Secret rares: what they are and how to complete them
They're the most sought-after —and most expensive— cards in every set: the ones numbered above the total. Here's what they are, how to spot them, and how to fit them into your master set.
What is a secret rare?
A secret rare is a card whose collector number is higher than the set total. If a set has 197 cards, a card numbered 201/197 is a secret: it doesn't count towards the 'official' set size, it's hidden above it. They appeared in the mid-2000s (EX era) and since then are almost always the best-finished cards —gold, rainbow, hyper rares, special illustration rares— and the ones with the lowest pull rates.
Why they matter (and why they cost so much)
A complete master set includes the secret rares. They're the last and hardest part to finish: they have the lowest pull rates in the whole set, so they're usually the most expensive to get. Closing out the secrets section is what separates an 'almost done' master set from a truly complete one.
Where to place them in your binder
They go after the numbered cards of the set, in order by their number (198, 199, 200…). That way the binder follows the numbering from start to finish. Many people give them their own page at the end of the set, since they're usually the flashiest.
Types of secret rare over the years
The 'secret rare' label covers several finishes depending on the era: gold cards, rainbow rares (the rainbow VMAX), hyper rares, gold secrets and some special illustration rares numbered above the set. Not every era uses the same names, but they all share the same thing: a number above the total.
How to tell if a card is secret
Look at the collector number at the bottom: if the first number is higher than the second (for example 205/198), it's a secret rare. If it's equal or lower, it's part of the base set. That's the most reliable way, beyond the finish.
What you'll need
To protect and show off your secrets, good sleeves and pages help. These are the ones I use:
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How to do it with our templates
Open the set
Go to your set from the sets list.
Switch to the Master level
When you pick the 'Master' level, the tool automatically adds the secret rares (the cards numbered above the total) as well as the reverse holos. You don't have to find them one by one.
Mark what you own and print what's missing
Mark each secret you already own and download the PDF with only the ones you're missing; that way you know exactly what's left to close out the set.
Frequently asked questions
Does a master set need the secret rares?▾
Yes. By definition a master set includes every card in the set, and secret rares are part of it even though they're numbered above the total. They're actually the hardest part to complete.
How do I know a card is a secret rare?▾
By the collector number: if the first number is higher than the set total (for example 201/197), it's a secret. That detail is more reliable than the finish, because finishes change from era to era.
Why are secret rares so expensive?▾
Because they have the lowest pull rates in the set: they show up in far fewer packs than the rest of the cards. Low supply and high collector demand pushes their price above the rest of the set.
Keep learning
Complete the secrets in your set
Pick your set, switch to the Master level and download the secret rare placeholders you're missing. Free, no sign-up.