Illustration Rares
Introduced in Scarlet & Violet, Illustration Rares feature panoramic artwork that extends across the entire card face. They replaced rainbow rares as the new mid-tier chase cards and have become instant collector favorites.
What Is It?
Illustration Rare (IR) is a rarity tier introduced in the Scarlet & Violet era (2023-present). These cards feature extended, immersive artwork that fills the entire card face — often depicting the Pokemon in a natural or story-driven scene rather than the standard battle pose. Illustration Rares sit above regular holos and standard ultra rares but below Special Art Rares in the rarity hierarchy. They replaced Rainbow Rares from previous eras as the new collector-focused tier.
How to Identify
Illustration Rares have artwork that extends to the card edges with no standard border framing. The illustration typically shows the Pokemon in an environmental scene rather than an isolated pose. They carry a star rarity symbol and are numbered within the secret rare portion of the set (beyond the main set count). The card texture features a subtle embossed pattern you can feel when running your finger across it. Look for the "IR" designation in set checklists.
Value Range
Illustration Rares typically sell for $3-20 depending on the featured Pokemon. Popular choices like Charizard, Pikachu, and Eeveelutions command $15-50+. Less popular Pokemon settle at $3-8. As the Scarlet & Violet era continues, early-set IRs from SV base set and Paldea Evolved are beginning to appreciate as supply tightens.
Scan with Pokex
Pokex distinguishes Illustration Rares from standard art versions and Special Art Rares of the same Pokemon — cards that look similar but differ significantly in value. The scanner reads the exact set number and card texture to identify the precise variant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1 What is an Illustration Rare in Pokemon?
An Illustration Rare is a card rarity introduced in Scarlet & Violet that features extended panoramic artwork filling the entire card. They sit above holo rares and standard ultra rares in the rarity hierarchy.
Q2 How rare are Illustration Rares?
Illustration Rares appear roughly once per 5-8 booster packs, making them less common than standard ultra rares but more common than Special Art Rares. A booster box typically contains 3-5 Illustration Rares.
Q3 Are Illustration Rares worth collecting?
Absolutely. Illustration Rares feature some of the most beautiful artwork in the modern TCG, and their unique panoramic style makes them stand out in any collection. Popular Pokemon IRs appreciate steadily over time.
Q4 What replaced Rainbow Rares in Scarlet & Violet?
Illustration Rares and Special Art Rares replaced Rainbow Rares starting with the Scarlet & Violet base set in 2023. The new tiers focus on artistic quality rather than the prismatic foil effect.
Related Rarity Tiers
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