Random Basic Pack (TCG)

The Random Basic Pack (Japanese: ランダムベーシックパック Random Basic Pack) is an introductory deck released in conjunction with the HeartGold & SoulSilver Collection of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. It was released in Japan only and contains a random assortment of cards from the set.

The deck consists of 60 cards, 30 of which can be any of the Pokémon or Trainer cards found in both the HeartGold and SoulSilver subsets that make up the expansion (including Great Pokémon and Pokémon LEGEND). The other 30 are a fixed selection of Basic Energy cards. Also included is a bonus promotional Gyarados card, which can only be obtained in the Random Basic Pack in Japan.

• This deck is unusual as half of the cards are completely random, unlike English decks which all contain the same pre-selected cards. This trend has been used in Japan with every first expansion in a new Generation, or the first after a transition to a new era within a Generation (previously done in Generation II with the e-Card sets). The only exception to this was in Generation III where the idea was used in half decks in the sixth expansion.
• This deck is similar to English releases such as the 2 Player Starter Set and 2 Player CD-Rom Starter Set, designed to introduce players to the new LEGEND format.
• Unlike the majority of cards found in decks in Japan, these cards have rarity symbols.
• Like other Theme Decks, the Random Basic Pack also includes a rulebook, damage counters, a custom coin and card list.