Pokémon TCG rarities: from the circle to the Mega Hyper Rare, and what they cost

In short

• A recent set reads in two parts: the main cards (circle, diamond, star), then the secret cards (Illustration Rare, Ultra Rare, Special Illustration Rare, Mega Hyper Rare).
• Pitch Black (ME05) has 84 main cards and 36 secret ones. The 74 commons, uncommons and rares cost a few cents each.
• Rarity isn't everything: an Illustration Rare runs from $1.12 to $6.34, a Special Illustration Rare from $23.05 to $136.89 (TCGplayer market price, October 19, 2026).
• What sets the price is the Pokémon, the artwork and the rarity together.

You open a pack, you see a shiny card, and you wonder if it's a "real rare". Here's how to read rarities, with examples from Pitch Black, out July 17, 2026. Prices are the TCGplayer market price of October 19, 2026 (English cards, US market).

The basics: common, uncommon, rare

This is most of every pack. The symbol at the bottom of the card tells you: a circle for a common, a diamond for an uncommon, a star for a rare.

Pitch Black has 37 commons, 26 uncommons and 11 rares. The priciest common is $0.23 (Wailmer), the priciest uncommon $0.19 (Slowbro), the priciest rare $0.23 (Voltaic Lightning Energy). Of those 11 rares, 9 are Pokémon and 2 are special Energy cards, and the Energy tops the list.

Reverse holos: the same card, shinier

A reverse holo is the same card with a holo background, and it has its own price. In the French file the common Tropius is €0.02 normal and €0.06 reverse (Cardmarket, same day). Not a big deal per card, but a reverse master set costs more than a normal one.

Double Rare: the ex cards

Double Rare cards are the Pokémon ex, like Mega Chandelure ex (38) here. Pitch Black has 10 of them, between $0.47 and $0.77. They're strong in play, not pricey to collect.

Secret cards: where prices take off

After the 84 main cards come the 36 secret ones, numbered past the set total:

• Illustration Rare (11 cards): a Pokémon in a painted scene, $1.12 to $6.34 (Slowbro).
• Ultra Rare (18 cards): full-art Pokémon and Trainers, $1.17 to $10.11 (Misty's Vitality).
• Special Illustration Rare (6 cards): the same idea, with a scene that spills over the whole card. $23.05 to $136.89.
• Mega Hyper Rare (1 card): the golden one, Mega Darkrai ex (120), at $135.53.

What it means for you

Two simple rules. Don't judge a card by its shine: an Ultra Rare can cost less than an Illustration Rare, because the Pokémon matters. And check the condition: a damaged card loses value fast.

FAQ

What's the difference between Illustration Rare and Special Illustration Rare?

Both are secret cards with painted art. In Pitch Black the Special Illustration Rare costs far more: $23.05 to $136.89, against $1.12 to $6.34 for the Illustration Rare (TCGplayer market price, October 19, 2026).

How many secret cards are in Pitch Black?

36: 11 Illustration Rares, 18 Ultra Rares, 6 Special Illustration Rares and 1 Mega Hyper Rare, on top of the 84 main cards.

Is a rarer card always pricier?

No. In Pitch Black the best Ultra Rare ($10.11) beats most Illustration Rares, and the Mega Hyper Rare ($135.53) sits just below the top Special Illustration Rare ($136.89).

Track your collection

In NookDex every binder shows each card's rarity and today's price, so you see at a glance what's missing and what it costs.