What are the odds of pulling a rainbow rare Pokémon card?

If you‘re opening packs of Pokémon cards, one of the most exciting things to hope for is the rainbow sheen of an ultra rare rainbow rare card. But just how likely is it that you‘ll get to experience that thrill? In this in-depth guide, we‘ll break down the rarity and pull rates of these fan-favorite cards.

The odds of pulling a rainbow rare Pokémon card from a modern booster pack are approximately 1 in 72 to 1 in 96 packs, or 1 per booster box on average.

However, pull rates can vary between specific sets from as high as 1 in 12 packs in Champion‘s Path to over 1 in 100 packs in some Sun & Moon era sets. We‘ll explain more about rainbow rare rarity and how it compares to other ultra rare cards below.

What Makes Rainbow Rare Cards So Special?

Before we get into the numbers, let‘s discuss why rainbow rares are so coveted by collectors in the first place. What makes them different from other rare cards?

Rainbow rares stand out for their colorful, holographic finish that shines with the colors of the rainbow. Modern sets feature rainbow rares of popular Pokémon like Charizard, Pikachu, Eevee, Rayquaza, and more.

The smooth, reflective surface refracts light and dazzles in a way no other card rarity does. Simply put, they look amazing! The vibrant rainbow effect is mesmerizing in person.

Beyond aesthetics, rainbow rares mark some of the most powerful cards in the Pokémon TCG. They feature Pokémon V, VMAX, and GX with competitive gameplay abilities.

This combination of visual appeal and utility makes rainbow rares universally popular. Let‘s look at some examples that demonstrate their desirability:

• Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX – This card from Champion‘s Path consistently sells for over $200 mint due to Charizard‘s immense popularity. The normal version goes for under $50.

• Rainbow Rare Pikachu VMAX – From Sword & Shield – Vivid Voltage, this card auctions for $400+ sealed. It‘s the most sought-after card from the set.

• Eevee Heroes – This Japanese set featuring Eevee rainbow rares has booster boxes reselling for over $1000 due to demand.

• Rainbow Rare Illustrator Pikachu – Only two examples of this promotional card exist. One sold at auction in 2019 for a record-breaking $50,000!

The above examples show why rainbow rares drive so much interest – and spending – in the hobby. Now let‘s explore exactly how rare they are.

Rainbow Rare Pull Rates by Set

Rainbow rare cards belong to the secret rare category along with gold cards. Secret rares have the lowest pull rates among all ultra rare cards in modern Pokémon TCG sets.

Here are the estimated rainbow rare pull rates for sets in the Sun & Moon era onward:

As you can see, pull rates are all over the map! Let‘s analyze some of the standouts:

• Champion‘s Path boasts an extremely generous rainbow rare rate of approximately 1 per booster box. This set printed rainbow versions of valuable Charizards.

• Hidden Fates was also loaded with roughly 3 rainbow rares per Elite Trainer Box on average. This set focused on shiny Pokémon.

• On the opposite end, early Sun & Moon sets like Unified Minds had rainbow rates approaching 1 in 150 packs making them very hard to pull.

• For most Sword & Shield sets, you can expect around 1 rainbow rare per booster box on average. Some like Brilliant Stars dip closer to 1 per case.

Within a given set, you aren‘t equally likely to pull each rainbow rare either. Print runs for individual cards vary. Rare Charizards naturally appear less than other Pokémon.

How Rainbow Rares Compare to Other Rarities

Now that you know individual rainbow rare pull rates, how do these cards compare to other ultra rare cards in general rarity?

Here‘s an approximate breakdown of Pokémon TCG rarity tiers from most to least common:

As you can see, rainbow rares are rarer than any regular ultra rare card like Vs, VMAXs, and GXs. The secret rare designation puts them a tier above.

Among secret rares, gold cards are technically harder to pull than rainbows in modern sets like Sword & Shield. Print runs for gold cards are lower. But rainbow rares maintain a higher demand due to their more appealing artwork treatment.

Which Rainbow Rare Pokémon Have the Most Value?

Let‘s switch gears and talk money. Which rainbow rares carry the most value?

Unsurprisingly, Charizard and Pikachu lead the pack as the most valuable rainbow rares. Here are some of the top hitters:

You‘ll notice that the original illustrator Pikachu stands way above the rest in value due to its legendary rarity. Only two copies exist from a Japanese magazine promotion in 1998.

Eevee cards also command strong prices within certain sets. The Eevee Heroes Japanese set has booster boxes reselling for 3-4X the MSRP due to demand for the Eeveelution rainbow rares.

Most other Pokémon fall into a range of $10 to $100 depending on the specific card‘s popularity. Still, any rainbow rare pull becomes an exciting hit for collectors.

Tips for Pulling Rainbow Rares

Let‘s wrap up with some tips if your goal is pulling more of these vibrant beauties:

• Focus on sets with good rainbow rates like Champion‘s Path and Hidden Fates for the best odds.

• Buy sealed booster boxes rather than loose packs to guarantee hits. Weighing is a concern with loose packs.

• Do pack openings with friends and trade to collect the rainbow rares you want. Less duplicates this way!

• Consider buying singles instead of endlessly ripping packs trying to hit that 1 in 100+ pull.

• Join group breaks to split the cost of boxes and cases with other collectors.

• Sleeve and care for any rainbow rares you pull – they hold and gain value over time!

The hunt for that perfect rainbow rare to add to your collection is part of what makes the Pokémon TCG so fun. Now that you know what to look for and the best ways to find them, get out there and start ripping packs! Let me know if you have any other questions.