Illustration Rare vs Special Illustration Rare: the difference
Short answer: both are full-art "scene" cards from the Scarlet & Violet era onwards. An Illustration Rare usually shows a regular Pokémon, while a Special Illustration Rare usually features a Pokémon ex or a Supporter and is harder to pull.
| Illustration Rare | Special Illustration Rare | |
|---|---|---|
| English cards | 511 | 232 |
| First set | Scarlet & Violet | Scarlet & Violet |
| Usual subject | Regular Pokémon in a scene | Pokémon ex or Supporters in a full story scene |
How to spot them
Both are numbered after the main set. The rarity symbol at the bottom is one gold star for an Illustration Rare and two gold stars for a Special Illustration Rare.
See every Illustration Rare and every Special Illustration Rare.
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