The Scarlet & Violet 151 (MEW) expansion is one of the most iconic releases in modern Pokémon TCG history. By focusing exclusively on the original 151 Kanto Pokémon, The Pokémon Company created a perfect bridge between nostalgic collectors and modern TCG players.
Whether you are looking to complete a Master Set or invest in top-tier Illustration Rares, this review and complete checklist breaks down everything you need to know.
Set Overview & Highlights
- Set Name: Scarlet & Violet—151 (MEW)
- Total Cards: 207 (165 main set + 42 Secret Rare cards)
- Release Date: September 22, 2023
- Top Chase Cards: Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare (#199), Blastoise ex SIR (#200), Venusaur ex SIR (#198), and Alakazam ex SIR (#201).
Is Scarlet & Violet 151 Worth Collecting?
The Good:
- Unmatched Nostalgia: Features every single Gen 1 Pokémon from Bulbasaur (#001) to Mew (#151) in exact National Pokédex order.
- Stunning Artworks: The Special Illustration Rares (SIR) offer some of the finest card artwork in the entire Scarlet & Violet era.
- Strong Market Value: Booster Bundles and Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs) have held strong secondary market values due to high print demand and collector popularity.
The Challenges:
- Pull Rates: Special Illustration Rares (SIR) and Hyper Rare (Gold) cards have lower pull rates, making a self-pulled Master Set expensive to complete without buying singles.
- No Individual Booster Boxes: 151 is a special “holiday/subset,” meaning booster packs are only available inside ETBs, Booster Bundles, Poster Collections, and Tins.
Scarlet & Violet 151 Complete Set Checklist
| Card # | Card Name | Rarity Tier |
| 001/165 | Bulbasaur | Double Rare / Grass |
| 002/165 | Ivysaur | Uncommon / Grass |
| 003/165 | Venusaur ex | Double Rare / Grass |
| 004/165 | Charmander | Common / Fire |
| 005/165 | Charmeleon | Uncommon / Fire |
| 006/165 | Charizard ex | Double Rare / Fire |
| 007/165 | Squirtle | Common / Water |
| 008/165 | Wartortle | Uncommon / Water |
| 009/165 | Blastoise ex | Double Rare / Water |
| 025/165 | Pikachu | Common / Lightning |
| 065/165 | Alakazam ex | Double Rare / Psychic |
| 094/165 | Gengar | Rare / Psychic |
| 0130/165 | Gyarados | Rare / Water |
| 0143/165 | Snorlax | Rare / Colorless |
| 150/165 | Mewtwo | Rare / Psychic |
| 151/165 | Mew ex | Double Rare / Psychic |
Secret Illustration Rares & Ultra Rares (Secret Subset)
| Card # | Card Name | Rarity Tier |
| 166/165 | Bulbasaur | Illustration Rare (IR) |
| 167/165 | Ivysaur | Illustration Rare (IR) |
| 168/165 | Charmander | Illustration Rare (IR) |
| 169/165 | Charmeleon | Illustration Rare (IR) |
| 170/165 | Squirtle | Illustration Rare (IR) |
| 171/165 | Wartortle | Illustration Rare (IR) |
| 173/165 | Pikachu | Illustration Rare (IR) |
| 183/165 | Charizard ex | Ultra Rare (Full Art) |
| 198/165 | Venusaur ex | Special Illustration Rare (SIR) |
| 199/165 | Charizard ex | Special Illustration Rare (SIR) |
| 200/165 | Blastoise ex | Special Illustration Rare (SIR) |
| 201/165 | Alakazam ex | Special Illustration Rare (SIR) |
| 205/165 | Mew ex | Hyper Rare (Gold) |
| 207/165 | Basic Switch | Hyper Rare (Gold) |
Detailed Pull Rates and Probabilities Breakdown
Understanding the mathematical drop rates for Scarlet & Violet 151 is critical for collectors deciding whether to open sealed boxes or purchase single cards from the secondary market. Because 151 is a special “holiday set,” its distribution mechanics differ significantly from standard anchor sets:
- Double Rares (ex): These are relatively common, dropping roughly 1 in every 4 to 6 packs, making them easy to trade for locally.
