Set Overview
Team Rocket introduced the villains of the series to the TCG. It is built around “Dark” Pokémon — corrupted versions of familiar Pokémon owned by Team Rocket — and was the first set to include a secret card: Dark Raichu (83/82), numbered beyond the set’s official 82 cards.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | April 24, 2000 (English) · adapted from the Japanese Rocket Gang set |
| Publisher | Wizards of the Coast |
| Total Cards | 83 cards (68 Pokémon · 11 Trainers · 4 Energy) |
| Holographic Rares | 15 (cards 1–14 plus the secret Dark Raichu 83) |
| Set Symbol | The Team Rocket “R” logo, bottom-right of the artwork |
| Notable Printings | 1st Edition · Unlimited |
| Key Chase Card | Dark Charizard 4/82 (Holo) · secret Dark Raichu 83/82 |
About the Set
The set leans into its theme with lower-HP, aggressive Dark Pokémon and a run of Rocket-themed Trainers. Cards 1–14 are the holographic rares, led by Dark Charizard, and every card sits in a red-and-black frame with the Team Rocket “R” set symbol.
How to identify it: look for the Team Rocket “R” symbol in the bottom-right of the artwork. 1st Edition copies add the “1st EDITION” stamp on the lower-left.
Printings: 1st Edition & Unlimited
Each card exists in two main printings. The difference is the single biggest factor in value, so it is worth checking before you buy, especially on Dark Charizard and the secret Dark Raichu.
| Printing | How to spot it | Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Edition | A black "1st EDITION" stamp on the lower-left of the artwork. The first, smaller print run. | First run — most valuable |
| Unlimited | No stamp. Otherwise identical to the 1st Edition card. | The main, long run — most common |
| Dark Raichu (secret) | Card 83 of an 82-card set — the first "secret" card in the TCG. Always holographic. | Rare and often faked — verify before buying |
Quick check: a 1st Edition stamp on the lower-left means the first run; no stamp means Unlimited.
Complete Card Gallery
All 83 cards from Team Rocket — an 82-card set plus the secret Dark Raichu (shown as 83/82). Click any card to view it full size and use the arrow keys (or swipe) to move through the set.
Key Cards
The Dark Pokémon holos are the draw here, and Team Rocket also gave the TCG its very first secret card.
| Card | Name | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
 |
Dark Charizard 4/82 Holographic Rare | The set’s headline card and one of the most popular Dark Pokémon in the whole era. |
 |
Dark Raichu 83/82 Secret Holo | The secret card — numbered beyond the 82-card set and the first secret card in the TCG. Frequently counterfeited. |
 |
Dark Blastoise 3/82 Holographic Rare | A Dark holo version of the Base Set starter. |
 |
Dark Dragonite 5/82 Holographic Rare | A sought-after Dark holo of a long-time fan favourite. |
Promo Cards
Team Rocket has some directly related promos, including Dark Persian (#17) and Team Rocket’s Meowth (#18) from the Wizards Black Star Promo series. The promos were not part of the set — the series ran to 53 cards across the WotC era — but these fit its villains theme.
Wizards Black Star Promos use their own numbering (#1–#53) and carry a black star where a set symbol would be.
Collecting & Where to Buy
Team Rocket is out of print and trades only on the secondary market. 1st Edition holos — especially Dark Charizard — and the secret Dark Raichu command the biggest premiums; Unlimited singles are much more affordable.
Collector tip: watch for 1st Edition vs Unlimited (the stamp on the lower-left) and, for Dark Raichu, confirm it is genuine — it is a valuable secret card that has been counterfeited.
Note: external links are provided for reference only. Always confirm a card's printing, condition and authenticity before purchasing.