Base Series

This is where it all began. The "Base Era," also known as the Wizards of the Coast (WotC) era, refers to the very first sets that launched the Pokémon TCG in English, starting in 1999. This series is defined by the original Base Set, Jungle, and Fossil expansions.These sets introduced the core mechanics of the game and featured the iconic original 151 Pokémon. For collectors, this era is the most nostalgic, known for its simple card layouts, distinct "shadowless" and "1st Edition" print runs, and the legendary holographic Charizard that started the hobby.