Base Set 2 cards are **not considered Shadowless**. Shadowless cards refer specifically to a distinct printing variation of the original Base Set Pokémon cards, characterized by the absence of a shadow around the Pokémon’s image box, a thinner font, and a slightly different card texture and color brightness. These Shadowless cards were printed before the Unlimited Base Set and Base Set 2, making them rarer and more collectible. Base Set 2 cards, on the other hand, are reprints of Base Set and Jungle cards with the Base Set 2 logo and have the shadow around the Pokémon image, which means they are part of the Unlimited print run style rather than Shadowless[2].
To clarify the terminology and printing history:
– **Base Set (1st Edition)**: The very first print run, with a 1st Edition stamp and Shadowless style.
– **Base Set Shadowless**: The second print run, no 1st Edition stamp, but still no shadow around the Pokémon image. These cards have a thinner font and brighter colors.
– **Base Set Unlimited**: The third print run, which introduced the shadow around the Pokémon image box, thicker font, and slightly different card texture.
– **Base Set 2**: Released later, this set reprinted cards from Base Set and Jungle with the Base Set 2 logo. These cards have the shadow around the Pokémon image, similar to Unlimited cards, and are not Shadowless[2].
The Shadowless designation is specific to a particular print run of the original Base Set cards and does not extend to Base Set 2 cards. Base Set 2 cards are visually and technically closer to Unlimited cards than to Shadowless cards.
Regarding medical or authoritative sources, the Pokémon TCG community and collectors rely on official Wizards of the Coast print run details and card characteristics documented by reputable collectors and grading companies such as PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator). These sources confirm the distinctions between Shadowless and Base Set 2 cards based on physical card features and print history. No medical information is relevant to this topic, so no medical sources are applicable here.
In summary, Base Set 2 cards are not Shadowless; they belong to a later print run style that includes the shadow around the Pokémon image, distinguishing them from the Shadowless Base Set cards that are highly sought after by collectors[2][3][1].
