In thePokemon TCG, there are many rarity levels, which can be challenging for newcomers to distinguish. However, there are specific rarity symbols to help identify them, and each level has its own unique characteristics. One of these rarity levels is the Special Illustration Rare cards.

These cards stand out due to their stunning and captivating artwork, which not only makes some of them highly valuable but also offers a fresh perspective on Pokémon in their natural habitats. This guide will explain what Special Illustration Rare cards are, highlight their differences, and provide a table listing over 100 of these cards.

Great Tusk ex card from Scarlet & Violex set in Pokemon TCG.

Special Illustration Rare Cards, Explained

Cards with the Special Illustration Rare rarity were introduced with the Scarlet & Violet expansion. These cards are exclusive to non-Asian regions. What makes them truly special is thatthey are Full Art cards, and beyond that, they are also considered Secret Rares.

Keep in mind that every card has a collector number, usually located in the bottom-left or bottom-right corner. Each set has a defined number of cards, and Secret Rares have numbers that go beyond the set total. For example, in a 90-card set, anything numbered 91 or higher is classified as a Secret Rare.

Pidgeot ex card from the Obsidian Flames set in Pokemon TCG.

These Full Art cards often depict Pokemon in their natural environments. In addition, they typicallyfeature an additional layer of glitter foil.Some of them are alternate art versions of Pokemon ex, and there are also Special Illustration Rare versions of Supporter Trainer cards. However, Item, Tool, and Stadium cards do not come in this rarity.

You can identify a Special Illustration Rare card by thedouble gold star icon found at the bottom of the card.This symbol features two gold stars, with the one on the left slightly higher than the one on the right.

Team Rocket’s Moltres ex card in Pokemon TCG.

Differences Of Special Illustration Rare Compared To Other Rarities

In Japanese sets, Special Illustration Rare cards do not have the double gold star icon. Instead,they are marked with the SAR symbol.In one of the Japanese sets, VSTAR Universe, Special Art Rare cards were introduced. However, this rarity type does not fully align with Special Illustration Rare and is not the same as them.

Officially, Special Art Rare cards from Sword & Shield series called Galarian Gallery Ultra Rares, and they feature eithera white star or the GGU label as their rarity symbol.

Dusknoir card from the Brilliant Stars set in Pokemon TCG.

Trainer Gallery cards from the Brilliant Stars expansion are also sometimes confused with Special Illustration Rares. As the name suggests,Trainer Gallery cards usually feature trainers,while Special Illustration Rares generally do not. Trainer Gallery cards also have a white star as their rarity symbol, instead of a double star.

It’s also important not to confuse Illustration Rare cards with Special Illustration Rare cards.Illustration Rares have a single gold star as their rarity, and their Japanese equivalent is Art Rare, marked with the AR symbol. Like Special Illustration Rares, these cards also feature alternate full-art Pokemon and are considered Secret Rares.

Three different rarity of the same Pecharunt ex cards in Pokemon TCG.

Special Illustration Rare cardsalways have Double Rare and Ultra Rare versionsof the same Pokémon in the same set. Illustration Rare cards, however, do not have additional alternate arts in the same set.

Additionally, don’t confuse Special Illustration Rare cards with Hyper Rare cards. Hyper Rares are even rarer and feature a three-star icon instead of the two gold stars found on Special Illustration Rares. Moreover, Hyper Rare cards include not only Pokemon but also Energy, Special Energy, Item, Tool and Stadium.

Boss’s Orders card from the Paldea Evolved set in Pokemon TCG.

However, unlike Special Illustration Rare cards, Hyper Rares do not feature any supporter cards.

All Special Illustration Rare Cards

Below is a table listing all Special Illustration Rare card names:

Spidops ex

243/198

Miraidon ex

244/198

Gardevoir ex

245/198

246/198

Koraidon ex

247/198

248/198

249/198

250/198

251/198

252/198

Meowscarada ex

256/193

Wo-Chien ex

257/193

Skeleridge ex

258/193

Chi-Yu ex

259/193

Quaquaval ex

260/193

Chien-Pao ex

261/193

Tinkaton ex

262/193

Ting-Lu ex

263/193

264/193

265/193

266/193

267/193

268/193

269/193

270/193

151

Venusaur ex

198/165

Charizard ex

199/165

Blastoise ex

200/165

Alakazam ex

201/165

Zapdos ex

202/165

203/165

204/165

Eiscue ex

222/197

223/197

Revavroom ex

224/197

Pidgeot ex

225/197

226/197

227/197

Garchomp ex

245/182

Golisopod ex

246/182

247/182

248/182

249/182

250/182

251/182

Gholdengo ex

252/182

Altaria ex

253/182

254/182

255/182

256/182

257/182

258/182

259/182

Mew ex

232/091

233/091

234/091

235/091

236/091

237/091

238/091

239/091

203/162

204/162

205/162

206/162

207/162

208/162

209/162

210/162

211/162

212/162

Sinistcha ex

210/167

216/167

211/167

212/167

213/167

Greninja ex

214/167

215/167

217/167

218/167

219/167

220/167

Okidogi ex

090/064

Munkidori ex

091/064

Fezandipiti ex

092/064

Pecharunt ex

093/064

094/064

Hydrapple ex

167/142

Dachsbun ex

169/142

Galvantula ex

168/142

Terapagos ex

170/142

171/142

172/142

Durant ex

236/191

Milotic ex

237/191

Pikachu ex

238/191

Latias ex

239/191

Hydreigon ex

240/191

Archaludon ex

241/191

242/191

243/191

244/191

245/191

246/191

Palafin ex

151/131

154/131

Espeon ex

155/131

Umbreon ex

161/131

164/131

Dragapult ex

165/131

168/131

Volcanion ex

182/159

183/159

184/159

185/159

186/159

187/159

053

124

Kingdra ex

131

132