Pokémon SP (TCG): Difference between revisions

'''Pokémon SP''' are a variant of Pokémon found in the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]]. They debuted in the {{TCG|Platinum|Galactic's Conquest}} expansion, the first of the Pokémon Card Game DPt series. They are apparently the Generation IV replacement of the {{TCG|owner's Pokémon}} seen in earlier expansions.

Pokémon SP (an abbreviated form of Special Pokémon) can seemingly vary depending on the theme of the expansion in which they appear. All Pokémon SP are Basic Pokémon and have an "SP" logo in the bottom-left corner of the illustration box. Pokémon SP will also have some sort of addition in the name in order to differentiate them from other Pokémon.

The first variant of SP Pokémon is '''Pokémon G''', which was seen in Galactic's Conquest. Pokémon G cards are classified as Galactic's Pokémon (this text replaces the Pokédex data in the illustration bar) and have an icon of their respective Team Galactic owner in the bottom-right corner of the illustration box. All Pokémon G also have a "G" at the end of their name in order to differentiate them from other Pokémon. Several examples include:

* {{P|Probopass}} G cannot evolve from {{P|Nosepass}} because it is a Basic Pokémon and because its name is not Probopass.

* {{P|Darkrai}} G cannot be leveled-up into Darkrai LV.X, as its name is not Darkrai.

* {{P|Dialga}} G cannot be leveled-up into Dialga LV.X, but it can be levelled-up into Dialga G LV.X.

* Dialga cannot be leveled-up into Dialga G LV.X.

* One may have 4 Dialga or Dialga LV.X in a deck as well as 4 Dialga G or Dialga G LV.X.

| class="l" | Skuntank G

| class="l" | Bronzong G

| class="l" | Toxicroak G

| class="l" | Weavile G

| class="l" | Dialga G LV.X

| class="l" | Palkia G LV.X

The second variant of SP Pokémon to be announced was '''Pokémon GL''', which was seen in {{TCG|Bonds to the End of Time}}. Pokémon GL cards are classified as Gym Leader's Pokémon (similar to Galactic's Pokémon, this text replaces the Pokédex data in the illustration bar) and have an icon of the Gym Leader who uses them in the bottom-right corner of the illustration box. All Pokémon GL also have a "GL" at the end of their name in order to differentiate them from other Pokémon. Several examples include:

* {{P|Roserade}} GL cannot evolve from {{P|Roselia}} because it is a Basic Pokémon and because its name is not Roserade.

* {{P|Raichu}} GL cannot be levelled-up into Raichu LV.X because its name is not Raichu.

* {{P|Luxray}} cannot be levelled-up into Luxray GL LV.X because its name is not Luxray GL.

* One may have 4 Luxray GL or Luxray GL LV.X in a deck as well as 4 Luxray.

Another variant of SP Pokémon, '''Pokémon 4''', was first seen alongside Pokémon GL, and first debuted in the {{TCG|Infernape vs Gallade SP Deck Kit}}. Pokémon 4 cards are classified as "Pokémon of the Elite 4" and have an icon of the member of the Elite Four who uses them in the bottom-right corner of the illustration box. All Pokémon 4 also have a "4" at the end of their name in order to differentiate them from other Pokémon. The level shown on all Pokémon 4 cards (excluding Pokémon 4 LV.X) is the same as their levels when used in [[Pokémon Platinum]].

| class="l" | Golem 4

| class="l" | Rapidash 4

| class="l" | Mr. Mime 4

| class="l" | Flareon 4

| class="l" | Espeon 4

| class="l" | Scizor 4

| class="l" | Heracross 4

| class="l" | Houndoom 4

| class="l" | Whiscash 4

| class="l" | Infernape 4

| class="l" | Infernape 4 LV.X

| class="l" | Vespiquen 4

| class="l" | Bronzong 4

| class="l" | Hippowdon 4

| class="l" | Drapion 4

| class="l" | Rhyperior 4

| class="l" | Yanmega 4

| class="l" | Gliscor 4

| class="l" | Gallade 4

| class="l" | Gallade 4 LV.X