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Unveiling the Holo Hype: A Deep Dive into Scarlet & Violet Pokémon Cards

No, not every card in the Scarlet & Violet series is holographic. While every booster pack guarantees a holo card and two reverse holo cards, the majority of cards remain non-holo. The holo cards are typically the Rare cards and above, and the reverse holo treatment can appear on Common, Uncommon, and Rare cards. This mix ensures a thrilling opening experience while maintaining a tiered system of rarity and collectibility.

Decoding the Holo Landscape of Scarlet & Violet

The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) has always been about more than just battling; it’s a world of collecting, trading, and appreciating the artistry of these pocket monsters. With each new series, changes are introduced to the card design, rarity structure, and overall pack opening experience. Scarlet & Violet marked a significant shift with the introduction of guaranteed holos in every pack. However, this doesn’t mean every single card shines. Let’s break down the specifics:

Commons and Uncommons: These form the bulk of a booster pack and are usually non-holo. However, they can appear as reverse holos, where the foil pattern is on the card’s background instead of the artwork.
Rares: In the Scarlet & Violet series, all Rare cards are holographic. This means that if you pull a card with a black star rarity symbol, it will have a foil treatment on the artwork. This was a major change, as previously, there was a distinction between regular Rares and Holo Rares.
Double Rares & EX cards: Introduced in this generation, Double Rares and ex cards, are nearly always holographic and textured, making them highly sought after.
Ultra Rares, Illustration Rares, Special Illustration Rares, and Secret Rares: These are the chase cards of the set and are almost always holographic with unique textures and artwork that extends beyond the card’s frame.
Reverse Holos: Any card of Common, Uncommon, or Rare rarity can appear as a reverse holo. This adds another layer of collectibility, as even a basic energy card can have a shimmering foil pattern.

The Allure of Holos: Why They Matter

The holographic treatment adds value to a card in several ways:

Aesthetic Appeal: Holo cards are simply more visually striking and appealing to collectors. The shimmering foil catches the light and enhances the artwork.
Rarity Indication: The presence of a holo often signifies a higher rarity, making these cards more valuable.
Collectibility: Many collectors specifically seek out holo versions of their favorite Pokémon, adding to the demand and value.
Investment Potential: Rare holo cards, especially those featuring popular Pokémon or unique artwork, can appreciate in value over time, making them a potentially lucrative investment.

Understanding the New Gray Borders

Another significant change introduced in the Scarlet & Violet series is the shift from yellow borders to gray borders. This change, mirroring the Japanese TCG, serves a few key purposes:

Aesthetic Consistency: The gray borders offer a more modern and streamlined look.
Enhanced Foil Visibility: The gray border allows more of the holographic foil to be visible, particularly on the edges of the card, enhancing its visual appeal.
Alignment with International Standards: The gray border brings the English-language Pokémon TCG in line with the Japanese version, creating a more unified global standard.

Delving into Pull Rates: Your Odds of Getting Holos

While every Scarlet & Violet pack guarantees a holo and two reverse holos, the specific types of holos you pull will vary. Understanding the pull rates can help manage expectations and add to the excitement of opening packs.

Common/Uncommon Reverse Holo: High probability. Expect to see these frequently.
Rare Holo: Guaranteed in every pack.
Ultra Rare or better: Around 30% chance per pack of pulling cards such as Double Rares, EX cards, Illustration Rares, Special Illustration Rares, Full Arts, and Hyper Rares.
Special Illustration Rare Charizard ex: Exceptionally rare. Pull rates are estimated to be around 0.44% per pack.

These rates fluctuate slightly between sets, but generally, the Scarlet & Violet series offers relatively good pull rates for valuable cards.

The Impact on Card Values

The shift to guaranteed holos and the introduction of new rarity tiers has had a noticeable impact on card values. Here’s what you need to know:

Increased Supply: The increased number of holos in circulation has, in some cases, lowered the value of common holo rares.
Demand for Specific Cards: However, the demand for specific, highly sought-after cards, such as Special Illustration Rares featuring Charizard or other popular Pokémon, remains incredibly high, driving up their prices.
Long-Term Investment: While the initial supply of Scarlet & Violet cards is high, the value of rare and well-preserved cards is expected to increase over time as the sets become less available.

