Pokémon TCG Set Guide
Every Pokémon Sun & Moon Set in Order
A complete chronological guide to all 12 main Sun & Moon expansions and four special sets, with release dates, card counts, Pokémon-GX, Rainbow Rares, Prism Stars, Tag Teams, Shiny Vault cards and notable pulls.
Last updated: August 13, 2026
What are all the Pokémon Sun & Moon sets in order?
The full English release order is Sun & Moon, Guardians Rising, Burning Shadows, Shining Legends, Crimson Invasion, Ultra Prism, Forbidden Light, Celestial Storm, Dragon Majesty, Lost Thunder, Team Up, Detective Pikachu, Unbroken Bonds, Unified Minds, Hidden Fates and Cosmic Eclipse. Twelve are main expansions and four are special releases.
Complete Sun & Moon Set List in Order
| # | Release | Date | Complete checklist | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sun & Moon | February 3, 2017 | 163 | Main |
| 2 | Guardians Rising | May 5, 2017 | 169 | Main |
| 3 | Burning Shadows | August 4, 2017 | 169 | Main |
| 4 | Shining Legends | October 6, 2017 | 78 | Special |
| 5 | Crimson Invasion | November 3, 2017 | 124 | Main |
| 6 | Ultra Prism | February 2, 2018 | 173 | Main |
| 7 | Forbidden Light | May 4, 2018 | 146 | Main |
| 8 | Celestial Storm | August 3, 2018 | 183 | Main |
| 9 | Dragon Majesty | September 7, 2018 | 78 | Special |
| 10 | Lost Thunder | November 2, 2018 | 236 | Main |
| 11 | Team Up | February 1, 2019 | 196 | Main |
| 12 | Detective Pikachu | March 29, 2019 | 18 | Special |
| 13 | Unbroken Bonds | May 3, 2019 | 234 | Main |
| 14 | Unified Minds | August 2, 2019 | 258 | Main |
| 15 | Hidden Fates | August 23, 2019 | 163 | Special |
| 16 | Cosmic Eclipse | November 1, 2019 | 271 | Main |
Totals include secret cards and dedicated subsets where applicable. Detective Pikachu’s core checklist contains 18 cards; stamped promotional variations distributed alongside the film are separate.
What Is the Sun & Moon Pokémon TCG Era?
Sun & Moon brought Alola, regional forms and Pokémon-GX to the physical TCG after the XY Series. It introduced Full Art Supporters as a major collector category, Rainbow Rare and gold Secret Rare treatments, Prism Star cards and eventually Tag Team Pokémon-GX.
Pokémon-GX and Tag Team GX are not modern Pokémon ex
GX cards use different rules and belong to the 2017–2019 era. Search with the exact set, number and “GX” label to avoid mixing unrelated printings.
Sun & Moon Sets Released in 2017
1. Sun & Moon
The base expansion introduced Solgaleo-GX, Lunala-GX, Decidueye-GX, Incineroar-GX and Primarina-GX. It debuted Pokémon-GX, Alolan forms, Rainbow Rares and gold Secret Rare basic Energy cards.
2. Guardians Rising
The Alolan guardian deities lead this expansion. Tapu Lele-GX became historically important in competitive decks, while Sylveon-GX, Alolan Ninetales-GX and Full Art Supporters add collector appeal.
3. Burning Shadows
Burning Shadows is best known for Rainbow Rare Charizard-GX 150/147. It also features Ho-Oh-GX, Marshadow-GX, Darkrai-GX and Full Art Supporters including Acerola and Guzma.
Shining Legends
This shiny-themed special set includes Shining Mew, Shining Rayquaza, Shining Lugia and Mewtwo-GX. Booster packs were available through collection products rather than standard booster boxes.
4. Crimson Invasion
Crimson Invasion focuses on Ultra Beasts such as Guzzlord-GX, Buzzwole-GX and Kartana-GX. Full Art Lusamine and Olivia are recognizable Trainer cards.
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Sun & Moon Sets Released in 2018
5. Ultra Prism
Ultra Prism introduced Prism Star cards, which use a special rule sending them to the Lost Zone instead of the discard pile. Lillie Full Art, Cynthia Full Art, Solgaleo-GX and Lunala-GX are major cards.
6. Forbidden Light
Ultra Necrozma-GX, Greninja-GX, Lucario-GX and Zygarde-GX headline a set themed around Kalos and Alola connections.
7. Celestial Storm
Celestial Storm revisits Hoenn with Rayquaza-GX, Blaziken-GX, Articuno-GX and Jirachi Prism Star. Lisia Full Art is one of its best-known Trainer cards.
Dragon Majesty
Dragon Majesty focuses on Dragon Pokémon and contains Dragonite-GX, Reshiram-GX, Salamence-GX, White Kyurem-GX and gold Ultra Necrozma-GX.
8. Lost Thunder
Lost Thunder was the largest English expansion at release. Lugia-GX, Blacephalon-GX, Zeraora-GX, Suicune-GX and Full Art Whitney appear alongside multiple Prism Stars.
Sun & Moon Sets Released in 2019
9. Team Up
Team Up introduced Tag Team Pokémon-GX. Pikachu & Zekrom-GX, Latias & Latios-GX, Gengar & Mimikyu-GX and Eevee & Snorlax-GX appear in multiple treatments.
