Every good story needs a villain, and Team Rocket was the set that finally gave the Pokémon TCG one.
A new kind of expansion
Released in 2000, Team Rocket departed from the pattern of Base Set, Jungle and Fossil by building an entire set around Pokémon's recurring villain organisation rather than a region or a general Pokémon roster.
Introducing Dark Pokémon
The set's signature idea was the "Dark" Pokémon — cards like Dark Charizard and Dark Blastoise representing creatures trained under Team Rocket's influence, with altered rules such as higher retreat costs to reflect their corrupted status. It gave the game its first real storytelling angle, and the Dark-Pokémon holo rares remain some of the era's most distinctive cards.
Frequently asked questions
What made Team Rocket different from earlier Pokémon TCG sets?
Released in 2000, Team Rocket was the first set themed entirely around a villain organisation, rather than a region or a general roster of Pokémon.
What are 'Dark' Pokémon in the Team Rocket set?
Dark Pokémon represented creatures trained under Team Rocket's influence, and carried altered rules such as needing extra energy to retreat, reflecting their corrupted nature within the game's mechanics.
Why is Team Rocket a notable set for collectors?
It broke from the formula of the first three sets by giving the game its first real storyline hook, and its Dark-Pokémon holo rares remain distinctive and popular pulls.