Pokémon TCG Set Guide
Every Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver Set in Order
A complete guide to the HeartGold & SoulSilver era, from the 2010 base set through Call of Legends. Compare release dates, card counts, Pokémon Prime, two-card LEGENDs, Alph Lithographs and all 11 SL Shiny Legendary cards.
Last updated: August 13, 2026
What are the HeartGold & SoulSilver Pokémon sets in order?
The five English expansions commonly grouped into the HeartGold & SoulSilver era are HeartGold & SoulSilver, HS—Unleashed, HS—Undaunted, HS—Triumphant and Call of Legends. The first four are officially branded HeartGold & SoulSilver sets. Call of Legends is a stand-alone expansion released afterward, but its design, reprints and Generation IV release position make it the era’s practical conclusion.
Complete HeartGold & SoulSilver Set List
| # | Expansion | English release | Complete checklist | Major chase categories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HeartGold & SoulSilver | February 10, 2010 | 124 cards | Pokémon Prime, Ho-Oh LEGEND, Lugia LEGEND, Alph Lithograph |
| 2 | HS—Unleashed | May 12, 2010 | 96 cards | Pokémon Prime, three dual-Pokémon LEGEND pairs, Alph Lithograph |
| 3 | HS—Undaunted | August 18, 2010 | 91 cards | Pokémon Prime, two dual-Pokémon LEGEND pairs, Alph Lithograph |
| 4 | HS—Triumphant | November 3, 2010 | 103 cards | Pokémon Prime, two dual-Pokémon LEGEND pairs, Alph Lithograph |
| 5 | Call of Legends | February 9, 2011 | 106 cards | 95-card main set plus 11 SL Shiny Legendaries |
The HGSS Black Star Promo series and products such as Trainer Kits were released during the same period but are separate from these five expansion checklists.
Is Call of Legends a HeartGold & SoulSilver Set?
Officially, Call of Legends is a stand-alone English expansion rather than a fifth set carrying the HeartGold & SoulSilver name. Practically, collectors often place it at the end of the HGSS era because it was released immediately after Triumphant, uses closely related visual design, reprints multiple HGSS cards and closes Generation IV before Black & White.
This guide includes it but keeps the distinction explicit. That approach answers searches for the complete “HGSS era” without incorrectly claiming Call of Legends was branded HS.
The era follows the 11 expansions covered in our Diamond & Pearl and Platinum set guide.
Call of Legends is not a normal Japanese-equivalent set
It combined reprints with cards not previously released in English and does not map cleanly to one Japanese booster expansion. Use the English checklist when identifying English cards.
Every HeartGold & SoulSilver-Era Set Explained
1. HeartGold & SoulSilver
The base set returned the TCG to Johto alongside the Nintendo DS remakes. It replaced Pokémon LV.X and Pokémon SP with two new premium card types: Pokémon Prime and Pokémon LEGEND.
Donphan Prime, Typhlosion Prime, Feraligatr Prime, Meganium Prime, Ampharos Prime and Blissey Prime highlight the Prime roster. Lugia LEGEND and Ho-Oh LEGEND each span two cards that must be played together. Alph Lithograph ONE is the set’s secret rare and uses stylized Unown text.
The checklist also includes distinctive holo Energy cards and a Shiny-coloured Gyarados 123/123 inspired by the Lake of Rage encounter.
2. HS—Unleashed
Unleashed expanded Johto’s evolved Pokémon and introduced LEGEND cards featuring two different Pokémon. Entei & Raikou LEGEND, Raikou & Suicune LEGEND and Suicune & Entei LEGEND form three two-card pairs.
Tyranitar Prime, Steelix Prime, Kingdra Prime, Crobat Prime, Lanturn Prime and Ursaring Prime give the set a deep Prime lineup. Alph Lithograph TWO is the secret card.
3. HS—Undaunted
Undaunted combines Eeveelutions, dark-themed Pokémon and major legendary pairs. Umbreon Prime, Espeon Prime, Houndoom Prime, Scizor Prime, Raichu Prime and Slowking Prime are among its headline cards.
Rayquaza & Deoxys LEGEND and Kyogre & Groudon LEGEND appear as four-card total pairs. Alph Lithograph THREE sits outside the 90-card main set.
4. HS—Triumphant
Triumphant was the final officially branded HGSS expansion. Its Prime cards include Gengar, Mew, Celebi, Absol, Magnezone, Machamp, Electrode and Yanmega.
Darkrai & Cresselia LEGEND and Dialga & Palkia LEGEND close the LEGEND mechanic’s English expansion run. Alph Lithograph FOUR completes the four-card Lithograph group.
5. Call of Legends
Call of Legends acts as a bridge between HGSS and Black & White. It contains reprints, previously unreleased English cards and a concentrated Legendary Pokémon theme.
The major collector feature is an 11-card Shiny Legendary subset numbered SL1 through SL11. Unlike the preceding four expansions, Call of Legends does not introduce new Pokémon Prime or LEGEND cards.
