What is an SIR in Pokémon Cards?

Barno

Pokémon collector since the 90s

If you've spent any time in Pokémon communities, TikTok comments, or eBay listings, you've probably seen the letters "SIR".

SIR is short for Special Illustration Rare, a rarity tier that sits right near the top of the modern Pokémon TCG rarity ladder. It was introduced with the Scarlet & Violet base set in March 2023 and has been a fixture of every English-language set since.

This guide shares what a Pokémon SIR is, how often you can pull one (and how to identify whether you have), and what they’re worth.

What is a Pokémon SIR card?

A Pokémon SIR card is a Special Illustration Rare. It’s a top-tier rarity featuring an ex Pokémon in full-bleed, borderless artwork that breaks free of the standard card frame.

You can spot a Pokémon SIR by the double gold star symbol in the corner. SIRs pull far less often than most cards in a pack (sometimes 1 in several hundred), which is why they're usually among the most valuable and sought-after cards in any modern set.

Here’s me pulling two SIRs — the Mega Darkrai Ex and the Mega Zerora Ex — from Pitch Black 😮

How to identify a Pokémon SIR

Special Illustration Rares always feature an ex Pokémon, but instead of the standard card layout, the artwork breaks completely free of the usual border. On an SIR, the Pokémon is illustrated as part of a full scene rather than posed against a plain background.

If you've pulled a card and you're not sure whether it's an SIR, check:

1. The artwork. Is it a full scene with no visible card border? SIRs are always full-art.

2. The Pokémon. SIRs always feature an "ex" Pokémon — check for "ex" after the name on the card.

3. The star symbol. Look at the bottom corner for two gold stars.

A single gold star means you're looking at an Illustration Rare (IR) instead — full-art, but for a non-ex Pokémon, and considerably more common.

Top Pokémon SIRs: Mega Charizard X Ex, Pikachu (or Treekachu), and Mega Greninja EX.

SIR vs IR vs Hyper Rare: What's the Difference?

These three get mixed up constantly, so here's the quick version:

• Illustration Rare (IR) – full-art, non-ex Pokémon, single gold star, much easier to pull.

• Special Illustration Rare (SIR) – full-art, ex Pokémon, double gold star, a genuine chase card.

• Hyper Rare – gold border and metallic foil across the entire card, including the artwork itself. A different aesthetic to SIRs, and often chased separately for set completion.

Why are Pokémon SIRs so Valuable?

Three things stack together to drive SIR prices up:

• Low pull rates. Depending on the set and the specific card, SIRs can pull anywhere from roughly 1 in 90 packs up to 1 in 500+ for the biggest chase cards.

• Standout artwork. SIRs are treated as the visual centrepiece of a set, and artists are given real creative freedom with them.

• Demand from both players and collectors. Because SIRs feature ex Pokémon, competitive players want them too, on top of collector demand.

The most expensive Pokémon SIRs right now

As of August 2026, the most expensive Pokémon SIRs are:

SIR	Set	Raw price	Ace 10 price	PSA 10 price
Pikachu ex (Treekachu)	Ascended Heroes	X	X	X
Umbreon ex	Prismatic Evolutions	X	X	X
Charizard ex	Scarlet & Violet 151	X	X	X
Mega Gardevoir ex	Mega Evolution	X	X	X
Mew ex (Bubble Mew)	Paldean Fates	X	X	X

💡 We pull Pokémon pricing details from Pulse TCG. It’s an app for UK collectors where you can keep track of your own collection and check UK market rates. Use code BARNO for your first month free!*

*This post may contain affiliate links, which means we earn commission if you buy through them. We only recommend products/apps we love and use ourselves.

SIRs in Pokémon TCG: FAQ

How rare is a sir Pokémon?
Common SIRs pull at roughly 1 in 90–150 packs, while chase SIRs — like the Terapagos ex SIR from Stellar Crown — pull as low as 1 in 540 packs. SIR rates have measurably tightened since Surging Sparks compared to earlier Scarlet & Violet sets, so newer sets tend to be harder to pull from than older ones.

What are SIR and SAR in Pokémon?
SIR (Special Illustration Rare) is the English-set naming; SAR (Special Art Rare) is the equivalent rarity used in Japanese sets. Both feature the same full-bleed alternate artwork on ex Pokémon. Both mean the same thing.

Is UR or SAR better in Pokémon?
It depends what "better" means. Ultra Rare (UR) cards are more common gold-bordered ex/V/VSTAR/GX cards with metallic foil across the whole card. SAR cards have unique scene-based artwork and are considerably rarer and more valuable on average. For value and collectibility, SAR generally beats UR.

How to tell if your Pokémon card is an SIR?
Check three things:

1. The artwork should be full-bleed with no visible border

2. The Pokémon should be an "ex" (check the name)

3. The bottom corner should show two gold stars side by side

Are SIR Pokémon cards worth grading?
Generally yes, if the card is clean. That said, grading costs and turnaround eat into thin margins — for SIRs trading under £20–30, the grading fee can outweigh the value bump from a slab, so it's worth checking raw vs graded comps for that specific SIR card before sending it off.

Do SIR cards hold their value over time?
IChase cards from popular sets (Charizard, Umbreon, Pikachu-type cards) are the ones most likely to hold value long-term.

What was the first SIR card ever printed?
SIR cards were introduced with the Scarlet & Violet base set on 31st March 2023. SIRs replaced the older Alternate Art category from the Sword & Shield era, and the base set's Gardevoir ex SIR is generally regarded as the set's top chase card from that first release.

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August 11, 2026