Database Insight: Holofoil Overview – Platinum era

Throughout the Pokémon TCG, there were plenty of different Holofoil patterns so far. Both the evolution and use of these Holofoil patterns is very interesting to go through and analyse. We see some Holofoil patterns being a constant Holofoil pattern, e.g. Cosmos Holofoil, while others are only present in a limited way, e.g. Sequin Holofoil.

For the purposes of this article, we will only discuss the English structure and other languages to the extent relevant.

Be aware that for proper understanding of this article a division is made between standard sets, Factory Sets that were distributed in boosterboxes and other product, and non-standard sets, Factory Sets that were not distributed in boosterboxes but solely in other product.

Standard SetsNon-Standard Set
Platinum Base Set
Rising Rivals
Supreme Victors
Arceus
POP Series 9
Pokémon Rumble

In the the Platinum era, there are four different Holofoil patterns: (1) Non-Holofoil, (2) Cosmos Holofoil, (3) Reverse Holofoil, and (4) Cracked Ice Holofoil. There were no new Holofoil patterns, except for a new Reverse Holofoil pattern, Cracked Ice Pattern. With respect to the Holofoil patterns, the Starlight Holofoil, Refractor Holofoil and Sheen Holofoil did not make a reappearance in this era.

1. Cosmos Holofoil

The Cosmos Holofoil pattern is best described as a very vibrant and present holofoil pattern with circles, resembling a galaxy. The Cosmos Holofoil is by far the most present holofoil pattern in the Pokémon TCG.

1.1. Standard Sets

In principle, the Cosmos Holofoil pattern is used for all cards that have the rarity Holo Rare, Ultra Rare and Secret Rare in the Platinum era. The principle is very well abided by the different sets in this era.

In Platinum Base Set, the Cosmos Holofoil pattern is used for all cards that have the rarity Holo Rare, Ultra Rare or Secret Rare, conform the principle set out above.

More details on Platinum Base Set and Cosmos Holofoil

In Platinum Base Set, there are 28 Masters, where each Master has at least 5 variants with the Cosmos Holofoil pattern, i.e.

  • (1) English, Unlimited edition,
  • (2) French, Unlimited edition,
  • (3) German, Unlimited edition,
  • (4) Italian, Unlimited edition, and
  • (5) Spanish, Unlimited edition.

All these variants have the Cosmos Holofoil pattern.

Please note that there are is one some additional Masters have one or more extra English variants with the Cosmos Holofoil pattern, i.e.

  • Giratina has the rarity “Rare”, but has one variant with the Cosmos Holofoil pattern from the Rebellion Theme Deck.
  • Shaymin has the rarity “Rare”, but has one variant with the Cosmos Holofoil pattern from the Flourish Theme Deck.
  • Dialga G LV.X has the rarity “Ultra Rare”, but has one extra variant with the Cosmos Holofoil pattern due to the Energy Ink Error under “Weakness” and “Resistance”.

For Platinum Base Set, there are 28 Masters with 29 variants in English. If the other languages are added, there are 28 masters with 133 variants.

In Rising Rivals, the Cosmos Holofoil pattern is used for all cards that have the rarity Holo Rare, Ultra Rare or Secret Rare, conform the principle set out above.

More details on Rising Rivals and Cosmos Holofoil

In Rising Rivals, there are 26 Masters, where each Master has at least 3 variants with the Cosmos Holofoil pattern, i.e.

  • (1) English, Unlimited edition,
  • (2) French, Unlimited edition,
  • (3) German, Unlimited edition, and
  • (4) Italian, Unlimited edition.

All these variants have the Cosmos Holofoil pattern.

Please note that there are is one some additional Masters have one or more extra English variants with the Cosmos Holofoil pattern, i.e.

  • Gallade E4 has the rarity “Rare”, but has one variant with the Cosmos Holofoil pattern from the Cutting Edge Theme Deck.
  • Rhyperior E4 has the rarity “Rare”, but has one variant with the Cosmos Holofoil pattern from the Drill Point Theme Deck.

