What Is Trading Card Rarity?
Trading card rarity is a classification system that controls how often a specific card appears in sealed product like booster packs. Rarer cards have lower pull rates, better artwork, and stronger gameplay abilities - making them more valuable to collectors and players alike.
Why It Matters
Rarity drives the entire trading card economy. It creates the thrill of pack opening (will this be the pull?), establishes secondary market value, and gives collectors something to chase. Without rarity tiers, every card would feel interchangeable - and nobody lines up at midnight for interchangeable.
By the Numbers
The standard Pokemon TCG rarity breakdown: Common cards make up about 55-60% of a booster pack, Uncommon 25-30%, Rare Holo about 10%, and ultra-rare variants (Full Art, Alt Art, Secret Rare) under 5%. A single Secret Rare Charizard can be worth 100x more than a Common Pidgey from the same set.
Going Deeper
MakeACard uses a 5-tier rarity system that mirrors real TCG conventions: Common (50%), Uncommon (30%), Rare (10%), Holo Rare (7%), and Secret Rare (3%). Your rarity is rolled at generation time - the AI doesn't decide, probability does. Higher rarity cards get enhanced visual effects: holographic shimmer for Holo Rares, full rainbow borders for Secret Rares.
“Rarity is the engine of the entire trading card economy. Without tiered scarcity, you cannot create the aspirational pull that keeps collectors engaged.”
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