Pokemon TCG: Expedition Base Set

by
Expedition Base Set
Trading Card Game Set E13 / J13
General information
Cards English: 165
Japanese: 128
Series e-Card era
Previous Expansion Pokemon Card Web
Following Expansion Aquapolis
Associated Decks Colorless Echo
GrassElectric Electric Garden
Released September 15, 2002 (English)
December 1, 2001 (Japanese)

Quick menu: Overview / Print Versions / Set List / For Collectors / Most Powerful / Trivia / Images & Videos


Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set sealed booster box

Expedition Base Set arrived in English on 15 September 2002 and is the most quietly ambitious set the Pokémon TCG has ever produced. It is the first expansion of the e-Card Series, and it tried something no trading card game had attempted before: making the cards themselves into software.

Every card carries a Dot Code — a dense strip of data printed down the left and bottom borders. Swiped through a Nintendo e-Reader attached to a Game Boy Advance, that strip would load the Pokémon’s Pokédex entry, and on some cards considerably more: playable minigames, music, and in a few cases hidden attacks that existed nowhere on the printed card. A piece of cardboard became a cartridge.

Making room for that data forced the most drastic card redesign in the game’s history to that point. The borders grew, and to compensate, flavour text, Pokédex data and the Level indicator were all stripped from the card face — the information had moved into the dot code instead. The result looks unlike anything before or since, which is much of why the e-Card sets have such a devoted following.

It also changed the rules in ways that outlasted the hardware. Expedition split Pokémon Power into Poké-Powers (activated) and Poké-Bodies (always on), a distinction the game kept for the next decade, and introduced Technical Machine cards that grant a Pokémon an attack — a direct nod to TMs in the video games. At 165 cards, with the first 32 all Holo Rares, it was also the largest English set produced to that point. The Japanese original, Base Expansion Pack, had appeared on 1 December 2001.

More electrifying than ever!

The Pokémon® trading card game is going where no trading card game has ever gone before—the Game Boy Advance™. The Pokémon-e: Expedition™ base set has new attacks, new game effects, new Pokémon Powers (now called Poké-Powers and Poké-Bodies), new Trainer cards, and even a cool new card design.

And now you can swipe your cards through a Nintendo® e-Reader to play fun video games on Game Boy Advance! Play Expedition, and you could be in for a shock!

— Original Wizards of the Coast promotional copy, 2002

Print Versions & Collectors Info

By 2002 Wizards had stopped 1st Edition stamping altogether, so Expedition exists in a single Unlimited print run. What varies instead is finish: like Legendary Collection before it, every card has a Reverse Holofoil counterpart — but where Legendary Collection was a reprint set, Expedition is the first set of all-new cards to carry reverse holos, which is where the convention we still live with today really begins.

There is an oddity in the packaging worth knowing. Expedition boosters contain nine cards rather than the usual eleven — one reverse holo, one rare, two uncommons and five commons, with a standard holo appearing roughly once every three packs. The Dot Code technology carried licensing costs that Wizards had to absorb somewhere, and the pack size is where it landed.

Condition is the defining issue with this set. Cards were designed to be physically swiped through a slot in the e-Reader, and a great many were — repeatedly. That leaves edge wear and surface scratching on cards that were otherwise well looked after. Combine that with the fact that the game’s popularity was dipping in 2002, so fewer packs were opened in the first place, and high-grade Expedition cards are genuinely scarce in a way their original print runs do not suggest.

Two theme decks were released alongside the set: Echo and Electric Garden.

The pack wrappers

Expedition shipped in four English wrappers — the three Kanto starters in their final forms plus Feraligatr, carried over from the Johto generation. The Japanese Base Expansion Pack wrapper is shown alongside for comparison. Remember that each of these packs held nine cards rather than the usual eleven.

