Pokémon Rainbow Rare cards are a special category of Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) cards characterized by their distinctive rainbow-colored borders and full-art illustrations. These cards are often referred to as “Special Art Rare” or “Two-Star Rarity” cards in some Pokémon TCG communities. They typically feature legendary, fantasy, or final-evolution Pokémon with vibrant, eye-catching artwork that covers the entire card, including the Pokémon image and background, often with a shimmering or holographic rainbow effect.
Rainbow Rare cards stand out because of their unique visual design compared to regular cards, which usually have a standard border and less elaborate artwork. The rainbow border and full-art style make these cards highly desirable among collectors and players alike. They are considered a subset of the “Art Rare” or “Special Art Rare” category, which includes full-art Pokémon ex or V cards with enhanced artistic presentation.
Regarding rarity, Rainbow Rare cards are quite rare but not the rarest in the Pokémon TCG hierarchy. They are generally classified as “Double Rare” or higher, often indicated by a two-star rarity symbol (☆☆) on the card. Their pull rates in booster packs are significantly lower than common, uncommon, or even standard rare cards, making them harder to obtain. However, they are more common than ultra-rare cards like “Crown Rare” (gold art) or certain promotional cards. The rarity is also influenced by the specific Pokémon set and the card’s role within that set.
In terms of rarity classification, Pokémon cards have a range of rarity levels, from Common (C), Uncommon (U), Rare (R), to Double Rare (RR), Triple Rare (RRR), and special categories like Amazing Cards (A) that feature a rainbow aura behind the Pokémon. Rainbow Rare cards fall into the special art category, often marked with two stars and featuring a full-art rainbow border, which visually signals their rarity and special status.
Collectors value Rainbow Rare cards not only for their scarcity but also for their aesthetic appeal and the prestige of owning a visually striking card featuring powerful or iconic Pokémon. These cards often depict legendary or final-evolution Pokémon, adding to their desirability.
In summary, Pokémon Rainbow Rare cards are full-art, rainbow-bordered cards featuring legendary or final-evolution Pokémon, classified as Double Rare or Special Art Rare with a two-star rarity symbol. They are rarer than standard rare cards but not the rarest overall, prized for their unique artwork and collectible value.
