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Base set

A base set is the main numbered run of standard cards in a sports card product, as against its inserts and parallels. In Pokémon, Base Set is also the name of the first set, released in English in 1999.

Also called Base card.

Sports cardsPokémon
The base set among a product's cards Three generic sports cards: a base card, an insert with a design of its own, and a parallel with a coating. Base set: The main numbered run, from 1 upward; Inserts: Subsets outside the base set, with a name and look of their own; Parallels: Base cards again in another color or finish, often numbered. The tile for Base set is outlined. Base set The main numbered run, from 1 upward Inserts Subsets outside the base set, with a name and look of their own Parallels Base cards again in another color or finish, often numbered

In more detail

Base cards are the common cards of a product's main set, usually numbered on the back in one run from 1 upward. Most cards in a pack are base cards. Inserts form subsets outside the base set, while parallels are new versions of base cards in other colors or finishes.

Upper Deck's 2025-26 Series 1 hockey cards show the shape of one: the first 250 cards of its base set, 198 of them veterans, 49 Young Guns rookies and 3 checklists, with Silver parallels made of the whole base set.

In Pokémon, Base Set is a proper name. Bulbapedia lists it as the first main expansion, released in English on January 9, 1999, with 102 cards, and TCGplayer's guide says it is the one English set without an expansion symbol. When a Pokémon listing says Base Set, it means that release, not a product's standard cards.

Related terms

Where Rip.fan covers it

More in Pokémon cards and in Sports cards.

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