- Illustration Rares (IR): Dropping at an average rate of around 1 in 13 to 15 packs, full-art Pokémon illustrations featuring everyday environments require dedication or purchasing singles if you are targeting specific favorites like Bulbasaur or Psyduck.
- Special Illustration Rares (SIR) & Hyper Rares (Gold): This is where the true variance lies. Pull rates for top-tier chase cards like the Charizard ex SIR (#199) or Mew ex Gold (#205) stretch anywhere from 1 in 70 to over 1 in 90 packs. Relying solely on opening Elite Trainer Boxes or Booster Bundles to pull the entire “Big Three” can quickly become an expensive endeavor.
Best Investment Strategies: Sealed Product vs. Singles
With Scarlet & Violet 151 capturing massive nostalgia from Gen 1 fans, long-term market value has remained exceptionally resilient. If you are building a collection as an investment, consider these two distinct paths:
- The Sealed Product Route: Due to the absence of traditional standalone Booster Boxes (as packs are only sold via ETBs, Booster Bundles, and Collection Boxes), sealed Booster Bundles and Pokémon Center ETBs carry immense long-term scarcity value. Keeping selected products factory-sealed in protective acrylic cases is historically one of the safest plays for special sets.
- The Single Card Grading Route: If your goal is aesthetic mastery or quick financial flips, purchasing clean, centered raw copies of Illustration Rares or Special Illustration Rares and sending them off to grading giants like PSA or BGS for a Gem Mint 10 is the optimal strategy. Always inspect centering, back borders, and surface micro-scratches under a jeweler’s loupe before submitting.
Master Set Collecting Tips & Storage Guide
Completing a full Master Set of Scarlet & Violet 151—meaning every single standard card, reverse holo, and secret rare in numerical order—is a monumental achievement. To protect your investment and maintain mint condition over the years, keep these archival tips in mind:
- The Double-Sleeving Method: Always place your ultra-rare cards, SIRs, and holographic hits into a precision-fit inner sleeve (like Perfect Fit sleeves) opening downwards, followed by an outer matte or clear deck protector sleeve opening upwards. This creates a dual-sealed barrier against dust, moisture, and air.
- Choose Acid-Free Binders: Avoid old-school vinyl binders with fixed rings that can warp or dent card edges over time. Instead, invest in side-loading, ringless zip binders with archival-safe, non-PVC polypropylene pockets to keep your pages completely flat and secure.
- Climate Control and Lighting: Keep your collection binders and sealed products away from direct sunlight, high humidity, and extreme temperature fluctuations. UV rays will fade card colors and foil stamps permanently within months if exposed near windows.
Common Collecting Pitfalls to Avoid
Even seasoned Pokémon TCG hobbyists occasionally fall into costly traps when hunting down rare cards or purchasing products online. Keep these critical warnings in mind to protect your budget:
- Chasing Full Sets via Loose Packs: Buying loose booster packs from unverified sellers on secondary marketplaces is a massive gamble. Weighable packs or packs with swapped contents can leave you with zero high-tier hits. Always stick to sealed booster bundles or trusted local card shops.
- Ignoring Card Centering Values: When buying raw high-value singles online, blurry listing photos are a major red flag. Always request clear pictures of the front and back corners and borders, as poor centering can instantly drop a card’s potential grading value from a PSA 10 to a PSA 8.
- Hype Buying During Peak Pricing: Prices for new special sets often peak dramatically during the initial release weeks due to social media FOMO. If you aren’t in a rush, allowing the market to stabilize for a couple of months often saves you significant cash on singles.
Final Verdict for Collectors
Scarlet & Violet 151 is a must-have set for both vintage enthusiasts and modern collectors.
If your budget is limited, focus on acquiring the “Big Three” Special Illustration Rares (Charizard #199, Blastoise #200, and Venusaur #198) as singles, or keep sealed Booster Bundles for long-term hold.
