As the harbinger of all sets featuring Gen 9 Pokemon, Pokemon TCG: Scarlet and Violet Base Set added a number of unique features that are still applied to newer expansions today.
An example of changes introduced in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is the new card design. From the conventional yellow borders, all sorts of Pokemon cards are now printed in gray borders.
The set symbol has also been omitted, as they are replaced with expansion codes consisting of letters and numbers.
With such a new way to identify the set of a card, it’s now easier to organize a Pokemon card collection by knowing the expansion code of newer sets instead of second-guessing multiple symbols.
Find out what this expansion offers by looking at our definitive Pokemon Scarlet and Violet card list.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Base Set: Expansion Bio
Release Date
January 20, 2023 (JP) and March 31, 2023 (US)
Regulation Marks
G
Regulation Status
Legal (as of 2024)
Expansion Code
Number of Cards
258 (198 cards from the main set + 60 secret rare cards)
Is your card legal for competitive play? Read everything about the current Pokemon TCG format rotation first.
Apart from the new card design, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Base Set also offered the following features:
New Pokemon ex cards. Pokemon ex makes their return to the franchise, with a new ex symbol to make them look more distinguished from former iterations of Pokemon ex.
Terastal Pokemon cards. Terastal phenomenon also enters the Pokemon TCG scene with Arcanine ex and Gyarados ex! These types of Pokemon have a new special ability that makes them more efficient in game: immunity from any damage as long as they’re on the Bench Spot.
New cards featuring Generation 9 Pokemon. Of course, this set will be most remembered by having the first printings of Paldea Pokemon!
Hyper Rare Cards. Ever dreamed of having gold Pokemon cards? There you go, a new rarity of full art secret cards with gold holo surfaces.
Most Anticipated Cards in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
For those who already purchased any products from the Scarlet and Violet Base Set, keep your eyes out for the following cards:
Gardevoir ex: This ex card has a promising mechanic that allows it to reuse all Psychic-type Energy cards from the discard pile.
Miraidon ex and Koraidon ex: The two mascot Pokemon will become the primary focus of this set, particularly the full-art versions of their ex cards.
Miriam: The adorable and cute academy nurse gained a massive fan base throughout the early days of the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet video games, so it’s no wonder people will look for Miriam cards as well.
