Base Set (TCG)

 

TCG expansions
Jungle →
Base Set
拡張パック
Pokémon TCG logo.png
Cards in set English: 102
Japanese: 102
Set number English: 1
Japanese: 1
Release date English: January 9, 1999
Japanese: October 20, 1996
Theme Decks

Overgrowth (WaterGrass)
Zap! (LightningPsychic)
Brushfire (FireGrass)
Blackout (WaterFighting)

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Expansion Pack
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Pokémon Jungle

Base Set (Japanese: 拡張パック Expansion Pack) is the name given to the first main expansion of cards of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The set is the first to feature Generation I Pokémon in the card game.

Blurb

Put the power in your hand with the Pokémon trading card game!

The hugely successful Pokémon Game Boy® game was just the beginning of the Pokémon phenomenon. Now, with the trading card game, you can train your favorite Pokémon to pit them against a rival's Pokémon in a fight to the finish! Increase their powers with Energy, and your Pokémon will launch the special attacks you've seen in the popular Pokémon animated TV show!

Choose your favorite Pokémon from the random cards in this booster pack to customize a Pokémon theme deck or starter set. Or design your own undefeatable deck by combining prized Pokémon and trainers. The possibilities are endless!

Do you have the skills to become the world's number-one Pokémon Master? Master the Pokémon trading card game and find out!

Information

 
An advertisement for Expansion Pack

Base Set is the name given to the first main expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. In Japan, it was released as Expansion Pack, the first expansion in the Pokémon Card Game. It is based on Pokémon Red, Blue, and Green, featuring Generation I Pokémon. The English expansion was released on January 9, 1999, while the Japanese expansion was released on October 20, 1996. Although not part of the TCG, Bandai Pokémon Cards Part 1 Green & Part 2 Red (September 1996) is regarded as pre-dating the Japanese Base set, and therefore is the oldest known Pokémon Card release.

 
Japanese, 1st Edition, Shadowless, Unlimited, 4th Print

The Shadowless print mirrored the 1st Edition print except for the 1st Edition logo. All cards in the 1st Edition and Shadowless runs were printed with thinner HP and attack text. These cards were without drop shadows for the artwork window. The fourth print run mirrored the Unlimited print, with the only difference being the copyright date, which reads "1999-2000".

The English release are ordered by card type (Pokémon, Trainer, and Energy cards), then by rarity (Rare Holo, Rare, Uncommon, Common), lastly, alphabetically by card name. The Japanese release are ordered by the types first, then ascending rarity (Rare and Rare Holo are considered the same), then National Pokédex number, followed by Trainer and Energy cards.

Additional cards
No. Image Card name Type Promotion
8/102   Machamp   Cosmos Holo 2-Player CD-ROM Starter Set exclusive
58/102   Pikachu   "Red Cheek" E3 Stamp - E3 Convention (May 1999)
58/102   Pikachu   "Yellow Cheek" E3 Stamp - Nintendo Power Magazine (September 1999)
58/102   Pikachu   "PokéTour 1999" Stamp - PokéTour 1999 (Australia)
 



Corrected error cards
No. Image Card name Type Promotion
2/102   Blastoise   Printed without the word "Stage"
12/102   Ninetales   Shadowless Ninetales missing attack damage
14/102   Raichu   Pre-release stamp
17/102   Beedrill   "D.efending" typo
42/102   Wartortle   Wartortle in its Evolution box
47/102   Diglett   Attack energy cost symbols rotated 90 degrees
58/102   Pikachu   Red Cheeks
58/102   Pikachu   "1st“ and the letter "d“ in "1st edition" missing
102/102   Water Energy   No space between the margin and the water symbol, along with "ENERGY"
 


