Paldean Fates: How to Identify Cards From This Set

Paldean Fates (2024-01-26): 3 identification checks, 1 editions and variants, and what it is confused with, quoted from Pokémon, Bulbapedia and grading-company sources.

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At a glance

Type: Expansion set
Released: 2024-01-26
Cards in set: 091/091 main set; Shiny Rare secret cards continue the same numbering from 092/091 through 245/091 (245 cards total)
Set code: PAF

How to tell a card is from Paldean Fates

Unlike Shining Fates and Crown Zenith, this set's Shiny secret cards are NOT given a separate 'SV'/'GG'-style prefix; they simply continue the main set's numbering past 091 (all still printed as 'xxx/091') up to 245/091.
Regular Shiny Pokémon cards use a distinct 'S' rarity label, while Shiny Pokémon ex cards reuse their prior Full Art artwork under an 'SSR' rarity label.
An independent card database confirms card No. 1 of this set carries Regulation Mark G.

Editions and variants

Charizard ex Special Collection exclusive Cosmos Holo print: Card 007/091 (Charmander) exists in a Cosmos Holo finish found only in the 'Charizard ex Special Collection' product, in addition to its regular pack-pulled print.

Often confused with

[Shining Fates](/lookup/pokemon-sets/shining-fates): All three sets share the '[Adjective] Fates' branding and a Shiny-Pokémon secret subset, but only Paldean Fates numbers its shiny cards by simply continuing the main sequence (092/091 onward) instead of using a separate 'SV' prefix.

Notes on this entry

The set's own Bulbapedia page contains an editor comment (hidden HTML comment, not shown to readers) claiming a '130+-card Shiny Vault subset', but the live card list on the same page does not use any 'SV'-prefixed numbering — all 245 cards share the same '/091' denominator, with Shiny Rare cards starting at 092/091. This record follows the actual card-list numbering rather than the outdated hidden comment.

Checks that apply to any Pokémon card

Bottom-left or bottom-right corner: the set symbol and the collector number (e.g. 4/102) tell you the set; older cards have no symbol at all, which itself narrows them to Base Set.
Left of the number: a 1st Edition stamp, if present, sits below the art on WOTC-era cards.
Regulation mark (a letter in a box near the bottom, D through H so far) dates modern cards to a two-year window.
Back of the card: the blue Poké Ball back has changed little since 1999; a washed-out, blurry or wrongly colored back is the first sign of a fake.

How to photograph it for identification

Lay the card flat on a dark surface in daylight, straight on, with the whole card in frame, then a close-up of the bottom edge where the set symbol, number and any edition stamp sit. Tilt holo cards under the light for a second shot to show the foil pattern. Photograph the back too. The app reads the card and set; the edition and rarity checks above tell you which version you have.

FAQ

How do I know if my card is from Paldean Fates?

Unlike Shining Fates and Crown Zenith, this set's Shiny secret cards are NOT given a separate 'SV'/'GG'-style prefix; they simply continue the main set's numbering past 091 (all still printed as 'xxx/091') up to 245/091.

What versions of Paldean Fates exist?

Charizard ex Special Collection exclusive Cosmos Holo print: Card 007/091 (Charmander) exists in a Cosmos Holo finish found only in the 'Charizard ex Special Collection' product, in addition to its regular pack-pulled print.

How many cards are in Paldean Fates?

091/091 main set; Shiny Rare secret cards continue the same numbering from 092/091 through 245/091 (245 cards total)

Is my card real?

Compare the back to a card you know is genuine, check that the set symbol and number match a real card in that set, and look at print quality under magnification. The fake-card guide lists the tells in order; a grading service is the final check.

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