Where It All Began
The original 1999 Base Set launched the Pokemon TCG phenomenon worldwide. Home to the most iconic cards ever printed, including the legendary holographic Charizard.
base1 Difficulty
5/5 to complete
Avg Card Value
$15
Market average
Top Card
1st Edition Charizard
$5,000+
Rarity Tier
Overview
The Base Set is the first English-language Pokemon TCG expansion, released on January 9, 1999. It contains 102 cards featuring Generation I Pokemon and introduced the world to the trading card game. Both unlimited and 1st Edition prints exist, with shadowless variants being particularly sought after.
Best for
- Collectors building a WOTC foundation and learning edition variants
- Anyone pricing Charizard / Blastoise / Venusaur holos before buying or selling
- People who need to tell 1st Edition, shadowless, and unlimited apart
Skip this path if
- You expect modern pull rates — Base Set holos are expensive as singles
- You will not verify edition stamps and shadow variants before paying vintage premiums
Common mistakes
Paying 1st Edition money for unlimited, or unlimited money without checking shadowless. The drop shadow on the art box and the 1st Edition stamp change value more than condition alone on many holos. Another miss: assuming every “Base Set” Charizard is the same print.
What to check first
Scan or inspect for 1st Edition stamp, shadowless vs unlimited art box, and holo vs non-holo. Then condition (surface, edges, centering). Confirm set membership against the Base Set checklist before you negotiate.
Most valuable cards
The holographic Charizard (#4) is the crown jewel, with 1st Edition PSA 10 copies selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Blastoise (#2) and Venusaur (#15) holos are also highly valuable. Shadowless variants of all holos command significant premiums over unlimited prints.
Cards from Base Set
Tap any card to see price history and details.
28 of 102 
Alakazam
Blastoise
Chansey
Charizard
Ninetales
Dragonair
Dewgong
Jynx
Poliwhirl
Caterpie
Koffing
Pikachu
Staryu
Computer Search
Scoop Up
PlusPower
Bill
Energy Removal
Gust of Wind
Potion
Switch
Double Colorless Energy
Fighting Energy
Fire Energy
Grass Energy
Lightning Energy
Psychic Energy
Water Energy
Tips to finish the set
Start by acquiring the common and uncommon cards, which remain affordable. Focus on unlimited prints first if budget is a concern. The 16 holographic rares are the hardest to complete — consider buying them individually rather than chasing through booster packs.
How to Complete This Set
- 01
Scan your Base Set cards with Pokex to check for shadowless variants
- 02
Compare prices for 1st Edition vs Unlimited prints
- 03
Look for cards in Near Mint condition for maximum value
- 04
Track which holos you still need to complete the set
Scan with the app
Use the Pokex scanner to instantly distinguish between shadowless and unlimited prints, which can mean a 10x difference in value. The scanner also identifies 1st Edition stamps and helps grade card condition at a glance.
Common questions
01 How many cards are in the Base Set?
The Base Set contains 102 cards: 16 holographic rares, 16 non-holo rares, 32 uncommons, 32 commons, and 6 trainer cards among the rares.
02 What is the most valuable Base Set card?
The 1st Edition holographic Charizard (#4) is the most valuable, with PSA 10 copies selling for $300,000+. Even unlimited holos in good condition sell for several hundred dollars.
03 What is the difference between shadowless and unlimited Base Set?
Shadowless cards lack the drop shadow on the right side of the card art box. They were part of the earliest unlimited print run and are significantly rarer and more valuable than standard unlimited cards.
04 How can I tell if my Base Set card is 1st Edition?
Look for a "1st Edition" stamp on the left side of the card, just below the card artwork. The stamp appears as a black circle with "1" inside and "EDITION" written below it.
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