Understanding these factors can help you make informed decisions about which cards to collect and potentially invest in.

How to Spot a Holo: A Quick Guide

Not sure if a card is holo? Here’s how to tell:

Look for the Shine: Holo cards have a distinct shimmering or reflective surface, either on the artwork or the card’s background.
Check the Rarity Symbol: Rare cards (indicated by a black star) in Scarlet & Violet are always holo.
Inspect for Foil Patterns: Reverse holos have a foil pattern covering the entire card except for the artwork.
Consider the Card Type: Ultra Rare and Secret Rare cards will also have unique textures in addition to their holographic foiling.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are there non-holo Rare cards in Scarlet & Violet?

No, all Rare cards in the Scarlet & Violet series are holographic. This is a key difference from previous sets.

2. What does Reverse Holo mean?

Reverse Holo refers to a card where the holographic foil pattern is applied to the non-artwork portion of the card.

3. Can Common and Uncommon cards be holographic?

Yes, Common and Uncommon cards can appear as Reverse Holos.

4. How many holo cards are guaranteed in a Scarlet & Violet booster pack?

Each Scarlet & Violet booster pack guarantees one holo card and two reverse holo cards.

5. Are Scarlet & Violet cards worth more because of the guaranteed holos?

Not necessarily. The increased supply of holos can lower the value of some cards, but the rarity of others, such as Illustration Rares, keeps their value high.

6. Why did Pokémon change the card borders to gray in Scarlet & Violet?

The gray borders offer a more modern aesthetic, enhance foil visibility, and align the English-language cards with the Japanese standard.

7. What are the odds of pulling a specific Secret Rare in Scarlet & Violet?

The odds vary, but generally, pulling a specific Secret Rare is quite low, often less than 1% per pack. For example, The odds of pulling Special Illustration Rare Charizard ex in any given pack of Scarlet & Violet—151 are less than half a percent (0.44%).

8. What is a god pack in Pokemon?

God packs are extremely rare booster packs with the complete card selection of the highest tier of chase cards from a set.

9. Do all 151 packs have a holo?

Scarlet & Violet – 151 will feature holo Basic Energy! These are available in the Basic Energy slot of a booster pack. They appear roughly in one out of three packs.

10. Are Scarlet & Violet pull rates good?

Overall, the changes in Scarlet & Violet have had neutral-to-positive effects on pull rates. On the neutral side of things, your odds of opening a Double Rare or better in any Scarlet & Violet pack are around 30%—on par with your 31% chance of hitting an Ultra Rare, Trainer Gallery, or Secret Rare in Silver Tempest.

11. What does RR mean in Pokémon?

RR – Double Rare is the most common rarity for ex cards.

12. Are non holo rares worth anything?

While holos are often linked to valuable Pokémon cards, not all rare cards have to be holos. Some non-holo cards can fetch high prices if they have a 1st edition stamp, indicating they were part of a Pokemon’s initial print run.

13. How many 1999 holographic Charizards are there?

The 1999 1st Edition Holographic Charizard card is recognized as the “holy grail” of the entire Pokémon trading card game, and seen as one of the most iconic non-sports cards. The first edition set was released in limited quantity with 102 cards total, 16 of them being the rarer, coveted holographic cards.

14. How rare is it to pull a god pack in Pokemon?

Odds of pulling a god pack are like ~1/700.

15. What is the rarest Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet?

Pokemon Scarlet And Violet: 8 Rarest Pokemon are Blaze/Aqua Breed Tauros, Sprigatito/Fuecoco/Quaxly, Roaring Moon/Iron Valiant, Gholdengo, Family Of 3 Maushold/3 Segment Dudunsparce, Antique Sinistea/Polteageist and Walking Wake/Iron Leaves.

The Future of Holos: What’s Next?

The guaranteed holo and reverse holo system in Scarlet & Violet has been well-received by many collectors, enhancing the thrill of opening packs. It remains to be seen how The Pokémon Company will continue to innovate in future sets, but it’s clear that holos will remain a central part of the Pokémon TCG experience. The world of Pokémon is always evolving, and it’s exciting to anticipate what new holographic wonders await us in future expansions. To learn more about gaming and education, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Does every card in Scarlet and Violet have a holo?