For Rising Rivals, there are 27 Masters with 27 variants in English. If the other languages are added, there are 27 masters with 74 variants.

In Supreme Victors, the Cosmos Holofoil pattern is used for all cards that have the rarity Holo Rare, Ultra Rare or Secret Rare, conform the principle set out above.

More details on Supreme Victors and Cosmos Holofoil

In Supreme Victors, there are 26 Masters, where each Master has at least 3 variants with the Cosmos Holofoil pattern, i.e.

  • (1) English, Unlimited edition,
  • (2) French, Unlimited edition, and
  • (3) German, Unlimited edition.

All these variants have the Cosmos Holofoil pattern.

Please note that there are is one some additional Masters have one or more extra English variants with the Cosmos Holofoil pattern, i.e.

  • Arcanine G has the rarity “Rare”, but has one variant with the Cosmos Holofoil pattern from the Ignition Theme Deck.
  • Milotic C has the rarity “Rare”, but has one variant with the Cosmos Holofoil pattern from the Overflow Theme Deck.

For Supreme Victors, there are 26 Masters with 26 variants in English. If the other languages are added, there are 26 masters with 74 variants.

In Arceus, the Cosmos Holofoil pattern is used for all cards that have the rarity Holo Rare, Ultra Rare or Secret Rare, conform the principle set out above.

The “AR'”-subset in Arceus has five masters with each one variant with the Cosmos Holofoil pattern.

More details on Arceus and Cosmos Holofoil

In Arceus, there are 23 Masters, where each Master has at least 3 variants with the Cosmos Holofoil pattern, i.e.

  • (1) English, Unlimited edition,
  • (2) German, Unlimited edition, and
  • (3) Italian, Unlimited edition.

All these variants have the Cosmos Holofoil pattern.

For Arceus, there are 23 Masters with 23 variants in English. If the other languages are added, there are 23 masters with 69 variants.

1.2. Non-Standard Sets

In the non-standard sets of the Platinum era there is at least one Master with a variant with the Cosmos Holofoil pattern.

In POP Series 9, also contains some cards that have variants with the Cosmos Holofoil pattern.

More details on POP Series 9 and Cosmos Holofoil

In POP Series 9, there are 3 masters, where each Master has 4 variants with the Cosmos Holofoil pattern i.e.

  • (1) English, Unlimited edition,
  • (2) German, Unlimited edition,
  • (3) French, Unlimited edition, and
  • (4) Italian, Unlimited edition.

Please note that the following Masters have one extra French variant with the Cosmos Holofoil pattern, i.e.

For POP Series 9, there are 3 Masters with 3 variants in English. If the other languages are added, there are 11 masters with 22 variants.

In Rumble, also contains 2 Master that have one variant with the Cosmos Holofoil pattern.

More details on Rumble and Cosmos Holofoil

In Rumble, there are 2 masters, where each Master has 1 variant with the Cosmos Holofoil pattern i.e. English, Unlimited edition.

For Rumble, there are 2 Masters with 2 variants in English. The set was not printed in other languages.

2. Non-Holofoil

The Non-Holofoil pattern is not a “true” holofoil pattern. However, for completeness sake of metadata in the Collexy database it is important to mark all variants that have no holofoil pattern as Non-Holofoil.

3. Reverse Holofoil

The Reverse Holofoil pattern is a holofoil pattern that is exactly what the name indicates, everything receives a holofoil treatment except for the artbox with the Pokémon in it.

3.1. Standard Set

3.1.1. Regular Pattern

The “Regular Pattern” of the Reverse Holofoil, i.e. Set Reverse Holofoil pattern, refers to the Reverse Holofoil that is used for the cards in that specific set. This can differ throughout an era, but there is always only one Set Reverse Holofoil pattern. If a variant has a Reverse Holofoil pattern that matches the Set Reverse Holofoil pattern, the specific Reverse Holofoil pattern is not mentioned.

