The classic rarity symbol
Bottom-right of most cards is a small symbol: a circle (Common), a diamond (Uncommon) or a star (Rare). A black star with a holo-foil artwork is a “Holo Rare”. The same star on a card where only the border/pattern is foil is a “Reverse Holo” — almost every card in a modern set has a reverse-holo version.
The modern (Scarlet & Violet) ladder
| Rarity | Symbol | Roughly how often |
|---|---|---|
| Common | ● | Multiple per pack |
| Uncommon | ◆ | ~3 per pack |
| Rare | ★ | 1 per pack (non-holo slot) |
| Double Rare (ex) | ★★ | ~1 in 5 packs |
| Ultra Rare (full-art ex / Trainer) | 2 silver stars | ~1 in 12 packs |
| Illustration Rare | 2 gold stars | ~1 in 12 packs |
| Special Illustration Rare | 3 gold stars | ~1 in 30–40 packs |
| Hyper Rare (gold) | 3 gold stars | ~1 in 80+ packs |
Pull rates vary by set and are estimates — PokeHive shows a modelled pack-odds figure on each card page, not official rates (no company publishes them).
Vintage terms you’ll see
- 11st EditionAn “Edition 1” stamp on the left of the artwork, used on early print runs. Base Set 1st Edition cards are the most valuable modern-era Pokémon collectibles.
- 2ShadowlessA Base Set printing between 1st Edition and the common “Unlimited” run, with no drop-shadow to the right of the artwork box. Scarcer than Unlimited.
- 3Promo (black star)A black star with the word PROMO — distributed outside normal packs (events, tins, boxes). Numbering runs separately (e.g. SVP 001).