Navigating the world of Pokémon TCG Pocket can be tricky, even for seasoned Pokémon Trading Card Game veterans. The game introduces a fresh digital format with a brand-new rarity system, making it easier for casual players to enjoy—but also leaving many long-time fans scratching their heads.
From diamond-tier commons to shiny ultra rares and golden crown cards, the rarity hierarchy in Pokémon TCG Pocket blends familiarity with innovation. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the rarity tiers, drop rates, shiny Pokémon, and how Pocket’s system compares to the traditional TCG.
How Rarity Works in Pokémon TCG Pocket
Pokémon TCG Pocket uses ten rarity tiers, each marked by a specific symbol shown under the illustrator’s name on the card. The four primary icons used are:
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Diamond (◆) – Common to rare
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Star (★) – Full-art and immersive
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Crown (👑) – Gold edition cards
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Rainbow Star (✸) – Shiny and ultra-shiny variants
Complete Rarity Breakdown
| Rarity Tier | Symbol | Description |
|---|---|---|
| One-diamond | ◆ | Basic Pokémon cards (lowest rarity) |
| Two-diamond | ◆◆ | Slightly stronger Basic or Stage 1 Pokémon |
| Three-diamond | ◆◆◆ | Rare Stage 1 or Stage 2 Pokémon |
| Four-diamond | ◆◆◆◆ | Powerful ex Pokémon |
| One-star | ★ | Full-art version of any stage Pokémon |
| Two-star | ★★ | Full-art of ex Pokémon |
| Three-star | ★★★ | Immersive variant of ex Pokémon |
| Crown | 👑 | Gold edition of rare ex Pokémon |
| One rainbow star | ✸ | Standard Shiny Pokémon with sparkling details |
| Two rainbow stars | ✸✸ | Shiny Ultra Rare – full-art shiny Pokémon |
✨ Tip: These rarity symbols are found bottom-left, below the illustrator’s name.
Shiny Cards in the Shining Revelry Update
With the Shining Revelry update (March 27, 2025), Pokémon TCG Pocket added Shiny and Ultra Shiny cards. These feature dazzling new art and are highly sought after.
What’s the Difference Between Shiny Tiers?
| Shiny Rarity | Symbol | Design |
|---|---|---|
| One-star Shiny | ✸ | Sparkly non-full-art variant of base card |
| Two-star Shiny | ✸✸ | Full-art shimmering illustration |
Both types appear as bonus variants and do not impact the base stats of the Pokémon—only the aesthetics and rarity.
List of Shiny Cards in Shining Revelry
⭐ One-Star Shiny
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Weedle
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Kakuna
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Charmander
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Charmeleon
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Wiglett
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Dondozo
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Pachirisu
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Riolu
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Varoom
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Revavroom
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Cyclizar (Promo-A 051)
⭐⭐ Two-Star Shiny
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Beedrill ex
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Charizard ex
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Wugtrio ex
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Lucario ex
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Mewtwo ex (Promo-A 050)
Pokémon TCG Pocket vs. Physical TCG: Rarity Comparison
Wondering how Pokémon TCG Pocket’s rarities match the real-life TCG?
| Pocket Rarity | Physical TCG Equivalent |
|---|---|
| One-diamond | Common |
| Two-diamond | Uncommon |
| Three-diamond | Rare |
| Four-diamond | Double Rare / Ultra Rare |
| One-star | Illustration Rare |
| Two-star | Special Illustration Rare |
| Three-star | Not applicable |
| Crown | Hyper Rare (Gold cards) |
| One rainbow star | Shiny Rare |
| Two rainbow star | Shiny Ultra Rare (Full-art shiny cards) |
⚠️ Note: Pocket removes the Circle symbol used in traditional cards and simplifies rarities overall.
Drop Rates per Booster Pack Slot
Every booster pack contains 5 cards, and the back-end slots (4 and 5) offer the best chances of rare cards.
| Rarity | Slots 1–3 | Slot 4 | Slot 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-diamond | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Two-diamond | 0% | 90% | 60% |
| Three-diamond | 0% | 5% | 20% |
| Four-diamond | 0% | 1.6% | 6.66% |
| One-star | 0% | 2.572% | 10.288% |
| Two-star | 0% | 0.5% | 2% |
| Three-star | 0% | 0.222% | 0.888% |
| Crown | 0% | 0.040% | 0.16% |
| One-star shiny | 0% | 0.714% | 2.857% |
| Two-star shiny | 0% | 0.333% | 1.333% |
📦 Rare Packs (God Packs) are extremely rare (0.050% drop rate) but guarantee at least one-star cards or higher.
How Much Are Cards Worth in Pokémon TCG Pocket?
Players earn Pack Points by opening booster packs (5 points per pack), which can be used to purchase cards directly. Here’s the real-life cost and effort needed per rarity:
| Rarity | Points | Packs Needed | Est. Cost | F2P Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-diamond | 35 | 7 | ~$5 | 4 days |
| Two-diamond | 70 | 14 | ~$15 | 7 days |
| Three-diamond | 150 | 30 | ~$25 | 15 days |
| Four-diamond | 500 | 100 | ~$90 | 50 days |
| One-star | 400 | 80 | ~$80 | 40 days |
| Two-star | 1,250 | 250 | ~$200 | 125 days |
| Three-star | 1,500 | 300 | ~$300 | 150 days |
| Crown | 2,500 | 500 | ~$500 | 250 days |
| One-star shiny | 1,000 | 200 | ~$180 | 100 days |
| Two-star shiny | 1,350 | 266 | ~$210 | 133 days |
FAQs About Card Rarity in Pokémon TCG Pocket
What is the rarest card in Pokémon TCG Pocket?
The Crown rarity cards—such as Golden Charizard ex, Golden Pikachu ex, and Golden Mewtwo ex—are currently the rarest and most valuable cards in the game.
Do rarities affect stats?
No. Rarities like full-art or shiny cards do not impact gameplay stats (HP, ATK, abilities). They are purely visual.
Are Promo cards a rarity?
No. Promo cards are distributed through event-exclusive packs and have a unique blue icon, but aren’t part of the rarity ladder.
Can you trade cards in Pokémon Pocket?
Trading is coming soon. While not available at launch, this long-requested feature is expected in future updates.
Are Secret Rares included?
Currently, only Mew exists as a Secret Rare. Unlike physical TCG, Pocket does not use numbered secrets (e.g., 101/100), but this could change in future sets.
Final Thoughts
The rarity system in Pokémon TCG Pocket brings a digital twist to the beloved collectible card game. By simplifying symbols and reshaping rarity tiers, it makes collecting easier for newcomers while still offering depth for veterans.
From everyday diamond cards to elusive gold crown ex Pokémon, understanding the mechanics behind these rarities will give you an edge—whether you’re collecting, trading (soon), or simply chasing your favorite Shiny variant.
Keep an eye out for new updates and expansions like Shining Revelry, and always check your rarity symbols before you dismiss a card—it might just be your next crown jewel.