However, it can occur that some variants have a different Reverse Holofoil pattern than the Set Reverse Holofoil pattern. In this event, the variant with the different Reverse Holofoil pattern (compared to the Set Reverse Holofoil pattern) is differentiated through the “Print”-parameter, specifically by mentioning the exact “Pattern” of the Reverse Holofoil, distinguishing it from the Set Reverse Holofoil Pattern.

This means that there are variants of one Master with different Reverse Holofoil finishes, which means that

  • the variant with the Set Reverse Holofoil pattern will have as “Holofoil”-parameter the input “Reverse Holofoil” without any “Print”-parameter related to the Reverse Holofoil pattern, and
  • the differing Reverse Holofoil, i.e. Reverse Holofoil pattern with a different pattern than the Set Reverse Holofoil pattern, will have (a) as “Holofoil”-parameter the input “Reverse Holofoil”, and (b) as “Print”-parameter the input of the specific finish (e.g. Cosmos Pattern, Cracked Ice Pattern, etc.).

In the Platinum era, the Set Reverse Holofoil Pattern is always the Mirror Pattern.

3.1.1.1. Mirror Pattern

In the Platinum era, the Set Reverse Holofoil pattern is always the Mirror Pattern, i.e. a Reverse Holofoil that has a reflective pattern without any additional specific pattern.

In Platinum Base Set, the Set Reverse Holofoil pattern is the Mirror pattern.

The extra subset in Platinum Base Set, i.e. the SH-subset, also received a Reverse Holofoil treatment, with the Regular Pattern, i.e. Mirror Finish. All the cards in the SH-subset are Shiny Pokémon.

More details on Platinum Base Set and Reverse Holofoil

In Platinum Base Set, there are 124 Masters, where each Master has at least 5 variants with the Reverse Holofoil pattern, i.e.

  • (1) English, Unlimited edition,
  • (2) French, Unlimited edition,
  • (3) German, Unlimited edition, and
  • (4) Italian, Unlimited edition.

All these variants have the Reverse Holofoil pattern.

For Platinum Base Set, there are 124 Masters with 124 variants in English. If the other languages are added, there are 124 masters with 497 variants.

In Rising Rivals, the Set Reverse Holofoil pattern is the Mirror pattern.

More details on Rising Rivals and Reverse Holofoil

In Rising Rivals, there are 102 Masters, where each Master has at least 3 variants with the Reverse Holofoil pattern, i.e.

  • (1) English, Unlimited edition,
  • (2) French, Unlimited edition,
  • (3) German, Unlimited edition, and
  • (4) Italian, Unlimited edition.

All these variants have the Reverse Holofoil pattern.

For Rising Rivals, there are 102 Masters with 102 variants in English. If the other languages are added, there are 102 masters with 408 variants.

In Supreme Victors, the Set Reverse Holofoil pattern is the Mirror pattern.

The extra subset in Supreme Victors, i.e. the SH-subset, also received a Reverse Holofoil treatment, with the Regular Pattern, i.e. Mirror Finish. All the cards in the SH-subset are Shiny Pokémon.

More details on Supreme Victors and Reverse Holofoil

In Supreme Victors, there are 143 Masters, where each Master has at least 3 variants with the Reverse Holofoil pattern, i.e.

  • (1) English, Unlimited edition,
  • (2) French, Unlimited edition, and
  • (3) German, Unlimited edition.

All these variants have the Reverse Holofoil pattern.

For Supreme Victors, there are 143 Masters with 143 variants in English. If the other languages are added, there are 143 masters with 429 variants.

In Arceus, the Set Reverse Holofoil pattern is the Mirror pattern.

The extra subset in Arceus, i.e. the SH-subset, also received a Reverse Holofoil treatment, with the Set Reverse Holofoil Pattern, i.e. Mirror Finish. All the cards in the SH-subset are Shiny Pokémon.

More details on Arceus and Reverse Holofoil

In Arceus, there are 96 Masters, where each Master has at least 3 variants with the Reverse Holofoil pattern, i.e.

