Everything you need to know about full art Pokemon cards

The Pokémon TCG landscape has been transformed by stunning full art cards that captivate collectors and players alike with their breathtaking visual appeal.

Many former Pokémon enthusiasts have returned to the hobby specifically because of these artistic masterpieces that elevate card collecting to new heights.

Understanding the evolution, types, and characteristics of full art cards provides crucial context for building a valuable collection.

What is a full art Pokémon card?

Full art Pokémon cards represent premium alternate versions of standard cards, typically released concurrently within the same expansion set as their regular counterparts.

These special cards integrate all textual elements and energy requirements directly onto the expanded artwork, eliminating traditional borders and backgrounds entirely. Beginning with the Pokémon X and Y base set, nearly all full art cards feature distinctive textured surfaces that enhance both visual and tactile appeal.

The Pokémon TCG debuted full art cards in the Black and White base set through special treatments of Reshiram and Zekrom. Initially limited to select legendary Pokémon, the concept rapidly expanded to include diverse Pokémon species across multiple rarities.

Noble Victories from the Black and White era introduced the inaugural full art supporter card featuring an alternate N design. This innovation established a trend where nearly every supporter card eventually received full art treatment during this generation.

Black and White: Next Destinies marked a pivotal moment with the introduction of Pokémon EX cards, most of which included full art variants. These EX cards pioneered the textured surface treatment, distinguishing them from earlier full arts that featured only foil finishes.

Sun and Moon’s base set further diversified full art offerings by introducing item card variants alongside secret rare rainbow versions of Pokémon full arts. The Sword and Shield era continued this progression by adding rainbow rare variants for full art supporter cards as well.

How much are full art Pokémon cards worth?

The financial spectrum for full art Pokémon cards spans remarkably from budget-friendly options under $10 to elite specimens commanding thousands of dollars.

Numerous full art cards have been distributed as promotional items, making them readily accessible to collectors. However, pack-exclusive variants introduce significant price volatility based on multiple market-influencing factors.

Competitive meta relevance dramatically impacts card valuations, with tournament-staple full arts experiencing exponential price appreciation. During its competitive peak, rainbow full art Tapu Lele GX consistently traded above $100, while other secret rares from identical sets remained available for approximately $8. Collector-driven demand also elevates prices for aesthetically popular Pokémon like Charizard and cards subject to the so-called “waifu tax.”

For the most coveted full art specimens, professional grading services like PSA and Beckett become primary value determinants, potentially multiplying prices into the thousands. An ungraded rainbow full art Charizard GX from Sun and Moon: Burning Shadows typically sells below $350, whereas an identical card achieving Beckett or PSA 10 grading can surpass $6,000 at auction.

Pro Tip: Always examine card centering, surface condition, and edge quality before purchasing—these factors significantly impact both grading potential and resale value regardless of rarity.

How to get full art cards

Full art Pokémon cards can be acquired through booster pack openings or purchased directly from secondary market vendors. Certain exclusive full arts remain unavailable in standard packs and instead appear only in special limited-production collections.

The most reliable method for securing full art Pokémon cards involves purchasing “premium collection” boxes that include guaranteed full art promotional cards. This approach ensures at least one full art acquisition while providing additional opportunities through included booster packs. For instance, the Marnie Premium Tournament Collection contained an exclusive full art Marnie card alongside seven booster packs that might yield additional full arts.

Direct purchases from established card shops, gaming retailers, and reputable online resellers represents the most efficient path to obtaining specific full art targets. This method typically proves substantially more economical than attempting to pull desired cards through extensive pack openings.

Common Mistake to Avoid: New collectors often overestimate their odds of pulling specific full arts from packs—statistically, purchasing singles often costs 50-80% less than chasing through sealed product.

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