Detective Pikachu
This film tie-in uses artwork based on realistic movie characters. Every core-set card is holographic, and stamped promotional versions were distributed through selected products and cinema promotions.
10. Unbroken Bonds
Reshiram & Charizard-GX headlines Unbroken Bonds. Blastoise-GX, Dedenne-GX, Gardevoir & Sylveon-GX and Full Art Trainer cards support a large checklist.
11. Unified Minds
Mewtwo & Mew-GX, Umbreon & Darkrai-GX, Slowpoke & Psyduck-GX and other Tag Teams make Unified Minds one of the era’s deepest expansions.
Hidden Fates
Hidden Fates combines a small main checklist with the 94-card Shiny Vault. Shiny Charizard-GX SV49, Mewtwo-GX SV59, Umbreon-GX SV69 and Full Art Shiny Trainers define the set.
12. Cosmic Eclipse
Cosmic Eclipse concluded the era with Tag Teams and character-focused secret rares pairing Pokémon with Trainers. Charizard & Braixen-GX, Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX, Solgaleo & Lunala-GX and Pikachu 241/236 are major cards.
Every Special Sun & Moon Set
| Special set | Main focus | Distribution distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Shining Legends | Shining Pokémon and Mewtwo-GX | Collection-product boosters |
| Dragon Majesty | Dragon Pokémon | No standard booster box |
| Detective Pikachu | Movie artwork | Four-card packs and promotional products |
| Hidden Fates | Shiny Vault | Special products rather than normal booster boxes |
Major Sun & Moon Card Mechanics
Pokémon-GX
GX Pokémon gave up two Prize cards and had a GX attack usable only once per game.
Rainbow Rare and gold Secret Rare
Rainbow treatments applied a multicolour foil style to Full Art Pokémon-GX. Gold secrets covered Pokémon, Trainers and Energy across the era.
Prism Star cards
Only one copy of a Prism Star name could be included in a deck. When discarded, it entered the Lost Zone instead.
Tag Team Pokémon-GX
Tag Teams combined two or three Pokémon on one card and usually gave up three Prize cards when Knocked Out.
Character secret rares
Cosmic Eclipse paired Pokémon with Trainers in full-art scenes, anticipating later Trainer Gallery and Illustration Rare styles.
Notable Cards From Every Main Sun & Moon Set
| Set | Notable cards | Defining feature |
|---|---|---|
| Sun & Moon | Umbreon-GX, Solgaleo-GX, Lunala-GX | GX and Rainbow Rare debut |
| Guardians Rising | Tapu Lele-GX, Sylveon-GX | Guardian deities |
| Burning Shadows | Rainbow Charizard-GX, Acerola | Charizard chase |
| Crimson Invasion | Gyarados-GX, Lusamine | Ultra Beasts |
| Ultra Prism | Lillie, Cynthia, Solgaleo-GX | Prism Star debut |
| Forbidden Light | Ultra Necrozma-GX, Greninja-GX | Light and Ultra Space |
| Celestial Storm | Rayquaza-GX, Lisia | Hoenn return |
| Lost Thunder | Lugia-GX, Zeraora-GX, Whitney | Massive checklist |
| Team Up | Latias & Latios-GX, Pikachu & Zekrom-GX | Tag Team debut |
| Unbroken Bonds | Reshiram & Charizard-GX | Major Tag Team Charizard |
| Unified Minds | Mewtwo & Mew-GX | Deep Tag Team roster |
| Cosmic Eclipse | Pikachu 241/236, ADP-GX | Character secrets and finale |
How to Identify a Sun & Moon Card
- Find the collector number and set symbol.
- Check for GX, Tag Team, Prism Star, SV or secret numbering.
- Separate normal-set and subset cards.
- Confirm regular, Full Art, Rainbow or gold treatment.
- Compare the exact language and condition.
Use our guide on finding a Pokémon card’s set and number and our fake Pokémon card guide.
How to Collect the Sun & Moon Era
Choose a manageable category
Possible collections include all Tag Teams, Full Art Supporters, Prism Stars, Rainbow Rares, Cosmic Eclipse character cards or the Hidden Fates Shiny Vault.
Define complete accurately
Large sets such as Cosmic Eclipse and special subsets such as Hidden Fates require more than the denominator printed on common cards.
Inspect texture and edges
Apply consistent standards using our condition guide, then protect cards with the storage guide.
Check prices by exact variant
Use matching sold copies with our Pokémon price guide. Grade only after reviewing whether grading makes sense.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many main Sun & Moon sets are there?
There are 12 main English expansions.
How many releases are there including special sets?
There are 16 when four special sets are included.
What was the first Sun & Moon set?
Sun & Moon released on February 3, 2017.
What was the final Sun & Moon set?
Cosmic Eclipse released on November 1, 2019.
Which set introduced Tag Team Pokémon-GX?
Team Up introduced Tag Team Pokémon-GX.
How many cards are in Hidden Fates?
There are 163 across the normal set, one secret and 94-card Shiny Vault.
Which set has Rainbow Rare Charizard-GX?
Burning Shadows contains Charizard-GX 150/147.
Sources and Editorial Method
Release order and totals were cross-checked using the historical expansion index, the official expansion archive and the official Cosmic Eclipse archive.