  • (1) English, Unlimited edition,
  • (2) German, Unlimited edition, and
  • (3) Italian, Unlimited edition.

All these variants have the Reverse Holofoil pattern.

For Arceus, there are 96 Masters with 98 variants in English. If the other languages are added, there are 96 masters with 288 variants.

3.1.1.2. Crosshatch Pattern

After being introduced in the Diamond & Pearl era, the Reverse Holofoil pattern with the Crosshatch Pattern made its return in the Platinum era. Just like in the previous era, the Crosshatch Pattern is only occasionally used and deviates from the Set Reverse Holofoil Pattern, i.e. Mirror Pattern. The Crosshatch Pattern can best be described as a Holofoil pattern with textured lines going in two separate directions: one direction from the top left to the bottom right at an angle of 45 degrees and one direction from the top right to the bottom left at an angle of 45 degrees.

In Platinum Base Set, the Set Reverse Holofoil pattern is the Mirror pattern. However, some Masters have an extra variant with a different Reverse Holofoil pattern, i.e. Crosshatch Pattern.

More details on Platinum Base Set and Crosshatch Pattern

In Platinum Base Set, there are 3 Masters, where each Master has 1 Reverse Holofoil variant with the Crosshatch Pattern, i.e. English, Unlimited edition.

All these Reverse Holofoil variants have the Crosshatch Pattern.

Please note that there are some Masters that have one extra English Reverse Holofoil variant with the Crosshatch Pattern, i.e.

  • Dialga G has the rarity “Holo Rare”, but has one variant with the Crosshatch Pattern from the Pokémon League.
  • Broken Time-Space has the rarity “Uncommon”, but has one variant with the Crosshatch pattern from the Pokémon League.
  • Pluspower has the rarity “Uncommon”, but has one variant with the Crosshatch pattern from the Player Rewards Program.

For Platinum Base Set, there are 3 Masters with 3 variants in English.

In Rising Rivals, the Set Reverse Holofoil pattern is the Mirror pattern. However, some Masters have an extra variant with a different Reverse Holofoil pattern, i.e. Crosshatch Pattern.

More details on Rising Rivals and Crosshatch Pattern

In Rising Rivals, there are 7 Masters, where each Master has one Reverse Holofoil variant with the Crosshatch Pattern, i.e. English, Unlimited edition.

All these Reverse Holofoil variants have the Crosshatch Pattern.

Please note that there are some Masters that have one extra English Reverse Holofoil variant with the Crosshatch Pattern, i.e.

For Rising Rivals, there are 7 Masters with 7 variants in English.

In Supreme Victors, the Set Reverse Holofoil pattern is the Mirror pattern. However, some Masters have an extra variant with a different Reverse Holofoil pattern, i.e. Crosshatch Pattern.

More details on Supreme Victors and Crosshatch Pattern

In Supreme Victors, there are 12 Masters, where each Master has at least 1 Reverse Holofoil variant with the Crosshatch Pattern, i.e. English, Unlimited edition.

All these Reverse Holofoil variants have the Crosshatch Pattern.

Please note that there are some Masters that have one or two extra English Reverse Holofoil variant(s) with the Crosshatch Pattern, i.e.

  • Garchomp has the rarity “Holo Rare” and has two variants with the Crosshatch Pattern, i.e. (a) one extra variant from the National Championships, and (b) one extra variant with the “Staff”-stamp from the National Championships.
  • Arcanine G has the rarity “Rare”, but has one extra variant from the Pokémon League.
  • Butterfree FB has the rarity “Rare”, but has one extra variant from the Pokémon League.
  • Dusknoir FB has the rarity “Rare”, but has one extra variant from the Pokémon League.
  • Empoleon FB has the rarity “Rare”, but has one extra variant from the Pokémon League.
  • Milotic C has one rarity “Rare”, but has one extra variant from the Pokémon League.
  • Dragonite FB has one rarity “Uncommon”, but has one extra variant from the Pokémon League.
  • Gabite has the rarity “Uncommon” and has two variants with the Crosshatch Pattern, i.e. (a) one extra variant from the State Championships, and (b) one extra variant with the “Staff”-stamp from the State Championships.
  • Garchomp C has the rarity “Uncommon” and has two variants with the Crosshatch Pattern, i.e. (a) one extra variant from the Regional Championships, and (b) one extra variant with the “Staff”-stamp from the Regional Championships.
  • Skarmory FB has the rarity “Uncommon”, but has one extra variant from the Pokémon League.
  • Gible has the rarity “Common” and has two variants with the Crosshatch Pattern, i.e. (a) one extra variant from the Regional Championships, and (b) one extra variant with the “Staff”-stamp from the Regional Championships.

