Great Encounters cover card
Great Encounters symbol

Great Encounters

Diamond & Pearl · 2008/02/01 · 106/106 cards
A Pokémon-forward set with minimal Trainer presence, defined by playful, lighthearted illustration and straightforward, readable compositions. Vibrant color dominates, with occasional mysterious notes for contrast.
Cards106
Pokémon100
Trainers6
Energy0
Illustrators24
Unique Pokémon99
Avg art score64.08
Median art score62.00
Priced cards106
Avg market price$4.47
Median market price$0.70
Collector note
With 106 priced cards and a rarity mix that includes a small LV.X tier, the set offers both broad, accessible collecting and a few higher-rarity focal points. Palkia LV.X (dp4-106) sits at the top of the set’s value range, while much of the checklist remains comparatively modest.
Visual identity
The set’s visual language is bright and character-centric: vibrant and pastel palettes, clean outlines, and simple, focused compositions that keep subjects readable at a glance. Playful and lighthearted moods lead, often paired with balanced layouts; when the tone shifts, it tends toward cooler, more mysterious atmospheres rather than heavy complexity.

About Great Encounters

Great Encounters presents a compact 106-card collection with a clear emphasis on Pokémon illustration: 100 Pokémon cards and only six Trainers, with no Energy cards in the set. The rarity spread is broad—Commons and Uncommons form the backbone, supported by a measured run of Rares, Rare Holos, and a small group of LV.X cards. Across the set, the dominant look is cartoonish and traditional, guided by playful, lighthearted moods and a preference for simple, balanced, focused framing.

Within that bright baseline, a few selections introduce a more mysterious register, giving the gallery subtle contrast. Darkrai (dp4-3) stands out as a visual highlight, alongside Blaziken (dp4-1) and Cresselia LV.X (dp4-103), each offering a distinct energy within the set’s generally clean, character-forward staging. The illustrator roster is led by Ken Sugimori and supported by Daisuke Ito, Mitsuhiro Arita, and Kagemaru Himeno, whose combined output helps keep the collection cohesive while still varied in texture and finish.

Illustrators

Ken Sugimori anchors the set with the largest share of illustrations, establishing a consistent, approachable baseline. Daisuke Ito and Mitsuhiro Arita add variety through differing finishes and staging, while Kagemaru Himeno contributes additional character-forward scenes that align with the set’s playful, clear compositional preferences.

Format

Printed total106
Set total106
SeriesDiamond & Pearl
Release2008/02/01

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Masakazu Fukuda
Kagemaru Himeno
Ryo Ueda
Daisuke Ito
Shizurow
Shizurow
Ryo Ueda
Suwama Chiaki
Daisuke Ito
Kent Kanetsuna
Daisuke Ito
Daisuke Ito
Kagemaru Himeno
Kent Kanetsuna
Ken Sugimori
Atsuko Nishida
Hironobu Yoshida
Ryo Ueda
Ryo Ueda
Kouki Saitou
Atsuko Nishida
Kanako Eo
Kagemaru Himeno
Ken Sugimori
Kouki Saitou
Midori Harada
Naoyo Kimura
Daisuke Ito
Hiroki Fuchino
Ryo Ueda
Midori Harada
Daisuke Ito
Kouki Saitou
Ken Sugimori
Kagemaru Himeno
Masakazu Fukuda
Daisuke Ito
Daisuke Ito
Masakazu Fukuda
Kagemaru Himeno
Kenkichi Toyama
Takao Unno
Kouki Saitou
Kent Kanetsuna
Mitsuhiro Arita
Ken Sugimori
Midori Harada
Mitsuhiro Arita