Shop Pokémon Singles From the HGSS Era
Browse Game 3’s current singles inventory or search directly for HeartGold & SoulSilver cards.
Complete Pokémon Prime Card Checklist
Pokémon Prime are powerful cards identified by close-up character artwork, a distinctive name treatment and stronger-than-average effects. Unlike Pokémon-ex, Pokémon-EX or Pokémon LV.X, “Prime” is a rarity style rather than text added to the Pokémon’s name.
| Expansion | Pokémon Prime cards | Count |
|---|---|---|
| HeartGold & SoulSilver | Ampharos, Blissey, Donphan, Feraligatr, Meganium, Typhlosion | 6 |
| HS—Unleashed | Crobat, Kingdra, Lanturn, Steelix, Tyranitar, Ursaring | 6 |
| HS—Undaunted | Espeon, Houndoom, Raichu, Scizor, Slowking, Umbreon | 6 |
| HS—Triumphant | Absol, Celebi, Electrode, Gengar, Machamp, Magnezone, Mew, Yanmega | 8 |
That produces 26 Pokémon Prime cards across the four official HGSS expansions. Call of Legends contains no new Prime cards. A broad listing such as “Prime Pokémon card” is not enough for valuation; confirm the exact set and collector number.
Prime is not printed as part of the name
Collectors say “Umbreon Prime” to distinguish the premium card, but the card name itself is simply Umbreon. Use the artwork, rarity, number and expansion to avoid confusing it with an ordinary Umbreon from the same period.
How Do Two-Card Pokémon LEGEND Cards Work?
A Pokémon LEGEND is divided across a top and bottom card. Both halves are required to put the Pokémon into play, and the connected artwork forms one oversized horizontal image. A single half is collectible but cannot represent a complete playable LEGEND.
| Set | Complete LEGEND pairs |
|---|---|
| HeartGold & SoulSilver | Ho-Oh LEGEND; Lugia LEGEND |
| Unleashed | Entei & Raikou; Raikou & Suicune; Suicune & Entei |
| Undaunted | Kyogre & Groudon; Rayquaza & Deoxys |
| Triumphant | Darkrai & Cresselia; Dialga & Palkia |
When buying or pricing one, check whether the listing is for the top, bottom or both halves. The two halves have separate collector numbers and can differ in condition.
All Four Alph Lithograph Cards
Each official HGSS expansion contains one secret rare Alph Lithograph. The cards use Unown-style lettering and are commonly labelled ONE, TWO, THREE and FOUR:
- Alph Lithograph ONE: HeartGold & SoulSilver.
- Alph Lithograph TWO: HS—Unleashed.
- Alph Lithograph THREE: HS—Undaunted.
- Alph Lithograph FOUR: HS—Triumphant.
The label is important because all four cards share the same printed name. Expansion symbol, effect and Lithograph number distinguish them.
Every Call of Legends Shiny Legendary Card
The 11 SL cards sit outside the 95-card main checklist and depict Shiny versions of Legendary Pokémon. They form one of the most recognizable subsets from the era.
| Number | Pokémon | Shiny colour cue |
|---|---|---|
| SL1 | Deoxys | Yellow body |
| SL2 | Dialga | Green-blue metallic tone |
| SL3 | Entei | Dark facial and body details |
| SL4 | Groudon | Yellow-green body |
| SL5 | Ho-Oh | Gold and silver tones |
| SL6 | Kyogre | Pink-purple body |
| SL7 | Lugia | Pink-red accent colour |
| SL8 | Palkia | Pink body tones |
| SL9 | Raikou | Orange-gold body |
| SL10 | Rayquaza | Black body |
| SL11 | Suicune | Blue mane |
These are not Gold Star cards, despite both groups featuring Shiny Pokémon. Call of Legends uses the SL numbering and a different card design.
What Is Required for a Complete HGSS Master Set?
“Complete” can describe several different goals. Before buying cards, define the checklist that applies to your collection.
| Collection level | What it includes | What it may exclude |
|---|---|---|
| Numbered set | One copy of every normal checklist number | Secret Alph Lithograph and parallel finishes |
| Complete expansion | Main checklist plus the set’s Alph Lithograph or SL cards | Reverse-holo parallels and promos |
| Master set | Standard cards, reverse holos, premium cards, secrets and recognized variants | Usually external promos unless explicitly added |
| Complete HGSS era | All four branded sets and often Call of Legends | HGSS promos may be tracked separately |
For LEGEND cards, a collector needs both the top and bottom half, but each half still occupies its own numbered checklist position. For Call of Legends, a 95-card main set excludes the 11 SL cards; a complete recognized checklist contains 106 cards.
Should HGSS Black Star Promos be included?
The HGSS promo series contains cards numbered HGSS01 through HGSS25 and was distributed through products and events rather than normal expansion boosters. It is historically part of the same period, but it should be tracked as its own checklist instead of being inserted into one of the five expansions.
