Scarlet & Violet Base: How to Identify Cards From This Set

• This set introduced the Pokémon ex mechanic (a revival of the old 'EX' concept) and the first Generation IX Pokémon.
• Starting with this set, the traditional pictorial expansion symbol system was replaced by printed alphanumeric expansion codes (e.g. 'SVI') alongside a language code.
• Card borders switch from the previous yellow border to gray, matching the Japanese card design going forward, and this is the first set to carry Regulation Mark G.
• An independent card database confirms card No. 1 of this set is marked Regulation Mark G.

• Scarlet ex / Violet ex Starter Sets: The English 'Scarlet & Violet' set is a merger of the Japanese 'Scarlet ex • Violet ex' expansion with three separate Japanese 'ex Starter Sets'; a Japanese Starter Set card can carry a different card number/print than its English Scarlet & Violet counterpart.

Bulbapedia's own card-list template calls (viewed directly in the page source) show Regulation Mark 'G' on every entry of this set, matching the independent limitlesstcg.com listing and a secondary source (TheGamer's rotation guide) that names Scarlet & Violet as the first set to use mark G (that article mis-states the year as 2022; the verified release date is March 31, 2023).

• 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.

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.