Chasing the Biggest Hits in Pokémon 151: How Rare Are They?

There’s a reason Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—151 still gets collectors excited.

Instead of introducing a new group of Pokémon, this set brings the adventure back to where it all started: Kanto. From Bulbasaur and Charmander to Mewtwo and Mew, all 151 original Pokémon return with modern artwork, Pokémon ex cards, Illustration Rares, and some seriously impressive chase cards.

But if you’re opening the English version of Pokémon 151, there’s one question that matters most:

How likely are you to actually pull one of the special cards?

Let’s look at the odds.

How Often Can You Pull an Illustration Rare?

Illustration Rares are some of the most fun cards to chase in Pokémon 151.

Cards like Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Psyduck, Dragonair, and others feature artwork that gives each Pokémon its own scene and personality.

Based on TCGplayer’s large pack-opening sample, Illustration Rares appeared approximately once every 12 packs.

That means they’re definitely obtainable, but you shouldn’t expect one every few packs.

If you’re opening a six-pack 151 Booster Bundle, using that estimated rate gives you roughly a 41% chance of finding at least one Illustration Rare.

Of course, probability doesn’t guarantee results. One person could find an Illustration Rare in their first pack while someone else could open several bundles without seeing one.

That’s part of the chase.

What About Ultra Rares?

Ultra Rares are another step up.

These include full-art Pokémon ex and Trainer cards, and TCGplayer’s opening data estimated them at approximately 1 in every 16 packs.

With six packs, that works out to roughly a 32% chance of pulling at least one Ultra Rare based on the estimated per-pack rate.

And remember: pulling an Ultra Rare is one challenge. Pulling the exact Pokémon you want is another.

Want to see what your packs are hiding? Shop Pokémon 151 at The Drop Spot and start your Kanto chase.

How Hard Is It to Pull a Special Illustration Rare?

Now we get to the cards that can make a pack opening unforgettable.

Special Illustration Rares, or SIRs, feature premium full-card artwork and include some of the biggest chase cards in Pokémon 151.

Based on TCGplayer’s testing, the overall Special Illustration Rare pull rate was approximately 1 in 32 packs.

If you open six packs and apply that estimated rate, your chance of finding at least one SIR is around 17%.

That makes SIRs difficult enough to feel special while still leaving you with a real chance every time you open a new product.

But what if you want one particular SIR?

That’s where things get much tougher.

How Rare Is Charizard ex?

For many collectors, Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare is one of the biggest cards to chase in the entire set.

TCGplayer’s opening sample estimated the odds of pulling the Charizard ex SIR from an individual pack at approximately 0.44%.

That’s less than half of one percent per pack.

This is a great example of why there’s such a big difference between pulling any SIR and pulling one exact card.

You could hit a Special Illustration Rare and still get Venusaur ex, Blastoise ex, Zapdos ex, Alakazam ex, or another card instead of Charizard.

And that’s what keeps every pack interesting.

Can Pokémon 151 Have a “God Pack”?

The English version of Pokémon 151 also has something unusual.

Collectors sometimes call them “Demigod Packs.”

These rare packs can contain the Illustration Rare and Special Illustration Rare cards from an entire evolutionary line. That means one pack could contain the special Charmander, Charmeleon, and Charizard ex cards together—or the equivalent Bulbasaur or Squirtle evolution line.

There is no official published pull rate telling collectors exactly how often these packs appear, so they should be treated as an extremely rare surprise rather than something to expect.

Imagine opening one without knowing what’s coming.

That’s the kind of pack collectors remember.

Is Pokémon 151 Worth Opening?

Pokémon 151 combines nostalgia with the thrill of modern Pokémon collecting.

You’re not just chasing rarity. You’re chasing Pokémon many collectors have known since the beginning.

Maybe your packs reveal an Illustration Rare. Maybe you hit an Ultra Rare. Maybe an SIR shows up when you least expect it. Or maybe that Charizard you’ve been chasing is sitting in the next pack.

Nothing is guaranteed.

But that mystery is exactly what makes opening Pokémon 151 so much fun.

Ready to go back to Kanto? Shop Pokémon 151 at The Drop Spot and discover what’s inside.