Guide / Pokemon TCG Guides / Jul 8, 2026 / 3 min
How to complete a Scarlet and Violet set
Define the Scarlet and Violet finish line first, then turn owned cards, variants, and expensive gaps into a phased set plan.
To complete a Scarlet and Violet set without buying the same cards twice, start with the numbered set list, record every card you already own, and make separate plans for regular cards, reverse holos, illustration rares, and promos.
Define the goal with the Pokemon set checklist, then turn confirmed gaps into a wishlist with the missing-card guide. Use the singles buying guide only after that list is accurate.
Quick answer
Give every slot one of four states: owned, missing, buying next, or waiting. The collector number matters more than the Pokemon name because the same character can appear several times in one era with different artwork and rarity.
| Step | What to track | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Own | Exact card, finish, language, and condition | Prevents duplicate buying |
| Need | Missing set numbers and variants | Turns a vague goal into a list |
| Prioritize | Price, scarcity, and personal importance | Keeps expensive cards in context |
| Verify | Arrival condition and binder placement | Keeps the collection record trustworthy |
Set chase board
Example Scarlet and Violet chase board: Obsidian Flames
Choose cards based on what you collect, then check sold prices from named sources before treating early prices as reliable.
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Featured chase
Use the dated market history to separate a lasting move from one noisy listing.
Charizard ex
Special Illustration Rare · EN
Strong example of why condition, source, and sold comps matter.
Marketplace price check
Checking saved data
Next step: Confirm the card version and condition before comparing prices.
Catalog source: Pokemon TCG API card record - Reviewed 2026-07-09
- Latest stored value
- Checking saved data
- Change in window
- Checking saved data
- Data points
- Checking saved data
Price history · English Near Mint asking average · 90-day window. Values are not refreshed by this page view.
Illustration rare binder run
Lower-pressure illustration targets to rank before opening more packs.
Gloom
Illustration Rare · EN
Illustration rares can finish pages while the biggest ex cards absorb most attention.
Marketplace price check
Checking saved data
Next step: Add as a lower-pressure illustration target before chasing secrets.
Catalog source: Pokemon TCG API card record - Reviewed 2026-07-10
Ninetales
Illustration Rare · EN
Recognizable Pokemon can carry more demand than nearby illustration rares.
Marketplace price check
Checking saved data
Next step: Wishlist as an art target, then compare sold references by condition.
Catalog source: Pokemon TCG API card record - Reviewed 2026-07-10
Cleffa
Illustration Rare · EN
Cute-character demand can move differently from raw rarity or competitive play.
Marketplace price check
Checking saved data
Next step: Use as a wishlist card if character appeal matters more than rarity.
Catalog source: Pokemon TCG API card record - Reviewed 2026-07-10
Larvitar
Illustration Rare · EN
Mid-list illustration rares are useful for finishing pages without opening more packs.
Marketplace price check
Checking saved data
Next step: Buy later as a single when the missing-list slot is exact.
Catalog source: Pokemon TCG API card record - Reviewed 2026-07-10
Scizor
Illustration Rare · EN
Popular Pokemon illustration rares can behave differently from anonymous completion gaps.
Marketplace price check
Checking saved data
Next step: Track as a named illustration target before chasing higher-rarity ex cards.
Catalog source: Pokemon TCG API card record - Reviewed 2026-07-10
Pidgey
Illustration Rare · EN
Evolution-line collecting can make a modest card more important to a specific binder.
Marketplace price check
Checking saved data
Next step: Track with the Pidgeotto and Pidgeot line so evolution pages stay coherent.
Catalog source: Pokemon TCG API card record - Reviewed 2026-07-10
Pidgeotto
Illustration Rare · EN
A line-completion card can matter more to the binder than to the broader market.
Marketplace price check
Checking saved data
Next step: Track beside Pidgey and Pidgeot ex before deciding whether the line is a priority.
Catalog source: Pokemon TCG API card record - Reviewed 2026-07-10
Special illustration decisions
Popular special illustrations to wishlist, wait on, or compare by collector number.
Eiscue ex
Special Illustration Rare · EN
Special-illustration rarity does not make every card equally urgent.
Marketplace price check
Checking saved data
Next step: Wait for condition-specific sold references before ranking it against Charizard ex.
Catalog source: Pokemon TCG API card record - Reviewed 2026-07-10
Revavroom ex
Special Illustration Rare · EN
Some special illustrations are completion-important without being the headline chase.
Marketplace price check
Checking saved data
Next step: Treat as a set-completion special illustration unless it is a personal chase.
Catalog source: Pokemon TCG API card record - Reviewed 2026-07-10
Pidgeot ex
Special Illustration Rare · EN
Evolution-line and special-illustration demand can stack for this slot.
Marketplace price check
Checking saved data
Next step: Track as the top of the Pidgey evolution-line target group.
Catalog source: Pokemon TCG API card record - Reviewed 2026-07-10
Geeta
Special Illustration Rare · EN
Trainer special illustrations can follow a different demand curve than Pokemon chases.
Marketplace price check
Checking saved data
Next step: Track Trainer special illustrations separately from Pokemon ex targets.
Catalog source: Pokemon TCG API card record - Reviewed 2026-07-10
Poppy
Special Illustration Rare · EN
Trainer slots can be important without being the first buying priority.
Marketplace price check
Checking saved data
Next step: Keep as a Trainer slot and compare after Pokemon ex priorities are clear.
Catalog source: Pokemon TCG API card record - Reviewed 2026-07-10
Sources: Pokemon TCG API set and card records. Reviewed 2026-07-10.
Measured set movers
Obsidian Flames: measured 90-day movers
Cards appear only when at least two tcgplayer price records are available. This shows past price movement, not investment quality or future performance.
Checking price history for this set…
Source: tcgplayer · Reviewed framework 2026-07-10.
Data source and method
The movers panel uses persisted TCGplayer observations for exact Obsidian Flames printings over the previous 90 days. It shows no more than six cards and excludes cards with fewer than two usable observations. That makes it a prompt to investigate a missing card, not a live quote or a prediction. Check the marketplace again—and match language, finish and condition—before buying.
Build the checklist from collector numbers
- Choose one set and one language before entering cards.
- Match each card by set code and collector number, not name alone.
- Record regular, reverse-holo, and special finishes separately when your goal includes them.
- Add confirmed gaps to a wishlist instead of leaving every unowned card equally urgent.
- Reconcile the binder after each opening, order, or trade.
This keeps the binder factual while the wishlist stays flexible. You can finish common-number gaps first, wait on volatile chase cards, and still see true progress without pretending every missing card needs to be bought now.
Separate set completion from a master set
A numbered set usually means one copy of each main-set and secret card. A master set may also include reverse holos, stamped versions, promos, or other variants. Decide which definition you are using before you count progress, otherwise the finish line will keep moving.
For Obsidian Flames, Charizard ex 223/197 and Pidgeot ex 225/197 are different buying decisions from ordinary numbered gaps. The board above keeps the artwork, rarity, set, and card number visible so a cheaper printing with the same name is not mistaken for the card you need.
Common mistakes
- Counting a card with the right name but the wrong collector number.
- Mixing reverse holos and regular copies without deciding whether both count.
- Opening more packs when only a few specific gaps remain.
- Comparing asking prices without matching condition and language.
- Forgetting to mark incoming purchases, which leads to duplicate orders.
- Letting one expensive chase card hide progress across the rest of the set.
Next step
Continue with how to complete a Pokemon master set without overspending and how to organize Pokemon cards. Those guides turn this tactic into a full binder, budget, and review routine.
Continue this workflow
How to make a Pokemon card missing list →