Illustration Rare
An Illustration Rare (IR) is a Scarlet & Violet era rarity marked with one gold star, featuring full-card scenic artwork of a regular Pokémon.
Illustration Rare is an official rarity tier introduced with the Scarlet & Violet series, identified by a single gold star in the bottom corner. IRs take ordinary Pokémon from the set and give them borderless, story-driven artwork, continuing the spirit of the Sword & Shield era alt arts.
IRs are numbered above the printed set count, making them secret-numbered cards. They are among the most pulled special rarities in a set — noticeably easier to hit than Special Illustration Rares — so most IRs stay affordable, while standout artworks of fan-favorite Pokémon can become surprisingly expensive. For artwork-focused collectors, the IR lineup is often the main reason to open a set.