rare}} Rare
|-
| {{rar|Double Rare}} Double Rare
|-
| {{rar|Ultra Rare}} Ultra Rare
|-
| 1 || {{TCG|Basic Energy card}}
|-
| 1 || [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Live]] code card
|}
==Code cards==
Certain specially-marked physical Pokémon Trading Card Game products will come with a [[code card]] that can be used to redeem virtual cards or other virtual products for the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]] (TCGO) and [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Live]] (TCGL). Code cards are available in booster packs and other products that state that they contain a code card or contain the TCGO or TCGL symbol on the packaging.
Each code card has a unique 11-digit alphanumeric code and an equivalent [[QR Code]] that can be redeemed on the official Pokémon website Pokémon.com or in-game. Each card can only be redeemed once. The codes found in booster packs will generate a set of virtual cards that is different from the physical cards that were inside the pack.
{{TCGMerchNav|*}}
{{-}}
{{Project TCG notice}}
{{Project TCG notice}}
[[Category:Pokémon Trading Card Game merchandise]]


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Latest revision as of 22:31, 23 March 2024

Charizard booster pack from the Obsidian Flames expansion

Booster packs are typically packs of 10 cards from an expansion in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Terminology

In official media, this is consistently written as "booster pack" in lowercase. For instance, in the TCG manual released in 2023:

  • "Once you’re ready, you can start building your collection of cards with Pokémon TCG booster packs." (page 3)

As an exception from early official media, this was written in title case as "Booster Pack" in the manual of Pokémon Trading Card Game for Game Boy Color:

  • "When you win a duel, you will receive a Booster Pack. Each Booster Pack contains 10 cards, and the cards available in the different Booster Packs will vary." (page 25)

Overview

Boosters offer the chance to acquire cards to strengthen Theme Decks, create new decks, or customize old ones. Boosters contain cards that vary by Rarity level, representing how likely or unlikely the card may be found in a booster. These Rarity levels include Common (Common), Uncommon (Uncommon), and Rare (Rare) cards, as well as occasionally "ultra rare" cards such as Pokémon V and Pokémon ex.

For a full description of Common (Common), Uncommon (Uncommon), and Rare (Rare) cards see the Rarity article.

Booster packs have contained varying amounts of cards over the years. From the first Base Set through to Neo Destiny expansion, boosters contained 11 cards. Beginning with the e-Card Series and continuing through the entirety of the EX Series, boosters had only 9 cards. Since the release of the first Diamond & Pearl expansion, booster size was increased to 10. Starting in Sun & Moon, boosters additionally contain one Basic Energy card. Between Brilliant Stars and Crown Zenith, a booster pack has a chance of having a VSTAR marker instead of a Basic Energy card.

Pull ratio

Every booster pack is guaranteed to contain at least 1 Rare (Rare) card, generally 3 Uncommon (Uncommon) cards, and the remainder are Common (Common). However, the Rare card(s) may have a rarity of Rare (★), Holofoil rare, or be a "super rare" card mentioned above, such as a Pokémon-ex. Since the release of the Legendary Collection expansion, one Reverse-Holo (also known as Reverse foil) print of a Common, Uncommon, or Rare card has also been included in every booster. A Reverse-Holo card is identical to its normal counterpart, aside from a Holofoil effect in the picture or card background. Reverse-Holo cards in the EX Series also contain a stamp of the expansion logo in the bottom right corner of the picture. The inclusion of Reverse-Holo rare and Holofoil rare cards created the potential that one booster may contain two rare cards.

Starting in Scarlet & Violet, a booster pack contains the cards as specified in the table below. Starting in this expansion, if a Rare card is in a booster pack, it will always be a Holofoil card.

Quantity Rarity
4 Common Common
3 Uncommon Uncommon
1 Reverse Holo
Shiny Rare Shiny Rare (Paldean Fates only)
Shiny Ultra Rare Shiny Ultra Rare (Paldean Fates only)
ACE SPEC Rare ACE SPEC Rare (Temporal Forces onward)
1 Reverse Holo
Illustration Rare Illustration Rare
Special Illustration Rare Special Illustration Rare
Hyper Rare Hyper Rare
1 Rare Rare
Double Rare Double Rare
Ultra Rare Ultra Rare
1 Basic Energy card
1 Pokémon Trading Card Game Live code card

Code cards

Certain specially-marked physical Pokémon Trading Card Game products will come with a code card that can be used to redeem virtual cards or other virtual products for the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online (TCGO) and Pokémon Trading Card Game Live (TCGL). Code cards are available in booster packs and other products that state that they contain a code card or contain the TCGO or TCGL symbol on the packaging.

Each code card has a unique 11-digit alphanumeric code and an equivalent QR Code that can be redeemed on the official Pokémon website Pokémon.com or in-game. Each card can only be redeemed once. The codes found in booster packs will generate a set of virtual cards that is different from the physical cards that were inside the pack.


Pokémon Trading Card Game merchandise
See also:
Booster pack
Theme Deck
Half Deck



Project TCG logo.png This article is part of Project TCG, a Bulbapedia project that aims to report on every aspect of the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
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