Have you ever heard the term “Parallel set” in the latest Pokemon TCG expansions?
In case you don’t know anything about what a Parallel set is, we’re here to enlighten you and improve your Pokemon TCG vocabulary.
Parallel sets in Pokemon TCG mostly exist in many of the modern sets released today. As of writing this article, we currently have the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet era, and thanks to the Pokemon Company, cards belonging to a Parallel set became much more identifiable.
For many collectors, seasoned and beginners alike, understanding simple jargon like a Parallel set is the key to learn more about the diversity of Pokemon cards.
Remember, many people aren’t familiar with the rules of Pokemon TCG. Still, they might buy an ETB or two just because Pokemon cards are fun to collect.
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Everything About Parallel Sets in Modern Pokemon TCG Expansions
A Parallel set is one of the three subsets found in every Pokemon TCG expansion today.
You see, every time that you buy a product from a new set, you can expect that the cards that you can get are any from these three subsets:
- Standard set
- Standard foil set
- Parallel/Parallel foil set
The three subsets must not be confused with the rarities found in every Pokemon card, as it is a completely different system.
Instead, we can think of these subsets as a way to group the cards in a set based on the way they’re printed. Basically, how they look different from the others.
Standard Set
A Standard set is a set of cards within an expansion containing cards that are printed in the simplest way. In other words, they’re the non-holofoil cards that you get from products like booster packs.
Most Pokemon cards with rarities of Common and Uncommon fall into the Standard Set, as they are usually printed without any shiny layers, making them quite affordable and easier to collect.
Standard Foil Set
A holographic Pokemon card with shiny artwork is a part of an expansion’s Standard Foil set.
These cards are your regular Holos, and you can get around two of them in every Pokemon TCG booster pack.
Rare cards are likely to become Holos, but Common and Uncommon cards can be printed as Holos too.
Starting with the Scarlet and Violet Base set and onwards, you can identify a Holo from the Standard Foil set just by looking at the card’s expansion code printed on its left corner.
A Holo from this subset will have an expansion code consisting of a black-colored box. The text inside the box is written in white letters.
Parallel Set
Also known as Parallel Foil set, this set is exclusive only to Reverse Holo cards.
In one of our previous articles, we already covered everything you need to learn about this type of card. But if you’re a newbie, check out this content that explains what a Reverse Holo Pokemon card is.
The simplest way to check if a Holo card is a reverse variant is by looking at its illustration or artwork. If the artwork doesn’t shine like the rest of the card, it is a Reverse Holo card.
Additionally, if you compare the same Pokemon card in its Standard Holo and Reverse Holo versions, you’ll see that the Reverse Holo will have some elaborate patterns outside its artwork box, which are usually symbols related to a certain Pokemon type.
Reverse Holos from the Scarlet and Violet sets are even easier to recognize just by looking at their expansion codes.
If a Holo card has an expansion code of a white box with black text inside, that Holo card is definitely from an expansion’s Parallel set.
In a Nutshell
To put it simply, a Parallel set in Pokemon TCG is a subset containing Reverse Holo cards.
Each design of a Pokemon card can be printed as part of a Standard set, Standard foil set, or a Parallel set. This is why it’s possible to collect a Pokemon card in its plain copy, Holofoil copy, and Reverse Holo copy.
Keep in mind that full art cards aren’t part of these subsets; they’re way too valuable and are always printed as Holofoils. Think of them instead as a separate league of Secret Rares.
Of all the subsets, cards from the Parallel sets are often viewed as the rarest, since you are only guaranteed to pull at least one Reverse Holo from each booster pack.
Do you have any questions or anything to add about Parallel sets in Pokemon TCG? Feel free to hit the comments section below!
