Base

With 16 Rare Holos alongside a broad base of Commons and Uncommons, the set offers both approachable collecting and a smaller tier of premium finishes. Charizard (base1-4) is also the set’s most valuable card in the available pricing data, creating a noticeable spread across the checklist.

Released
Jan 1999
Cards
102 printed
Illustrators
4
Top card
Charizard $463
Series
Base
Era
Founding generation

69 unique Pokémon 69 Pokémon · 26 Trainer · 7 Energy Average market $13.20

§ 01 — The full checklist

Browse the 102 cards.

Filter by type, rarity, illustrator.

Showing 102 of 102 cards
Rarity
Alakazam
Blastoise
Chansey
Charizard
Clefairy
Gyarados
Hitmonchan
Machamp
Magneton
Mewtwo
Nidoking
Ninetales
Poliwrath
Raichu
Venusaur
§ 02 — About Base

A look inside the set.

Base presents a tightly organized 102-card set with a straightforward mix of Pokémon (69), Trainers (26), and Energy (7). Its rarity profile is evenly split between Common and Uncommon, with a defined layer of Rare and Rare Holo cards. Across the set, the dominant look is traditional and cartoonish, favoring simple, clear compositions that keep the subject centered and easy to read.

The mood stays largely playful, with energetic and lighthearted notes appearing throughout, supported by vibrant and bright color choices and occasional limited or pastel palettes. Among the visual highlights, Mewtwo (base1-10) stands out for its overall presentation, while Charizard (base1-4) and Gyarados (base1-6) also register as key showcase pieces. The artwork is shaped primarily by Ken Sugimori, Keiji Kinebuchi, and Mitsuhiro Arita, whose combined output defines the set’s clean character focus and consistent illustration language.

I · Visual identity

The visual language is direct and character-forward: simple, clear layouts with focused, often centered subjects and minimal distraction. Color tends toward vibrant and bright with frequent contrasting accents, while the overall mood reads playful and lighthearted, occasionally shifting into dynamic or mysterious beats without leaving the set’s clean, classic presentation.

II · Illustrators

Ken Sugimori and Keiji Kinebuchi account for the majority of the set’s illustrations, establishing its consistent, readable character staging and traditional-to-cartoon range. Mitsuhiro Arita adds a smaller but significant portion of the artwork, while Tomoaki Imakuni appears once, rounding out the set’s compact roster of four credited illustrators.

§ 04 — Entry points

Two ways in.

By the hands behind it, or by the Pokémon featured. Both threads continue across the wider Artchu catalogue.

Notable illustrators from Base

All illustrators →

Notable Pokémon featured

All Pokémon →