Do reverse holos count?
For a numbered set, usually not. For a master set, collectors often require every available reverse-holographic parallel. State the rule clearly because the difference changes both the number of cards and the cost substantially.
Notable Cards From Every HGSS-Era Set
| Set | Notable cards | Collector importance |
|---|---|---|
| HeartGold & SoulSilver | Lugia LEGEND, Ho-Oh LEGEND, Donphan Prime, Typhlosion Prime | First Primes and LEGENDs; Johto launch |
| Unleashed | Tyranitar Prime, Steelix Prime, legendary beast LEGEND pairs | Deep Prime roster and three dual LEGENDs |
| Undaunted | Umbreon Prime, Espeon Prime, Rayquaza & Deoxys LEGEND | Eeveelutions and major legendary pair |
| Triumphant | Gengar Prime, Mew Prime, Celebi Prime, Darkrai & Cresselia LEGEND | Final Prime and LEGEND expansion |
| Call of Legends | SL Shiny Lugia, Rayquaza, Ho-Oh, Groudon and Kyogre | Eleven-card Shiny Legendary subset |
How to Identify HeartGold & SoulSilver-Era Cards
- Find the collector number. Ordinary cards use fractions; Lithographs use words; Call of Legends Shinies use SL numbers.
- Match the expansion symbol. Similar borders appear across all four HS-branded sets.
- Identify the premium card type. Prime close-up art, two-card LEGEND artwork and SL numbering are distinct.
- Check whether a LEGEND is top or bottom. Each half has its own number.
- Confirm the finish and condition. Holo surfaces can show scratches and print lines.
Use our full guide on how to find a Pokémon card’s set and number. If the font, colour, foil or back appears wrong, follow the checks in our fake Pokémon card guide.
Which HeartGold & SoulSilver Sets Are Most Valuable?
Values change by card and condition, but each expansion has a clear collector identity. The base set attracts demand for Lugia and Ho-Oh LEGEND, starter Primes and the first Alph Lithograph. Undaunted combines Eeveelution Primes with major LEGEND pairs. Triumphant contains popular Primes such as Gengar and Mew. Call of Legends is particularly recognized for its difficult 11-card Shiny Legendary subset.
Do not price an entire set from one famous card. Match recent sales by exact number, half, finish and condition using our Pokémon card pricing guide. For older collections, also read are old Pokémon cards worth anything?
How to Collect HeartGold & SoulSilver Pokémon Cards
Pick a natural mini-collection
The nine complete LEGEND pairs, four Alph Lithographs, 26 Pokémon Prime cards or 11 SL cards each create a defined project without requiring every common and reverse holo.
Do not buy half a LEGEND by accident
Confirm the collector number and image orientation. A lower price may represent only one half, and matching condition across separately purchased halves can be difficult.
Define whether Call of Legends is included
If you call your project an “HGSS master collection,” state whether that includes Call of Legends and HGSS promos. The official branding and practical collector era are not identical.
Inspect reflective surfaces
LEGEND, Prime and SL cards may reveal scratches, edge wear or print lines. Apply one standard using our Pokémon condition guide.
Protect cards immediately
Sleeve cards before using a binder or rigid holder and control humidity and sunlight. See the Pokémon card storage guide.
Grade selectively
Authentication and protection may benefit certain premium cards, but grading fees and expected condition matter. Read should you grade your Pokémon cards?
Find Pokémon Singles for Your Collection
Browse Game 3’s in-stock Pokémon singles for complete sets, character collections and decks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many HeartGold & SoulSilver sets are there?
There are four officially branded HGSS expansions. Collectors commonly include Call of Legends as a fifth era-ending set.
What was the first HGSS Pokémon set?
HeartGold & SoulSilver was released in English on February 10, 2010.
What was the last official HGSS set?
HS—Triumphant was the fourth and final set carrying the HeartGold & SoulSilver branding.
Why is Call of Legends included with HGSS?
It followed Triumphant, shares the era’s design, includes HGSS reprints and concluded Generation IV, although it is officially stand-alone.
How many Pokémon LEGEND pairs are there in the HGSS expansions?
There are nine complete two-card LEGEND Pokémon across the four branded expansions.
How many Call of Legends Shiny cards are there?
There are 11, numbered SL1 through SL11.
Are Pokémon Prime cards the same as Pokémon ex?
No. Pokémon Prime are a distinct premium card style from the HGSS era.
What are the four Alph Lithograph cards?
ONE appears in HeartGold & SoulSilver, TWO in Unleashed, THREE in Undaunted and FOUR in Triumphant.
Sources and Editorial Method
Expansion order, release dates and checklist structure were cross-checked using the official Pokémon expansion archive, the official Call of Legends archive and historical set indexes. Call of Legends is explicitly labelled stand-alone while being included in the practical five-release HGSS-era chronology.