Set lists

Base Set
No. Image Card name Type Rarity
1/102   Alakazam     Promotion
2/102   Blastoise     Promotion
3/102   Chansey     Promotion
4/102   Charizard     Promotion
5/102   Clefairy     Promotion
6/102   Gyarados     Promotion
7/102   Hitmonchan     Promotion
8/102   Machamp     Promotion
9/102   Magneton     Promotion
10/102   Mewtwo     Promotion
11/102   Nidoking     Promotion
12/102   Ninetales     Promotion
13/102   Poliwrath     Promotion
14/102   Raichu     Promotion
15/102   Venusaur     Promotion
16/102   Zapdos     Promotion
17/102   Beedrill     Promotion
18/102   Dragonair     Promotion
19/102   Dugtrio     Promotion
20/102   Electabuzz     Promotion
21/102   Electrode     Promotion
22/102   Pidgeotto     Promotion
23/102   Arcanine     Promotion
24/102   Charmeleon     Promotion
25/102   Dewgong     Promotion
26/102   Dratini     Promotion
27/102   Farfetch'd     Promotion
28/102   Growlithe     Promotion
29/102   Haunter     Promotion
30/102   Ivysaur     Promotion
31/102   Jynx     Promotion
32/102   Kadabra     Promotion
33/102   Kakuna     Promotion
34/102   Machoke     Promotion
35/102   Magikarp     Promotion
36/102   Magmar     Promotion
37/102   Nidorino     Promotion
38/102   Poliwhirl     Promotion
39/102   Porygon     Promotion
40/102   Raticate     Promotion
41/102   Seel     Promotion
42/102   Wartortle     Promotion
43/102   Abra     Promotion
44/102   Bulbasaur     Promotion
45/102   Caterpie     Promotion
46/102   Charmander     Promotion
47/102   Diglett     Promotion
48/102   Doduo     Promotion
49/102   Drowzee     Promotion
50/102   Gastly     Promotion
51/102   Koffing     Promotion
52/102   Machop     Promotion
53/102   Magnemite     Promotion
54/102   Metapod     Promotion
55/102   Nidoran♂     Promotion
56/102   Onix     Promotion
57/102   Pidgey     Promotion
58/102   Pikachu     Promotion
59/102   Poliwag     Promotion
60/102   Ponyta     Promotion
61/102   Rattata     Promotion
62/102   Sandshrew     Promotion
63/102   Squirtle     Promotion
64/102   Starmie     Promotion
65/102   Staryu     Promotion
66/102   Tangela     Promotion
67/102   Voltorb     Promotion
68/102   Vulpix     Promotion
69/102   Weedle     Promotion
70/102   Clefairy Doll T   Promotion
71/102   Computer Search T   Promotion
72/102   Devolution Spray T   Promotion
73/102   Imposter Professor Oak T   Promotion
74/102   Item Finder T   Promotion
75/102   Lass T   Promotion
76/102   Pokémon Breeder T   Promotion
77/102   Pokémon Trader T   Promotion
78/102   Scoop Up T   Promotion
79/102   Super Energy Removal T   Promotion
80/102   Defender T   Promotion
81/102   Energy Retrieval T   Promotion
82/102   Full Heal T   Promotion
83/102   Maintenance T   Promotion
84/102   PlusPower T   Promotion
85/102   Pokémon Center T   Promotion
86/102   Pokémon Flute T   Promotion
87/102   Pokédex T   Promotion
88/102   Professor Oak T   Promotion
89/102   Revive T   Promotion
90/102   Super Potion T   Promotion
91/102   Bill T   Promotion
92/102   Energy Removal T   Promotion
93/102   Gust of Wind T   Promotion
94/102   Potion T   Promotion
95/102   Switch T   Promotion
96/102   Double Colorless Energy   E   Promotion
97/102   Fighting Energy   E Promotion
98/102   Fire Energy   E Promotion
99/102   Grass Energy   E Promotion
100/102   Lightning Energy   E Promotion
101/102   Psychic Energy   E Promotion
102/102   Water Energy   E Promotion
 

Expansion Pack
No. Image Card name Type Rarity
  Bulbasaur     Promotion
  Caterpie     Promotion
  Metapod     Promotion
  Weedle     Promotion
  Nidoran♂     Promotion
  Koffing     Promotion
  Tangela     Promotion
  Ivysaur     Promotion
  Kakuna     Promotion
  Nidorino     Promotion
  Venusaur     Promotion
  Beedrill     Promotion
  Nidoking     Promotion
  Charmander     Promotion
  Vulpix     Promotion
  Ponyta     Promotion
  Charmeleon     Promotion
  Growlithe     Promotion
  Arcanine     Promotion
  Magmar     Promotion
  Charizard     Promotion
  Ninetales     Promotion
  Squirtle     Promotion
  Poliwag     Promotion
  Staryu     Promotion
  Starmie     Promotion
  Wartortle     Promotion
  Poliwhirl     Promotion
  Seel     Promotion
  Dewgong     Promotion
  Magikarp     Promotion
  Blastoise     Promotion
  Poliwrath     Promotion
  Gyarados     Promotion
  Pikachu     Promotion
  Magnemite     Promotion
  Voltorb     Promotion
  Raichu     Promotion
  Magneton     Promotion
  Electrode     Promotion
  Electabuzz     Promotion
  Zapdos     Promotion
  Abra     Promotion
  Gastly     Promotion
  Drowzee     Promotion
  Kadabra     Promotion
  Haunter     Promotion
  Jynx     Promotion
  Alakazam     Promotion
  Mewtwo     Promotion
  Sandshrew     Promotion
  Diglett     Promotion
  Machop     Promotion
  Onix     Promotion
  Machoke     Promotion
  Dugtrio     Promotion
  Machamp     Promotion
  Hitmonchan     Promotion
  Pidgey     Promotion
  Rattata     Promotion
  Doduo     Promotion
  Raticate     Promotion
  Farfetch'd     Promotion
  Porygon     Promotion
  Dratini     Promotion
  Pidgeotto     Promotion
  Clefairy     Promotion
  Chansey     Promotion
  Dragonair     Promotion
  Energy Removal T   Promotion
  Potion T   Promotion
  Gust of Wind T   Promotion
  Switch T   Promotion
  Bill T   Promotion
  Super Potion T   Promotion
  Energy Retrieval T   Promotion
  Professor Oak T   Promotion
  Revive T   Promotion
  Defender T   Promotion
  Full Heal T   Promotion
  PlusPower T   Promotion
  Pokédex T   Promotion
  Pokémon Center T   Promotion
  Pokémon Flute T   Promotion
  Maintenance T   Promotion
  Devolution Spray T   Promotion
  Item Finder T   Promotion
  Super Energy Removal T   Promotion
  Impostor Professor Oak T   Promotion
  Computer Search T   Promotion
  Clefairy Doll T   Promotion
  Scoop Up T   Promotion
  Pokémon Trader T   Promotion
  Pokémon Breeder T   Promotion
  Lass T   Promotion
  Double Colorless Energy   E   Promotion
  Grass Energy   E Promotion
  Fire Energy   E Promotion
  Water Energy   E Promotion
  Lightning Energy   E Promotion
  Psychic Energy   E Promotion
  Fighting Energy   E Promotion
 