For Supreme Victors, there are 12 Masters with 16 variants in English.

In Arceus, the Set Reverse Holofoil pattern is the Mirror pattern. However, some Masters have an extra variant with a different Reverse Holofoil pattern, i.e. Crosshatch Pattern.

More details on Arceus and Crosshatch Pattern

In Arceus, there are 2 Masters, where each Master has at 1 Reverse Holofoil variant with the Crosshatch Pattern, i.e. English, Unlimited edition.

All these Reverse Holofoil variants have the Crosshatch Pattern.

Please note that there are some Masters that have one or two extra English Reverse Holofoil variant(s) with the Crosshatch Pattern, i.e.

  • Spiritomb has the rarity “Rare”, but has one extra variant from the Pokémon League.
  • Expert Belt has the rarity “Uncommon”, but has one extra variant from the Pokémon League.

For Arceus, there are 2 Masters with 2 variants in English.

3.1.1.3. Cracked Ice Pattern

The Cracked Ice Holofoil was first introducted in the EX Series era, but the Reverse Holofoil pattern with the Cracked Ice Pattern was first introduced in the Platinum era. Contrary to the Cracked Ice Holofoil, the variants with the Reverse Holofoil with Cracked Ice Pattern have the exact same pattern, i.e. very rudimentary reflective parts that resemble cracked in an ice surface, but over the entire card except for the art box as the name “Reverse Holofoil” suggests.

Rising Rivals is the only set that contains Masters that have an extra Reverse Holofoil variant with the Crosshatch Pattern.

The extra subset in Rising Rivals, i.e. the RT-subset, also received a Reverse Holofoil treatment with the Cracked Ice Pattern, which is contrary to the Set Reverse Holofoil pattern, i.e. Mirror Pattern.

More details on Rising Rivals and Cracked Ice Pattern

In Rising Rivals, there are 8 Masters, where (a) in the set each Master has one variant, i.e. English, Unlimited edition, and (b) in the RT-subset each Master has at least 4 Reverse Holofoil variants with the Cracked Ice pattern, i.e.

  • (1) English, Unlimited edition,
  • (2) French, Unlimited edition,
  • (3) German, Unlimited edition, and
  • (4) Italian, Unlimited edition.

All these Reverse Holofoil variants have the Cracked Ice pattern.

Please note that there are some Masters that have one extra English Reverse Holofoil variant with the Cracked Ice Pattern, i.e.

  • Flareon E4 has the rarity “Common”, but has one extra Reverse Holofoil variant with the Cracked Ice Pattern from the Value Box,.
  • Gliscor E4 has the rarity “Common”, but has one extra Reverse Holofoil variant with the Cracked Ice Pattern from the Value Box.

For Rising Rivals, there are 8 Masters with 8 variants in English. If the other languages are added, there are 8 masters with 26 variants.

3.2. Non-Standard Set

In the non-standard sets, i.e. POP Series 9 and Rumble, there is no Set Reverse Holofoil pattern as different patterns are used through these sets. Hence, for every variant that has a Reverse Holofoil pattern in the non-standard sets there will always be a “Print”-parameter containing its “Pattern”.

As for non-standard sets there is never a “standard” Reverse Holofoil pattern and thus these variants will have (a) as Holofoil the input “Reverse Holofoil”, and (b) as Print the input of the specific pattern (e.g. Cosmos Pattern, Cracked Ice Pattern, etc.).

