WotC Vintage Era

Original Wizards of the Coast Expansions

Each set opens its own page: era imagery, every card pictured, and per-card reviews as they're built. Base Set is covered across all four of its printings.

The Wizards of the Coast Era · 1999–2003 · All 14 Sets

JANUARY 1999 · 102 CARDS × 4 PRINTINGS Reviews Live

Base Set — 1st Edition / Shadowless / Unlimited / 4th Print

The origin of the Pokémon TCG in North America. All four printings have their own page with the full 102-card grid. Live reviews: Charizard #4 dossier + the complete Bulbasaur record.

Holo Rate: 1:3 PacksOpen Set & Card Reviews →

JUNE 1999 · 64 CARDS

Jungle Expansion

The first expansion. Scyther, Snorlax, the Eeveelutions. Full card gallery live; reviews building.

16 Holo RaresGallery Live

OCTOBER 1999 · 62 CARDS

Fossil Expansion

Aerodactyl, Lapras, Gengar, the legendary birds. Full card gallery live; reviews building.

15 Holo RaresGallery Live

FEBRUARY 2000 · 130 CARDS

The reprint set combining Base Set and Jungle with the Cosmos star foil. Bulbasaur + Pikachu reviews live.

Cosmos FoilReviews Live

APRIL 2000 · 83 CARDS

The Dark Pokémon debut — Dark Charizard, Dark Blastoise. Full card gallery live; reviews building.

Dark Pokémon EraGallery Live

AUGUST 2000 · 132 CARDS

The first Gym Leaders set — Blaine's Arcanine, Brock's Rhydon, Misty's deck. Lt. Surge's Pikachu reviews live.

19 Holo RaresReviews Live

OCTOBER 2000 · 132 CARDS

The second Gym Leaders set. Erika's Bulbasaur + Lt. Surge's Pikachu reviews live.

Gym Leader ThemesReviews Live

DECEMBER 2000 · 111 CARDS

Generation II arrives — Lugia and the famously error-filled 1st Edition print run. Pikachu reviews live.

Gen II DebutReviews Live

JUNE 2001 · 75 CARDS

Umbreon's first appearance leads the Neo era's second set. Full card gallery live.

Neo EraGallery Live

FEBRUARY 2002 · 105 CARDS

The Neo era's finale — Shining Pokémon among the rarest cards of the whole vintage run. Gallery live.

Shining CardsGallery Live

MAY 2002 · 110 CARDS

Legendary Collection

The greatest-hits reprint set with reverse holos — the era's hidden scarcity plays. Bulbasaur + Pikachu reviews live, including both species' #1 cards.

Reverse Holo EraReviews Live

SEPTEMBER 2002 · 165 CARDS

Expedition Base Set

The eReader era begins. Bulbasaur + Pikachu reviews live (both numbers + reverse holos).

E-ReaderReviews Live

JANUARY 2003 · 147 CARDS (+H)

The eReader town-set with Crystal-Type cards. Full gallery live including the H-numbered rares.

Crystal TypesGallery Live

MAY 2003 · 144 CARDS (+H)

WotC's beautiful farewell set — Crystal cards, holo swirls, and the era's last chase rares. Pikachu reviews live.

Final WotC SetReviews Live

1999–2003 · ROADMAP

Also Queued: Wizards Black Star Promos

The 51-card Wizards promo run — Flying Pikachu, Surfing Pikachu, and friends — builds next.

RoadmapBuilding