The Wizards of the Coast era

The Wizards of the Coast era, often shortened to the WotC era, is the period when the company Wizards of the Coast published Pokémon cards in English. It ran from the launch of Base Set in 1999 to 2003, when publishing passed to Pokémon USA. Many of the best-known collectibles in the hobby come from this period.

The sets of the period

The era comprises Base Set, Jungle, Fossil, Base Set 2, Team Rocket, Gym Heroes and Gym Challenge, Neo Genesis, Neo Discovery, Neo Revelation and Neo Destiny, Legendary Collection, Expedition, Aquapolis and Skyridge. The list can differ slightly depending on whether special releases and promos are counted; see the eras of the Pokémon TCG for the wider division.

What marks the cards

• Several sets exist in a 1st Edition with its own stamp, and Base Set also has the Shadowless printing.
• Standard printings are called Unlimited and are far more common.
• The cards have their own design and simpler rules than modern cards.
• Skyridge and Aquapolis are among the last sets of the era and are known for their holo cards.

Why the period stands strong

Many collectors grew up with these cards, and interest is shaped by nostalgia. At the same time the cards are old, and few have survived in good condition. That creates a market where condition is decisive and where grading companies' population reports are used actively. None of this guarantees anything about price development, which depends on demand, condition and supply.

English or Japanese

Wizards published English sets based on cards first released in Japan. Japanese cards from the same period have their own sets and features; see English and Japanese cards. Many of the designs were later brought back as reprints, but these look different from the originals.

A caveat

Older cards are among the most counterfeited, and stamps and printings must be checked against a reliable source. You can look up sets and cards in the card catalog.

In summary

The Wizards era is the first English period of the Pokémon TCG, and it frames many of the hobby's terms: first edition, shadowless and Unlimited. Knowing the sets and printings makes descriptions of older cards easier to understand. Since there is plenty of documentation, most cards can be compared against known references. Remember that age alone does not decide interest; condition, artwork and Pokémon matter a great deal.