Please note that for there are no Masters with Reverse Holofoil variants with the Mirror Pattern, no Masters with Reverse Holofoil variants with the Crosshatch Pattern and no Masters with Reverse Holofoil variants with the Cracked Ice Pattern.

However, there is one Master, Raichu, in POP Series 9 that has an extra Reverse Holofoil variant with the Cracked Ice Pattern from the Supreme Victors Blister.

More details on POP Series 9 and Cracked Ice Pattern

In POP Series 9, there is 1 master that has 1 Reverse Holofoil variant with the Cracked Ice Pattern, i.e. English, Unlimited edition.

This Reverse Holofoil variant has the Cracked Ice Holofoil pattern.

For POP Series 9, there is 1 Master with 1 variant in English.

4. Cracked Ice Holofoil

4.1. Standard Set

The Cracked Ice Holofoil, just like in the EX Series era and the Diamond & Pearl era, appeared in the Platinum era as well. The Cracked Ice Holofoil can be described as a holofoil pattern that has very rudimentary reflective parts that resemble cracked in an ice surface, hence “Cracked Ice”. This means the artbox receives the Holofoil treatment, while the rest of the card does not (difference with the Reverse Holofoil pattern with the Cracked Ice Finish).

In Supreme Victors, the Set Reverse Holofoil Pattern is the Mirror Pattern. However, there are three masters with one extra variant each with the Cracked Ice Holofoil. The first Master, Garchomp, has one extra variant with the Cracked Ice Holofoil from the 2009 Fall Collector’s Tin. The second Master, Metagross, has one extra variant with the Cracked Ice Holofoil from the Evolutions Pack. The third master, Rayquaza, has one extra variant with the Cracked Ice Holofoil from the 2009 Fall Collector’s Tin.

More details on Supreme Victors and Cracked Ice Holofoil

In Supreme Victors, there are 3 Masters, where each Master has 1 variants with the Cracked Ice Holofoil pattern, i.e. English, Unlimited edition.

All these variants have the Cracked Ice Holofoil pattern.

For Supreme Victors, there are 3 Masters with 3 variants in English.

In Arceus, the Set Reverse Holofoil Pattern is the Mirror Pattern. However, there is one master, Charizard, that has one extra variant with the Cracked Ice Holofoil Pattern from the 2009 Fall Collector’s Tin.

More details on Arceus and Cracked Ice Holofoil

In Arceus, there is 1 Master that has 1 variant with the Cracked Ice Holofoil pattern, i.e. English, Unlimited edition.

All these variants have the Cracked Ice Holofoil pattern.

For Arceus, there is 1 Master with 1 variants in English.

4.2. Non-Standard Set

Only in POP Series 9, there is one Master, Rotom, that has one extra variant with the Cracked Ice Holofoil. For the rest, there are no Masters with a variant with the Cracked Ice Holofoil.

More details on POP Series 9 and Cracked Ice Holofoil

In POP Series 9, there is 1 master that has 1 variant with the Cracked Ice Holooil, i.e. English, Unlimited edition.

This variant has the Cracked Ice Holofoil.

For POP Series 9, there is 1 Master with 1 variant in English.

Conclusion

In the Platinum era, the Refractor Holofoil and Sheen Holofoil disappeared again. There was one new Reverse Holofoil finish, i.e. Cracked Ice Finish. For the first time, some masters have more than one variant with the different Reverse Holofoil pattern finishes. For the non-standard sets, there are (1) some special variants with Cosmos Holofoil, (2) one single variant with the Cracked Ice Holofoil, and (3) some special variants with the Reverse Holofoil pattern with the Cracked Ice Finish.

This covers all the different Holofoil patterns and Reverse Holofoil finishes in the Platinum era. If you have found any inconsistencies, mistakes or have any other comments, please do let me know on [email protected].

I hope this one was helpful, like the previous era’s! I hope to see you on the next one discussing the Platinum era.

Tom