Common, Uncommon, Rare, Double Rare, Ultra Rare, Illustration rare, special illustration rare, and hyper rare. Can someone explain the differences? (Ik some are a given but like plz)
Note: the English rarity system changed at the start of the Scarlet and Violet era.
A comprehensive breakdown can be found here: The Different Rarity Symbols in Pokemon Card Sets Explained , but a brief summary:
Common
Japan designation: C
Uncommon
Japan designation: U
Rare (Holo)
Japan designation: R
Double Rare (standard ex)
Japan designation: RR
Ultra Rare (generic full arts)
Japan designation: SR (super rare)
Hyper Rare (gold cards)
Japan designation: UR (ultra rare)
As for before Scarlet and Violet, the above is basically the same, except english did not have the updated star system for cards beyond “ultra rares”
Note on Rainbow Rares
The Japan “HR” or Hyper Rare rarity referred mostly to Rainbow cards. I don’t remember what English called these. I want to say they were literally called “Rainbow Rares”
In the Sword and Shield era, VMAXes with special arts were in the same rarity category as the Rainbow Rare (English)/HR (Japanese)
example: Umbreon VMAX HR(Hyper Rare/Rainbow Rare) SA (Special Art)
Special Arts (IR/SIR/Alt Arts/Alts/etc)
Illustration Rare (unique illustration, no texture)
Japan designation: AR (art rare)
Special Illustration Rare (unique llustration, textured)
Japan designation: SAR (super art rare)
Note on SAR/IR
the SAR/IR rarity was created in the last set of Generation 8. Prior to this, there were terms that were adopted to describe these distinct sorts of cards.
the one I’d recommend is “SA” or Special Art used as a suffix added to pre-scarlet and violet Full Art
Example: “Charizard V SR SA”
Sometimes people call these “Alt Arts” which can sometimes get confusing because “Alt Arts” is also used for anything with a variation of an artowrk.
example:
Others
S (“baby” shiny)
SSR (shiny full art)
CHR (character rare, a trainer accompanying the Pokemon - no texture)
CSR (character super rare, textured)
Generational Gimmicks/Rarities:
There are also some rarities that come and go. These are typically generational gimmicks in the card game, but are a distinct rarity that is different from what was outlined above.
These include Gold Stars (Gen 3), Primes (HGSS Era), Prism Stars (Gen 7), Radiants (Gen 8), and now the return of a generation 5 gimmick - Ace Specs which have been given their own rarity.
IMO, memorizing these is less important than the other stuff that transcends generations.
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I hope this gets changed to an article because this was comprehensive
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English deciding on ‘Illustration’ just to be different.
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i’ll do something more formatted over the weekend.
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I agree with @nikhil . This can easily be an article since I found this to be very well explained and comprehensive. Great job @inertgeometry . Thanks.
Cheers!
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Thx, Also Ye It was called Rainbow rares.
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I also agree this should be an article. Very well explained. Very well detailed, and very easy to follow. Amazing work @inertgeometry
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This Question was actually for my fan made Set, and i didnt know what the different rarities above rare was for 
So i just decided to ask. Since i assumed someone would know. (Im new to actually COLLECTING, and dont pay attention to newer rarity, bcuz i play Base-Legacy.)
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This is such a good resource. Thank you
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i spent way too much time (with help from pfm) to elaborate on this way too much. now it’s just a mind-numbing wall of text
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