You’ve done it. After weeks of trading, opening packs, and maybe spending a little more than you told your significant other, you’ve finally slotted the last card into your binder. Every single card from the latest Pokémon set, 1 to 182, is present and accounted for. You lean back, admiring your work, a true master of your cardboard domain.
Then your friend leans over, peers at your collection, and utters the nine words that can send a shiver down any collector’s spine: “Nice, but are you going for the parallel set?”
You smile and nod confidently, while inside your brain is screaming, “A parallel what now? Is that like an evil twin set from another dimension? Did I miss half the cards?!”
Don’t panic. This isn’t some secret, high-level collector term designed to make you feel inadequate. A parallel set is a simple and, frankly, pretty cool concept that adds a whole new layer to the hobby. So, let’s demystify the Pokémon TCG’s shiniest secret.
What in the World is a Parallel Set?
In the simplest terms, a parallel set is a complete copy of the main set that runs alongside it, where every single card has been given a special holographic treatment.
Think of it like a secret menu for your Pokémon cards. You have the standard menu—the regular set from 1 to 182 that everyone knows. But then there’s this other, fancier menu where you can get every single one of those items, from the most common Caterpie to the most powerful Trainer card, with a shiny, glittery twist.
The most common form this takes is the “Reverse Holo.” This is where the terminology gets a little weird, but stick with it. In a regular holo card, which is one of the classic Pokémon card rarities, the Pokémon in the artwork is shiny, and the rest of the card is not. A reverse holo, as the name suggests, does the reverse. The Pokémon in the art box is a normal, non-shiny illustration, but the entire card around the art box—the background, the text area, all of it—has a holographic pattern.
So, for every single card number in a set, there are two versions:
- The Standard Version: The normal card, which might be non-holo or a regular holo if it’s a Rare.
- The Reverse Holo Version: The special, parallel version where the card’s background is shiny.
This means that a full “master set” isn’t just the 182 cards; it’s the 182 standard cards plus the 182 reverse holo cards. Yes, the maths is starting to sound terrifying, but that’s the challenge.
The “Why Should I Care?” Section
Okay, so it’s a bunch of extra shiny cards. What’s the big deal? Well, the allure of the parallel set is threefold.
First, it’s the ultimate challenge for a master collector. If completing a regular set is like finishing a video game, then completing the parallel set is like going back to beat it on “Hard Mode” and find all the hidden collectibles. It transforms the hunt from just finding one of each card to finding two specific versions of each card. It’s a marathon for the most dedicated, a glorious, binder-filling quest that proves your commitment to the hobby.
Second, it’s the great equaliser of Pokémon. In a regular set, only the “cool” and powerful Pokémon get to be holographic Rares. Your poor, lovable Lechonk or your trusty Bidoof are usually just plain, common cards. But in the parallel set, everyone gets to be fancy. A reverse holo Bidoof is still a Bidoof, but now it’s a shimmering, sparkling, fabulous Bidoof. It gives every single Pokémon in the Pokédex its moment in the spotlight, and for fans of more obscure creatures, this is their chance to get a special version of their favourite.
Finally, there’s the sneaky matter of value and rarity. While you might get one reverse holo in every single pack, their individual values can be all over the place. A reverse holo common might be worth pennies. However, a reverse holo of a wildly popular Pokémon (like Pikachu, Eevee, or a starter) or a highly playable Trainer card can sometimes be worth more than a regular holographic Rare card from the same set. Furthermore, reverse holos from older, out-of-print sets—like the legendary Legendary Collection with its iconic “fireworks” holo pattern—are incredibly sought-after and can command some seriously high prices.2
A Quick History of Shiny Cardboard
The concept has been around for a while, but it was the 2002 Legendary Collection set that really made it famous. Every card in that set had a reverse holo version with an explosive, firework-like pattern that collectors still go crazy for today.
Since then, the style has evolved. In the Diamond & Pearl era, the reverse holo pattern often had the set logo subtly embedded in it. More recently, the pattern is often themed around the card’s Energy type, with tiny Fire or Water symbols shimmering in the light. This evolution allows seasoned collectors to identify the era of a card just by looking at its shine.
So, Do I Need to Collect the Parallel Set?
Absolutely not. And anyone who makes you feel like you do is taking the hobby way too seriously.
The beauty of Pokémon card collecting is that you get to set your own goals.
- Want to just collect your favourite Pokémon? Do it.
- Want to build a deck to play with your friends? Go for it.
- Want to complete the standard set of 182 cards and call it a day? Perfect.
The parallel set is simply another path you can choose to take on your journey. It’s for the completionists, the magpies who are drawn to shiny things, and the fans who believe that every Pokémon deserves its day in the sun (or, more accurately, under a holographic sheen).
So, the next time someone asks if you’re collecting the parallel set, you can confidently tell them exactly what it is. Then you can decide if you’re crazy enough to try. Go on, make that Bidoof sparkle.
You know you want to.