Gallery

English

English Venusaur pack (Shadowless)
English Charizard pack (Shadowless)
English Blastoise pack (Shadowless)
The Sneak-Peek Tins
English Venusaur pack (Unlimited)
English Charizard pack (Unlimited)
English Blastoise pack (Unlimited)
The Sneak-Peek Tins
English Venusaur pack (Long pack)
English Charizard pack (Long pack)
English Blastoise pack (Long pack)
The Sneak-Peek Tins
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English Base Set booster box
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Japanese

Japanese Expansion Pack pack
Artwork
The Sneak-Peek Tins
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In other languages

German Venusaur pack
German Charizard pack
German Blastoise pack
The Sneak-Peek Tins
Spanish Venusaur pack
Spanish Charizard pack
Spanish Blastoise pack
The Sneak-Peek Tins
French Venusaur pack
French Charizard pack
French Blastoise pack
The Sneak-Peek Tins
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Italian Venusaur pack
Italian Charizard pack
Italian Blastoise pack
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Brazilian Venusaur pack
Brazilian Charizard pack
Brazilian Blastoise pack
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Korean Venusaur pack
Korean Charizard pack
Korean Blastoise pack
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Chinese Venusaur pack
Chinese Charizard pack
Chinese Blastoise pack
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Languages this set is released in

The Expansion Pack is released in Japanese, of which all cards are available both with and without rarity symbol. The set without rarity symbols is believed to be the earlier or "1st Edition" print run as it contained errors that were later corrected (such as Venusaur being incorrectly printed as Pokemon #68 instead of #3). It is commonly referred to as No Rarity Base Set. The Base Set is released in English, Dutch, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, and Chinese in both 1st and unlimited edition. The English version of this set had four different variations: 1st edition Shadowless; non-1st Shadowless; unlimited edition with ©1999 copyright date; and unlimited edition with ©1999-2000 copyright date. The Holofoil cards of the English 1st edition Shadowless set can be further distinguished between thin and thick stamp variations, which refers to the width of the "1" in the 1st edition symbol. The non-holo cards in both the 1st and unlimited edition print runs of the Spanish sets are also available with ©1999-2000 copyright date: ©1999 Spanish cards were released in Spain, ©1999-2000 Spanish cards in Latin American countries. The Spanish Holofoil Rares are only available with ©1999 copyright date.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 基础版 Gēichó Báan
Mandarin 基础版 Jīchǔ Vǎn
  Dutch Basis Set
  French Set de Base
  German Grundset
  Italian Set Base
  Brazilian Portuguese Coleção Básica
  Russian Базовое Расширение Bazovoye Rasshireniye
  Spanish Edición Básica

External links


  This article is part of Project TCG, a Bulbapedia project that aims to report on every aspect of the Pokémon Trading Card Game.


Pokémon Trading Card Game expansions and releases
Bold indicates a main expansion. Italics indicate a special set. Releases that are entirely composed of prints from other releases are small.
Original Series
Wizards Black Star Promos
Pokémon Demo GameTrainer Deck ATrainer Deck B
Base Set: 2-Player Starter SetOvergrowthZap!BrushfireBlackout
Jungle: Power ReserveWater Blast
Fossil: BodyGuardLockDown
Base Set 2: 2-Player CD-ROM Starter SetGrass ChopperHot WaterLightning BugPsych Out
Team Rocket: DevastationTrouble
Gym Heroes: BrockMistyLt. SurgeErika
Thunderstorm
Pikachu World Collection 2000
Gym Challenge: SabrinaKogaBlaineGiovanni
Original Era
Unnumbered Promotional cards
Expansion Pack: Starter Deck
Pokémon Jungle
Mystery of the Fossils
Rocket Gang
Expansion Sheet 1Nivi City GymHanada City GymExpansion Sheet 2Kuchiba City GymTamamushi City Gym
Leaders' Stadium
Expansion Sheet 3Quick Starter Gift SetYamabuki City GymGuren Town Gym
Challenge from the Darkness
Southern IslandsIntro Pack