  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set booster pack, Charizard
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set booster pack, Blastoise
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set booster pack, Venusaur
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set booster pack, Feraligatr
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set booster pack, Japanese — Base Expansion Pack

Set List with Pictures

Card Image No. Card name Rarity Card type
1 Alakazam 1/165 Alakazam Rare Holo Psychic
Card text

Once during your turn, instead of Alakazam’s normal attack, you may choose 1 of your opponent’s Pokémon’s attacks. Alakazam copies that attack including its Energy costs and anything else required in order to use that attack, such as discarding Energy cards. (No matter what type that Pokémon is, Alakazam’s type is still Psychic.) This power can’t be used if Alakazam is affected by a Special Condition.
2 Ampharos 2/165 Ampharos Rare Holo Lightning
Card text
As often as you like during your turn (before your attack), you may take a basic Energy card attached to 1 of your Benched Pokémon and attach it to your Active Pokémon. This power can’t be used if Ampharos is affected by a Special Condition.
3 Arbok 3/165 Arbok Rare Holo Grass
Card text
The Defending Pokémon is now Poisoned.
4 Blastoise 4/165 Blastoise Rare Holo Water
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), if Blastoise is your Active Pokémon, you may flip a coin. If heads, discard an Energy card attached to Blastoise, if any. Then, if there are any Energy cards attached to the Defending Pokémon, choose 1 of them and discard it. This power can’t be used if Blastoise is affected by a Special Condition.
5 Butterfree 5/165 Butterfree Rare Holo Grass
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), you may remove all Special Conditions from your Active Pokémon. This power can’t be used if Butterfree is affected by a Special Condition.
6 Charizard 6/165 Charizard Rare Holo Fire
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), you may turn all basic Energy cards attached to all of your Pokémon into Fire Energy for the rest of the turn. This power can’t be used if Charizard is affected by a Special Condition.
7 Clefable 7/165 Clefable Rare Holo Colorless
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), you may put a card from your hand back on your deck. If you do, search your deck for a basic Energy card, show it to your opponent, and put it into your hand. This power can’t be used if Clefable is affected by a Special Condition.
8 Cloyster 8/165 Cloyster Rare Holo Water
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
9 Dragonite 9/165 Dragonite Rare Holo Colorless
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), if Dragonite is on your Bench, you may reduce your Active Pokémon’s Retreat Cost to 0.
10 Dugtrio 10/165 Dugtrio Rare Holo Fighting
Card text
Does 10 damage to each Benched Pokémon (yours and your opponent’s). (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)
11 Fearow 11/165 Fearow Rare Holo Colorless
Card text
The Defending Pokémon can’t retreat during your opponent’s next turn.
12 Feraligatr 12/165 Feraligatr Rare Holo Water
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), if Feraligatr is your Active Pokémon and if your opponent has any Benched Pokémon, your opponent switches his or her Active Pokémon with 1 of his or her Benched Pokémon. Either way, if you have any Benched Pokémon, switch Feraligatr with 1 of them. This power can’t be used if Feraligatr is affected by a Special Condition.
13 Gengar 13/165 Gengar Rare Holo Psychic
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), if your opponent has 3 or fewer Prizes, you may move 1 damage counter from 1 Pokémon (yours or your opponent’s) to another (even if it would Knock Out the other Pokémon). This power can’t be used if Gengar is affected by a Special Condition.
14 Golem 14/165 Golem Rare Holo Fighting
Card text
All damage done by attacks to Golem is reduced by 10 (after applying Weakness and Resistance).
15 Kingler 15/165 Kingler Rare Holo Water
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
16 Machamp 16/165 Machamp Rare Holo Fighting
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), look at the top 4 cards from your deck and rearrange them as you like. This power can’t be used if Machamp is Poisoned, Burned, Asleep, Confused or Paralyzed.
17 Magby 17/165 Magby Rare Holo Fire
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, put a basic Energy card from your discard pile into your hand.
18 Meganium 18/165 Meganium Rare Holo Grass
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), you may flip a coin. If heads, remove 1 damage counter from each of your Pokémon that has any. This power can’t be used if Meganium is affected by a Special Condition.
19 Meganium 19/165 Mew Rare Holo Psychic
Card text
Choose 1 of your opponent’s Pokémon. Count the number of Energy cards attached to that Pokémon. Put that many damage counters on the Pokémon.
20 Mewtwo 20/165 Mewtwo Rare Holo Psychic
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Asleep.
21 Ninetales 21/165 Ninetales Rare Holo Fire
Card text
Flip 2 coins. If either of them is heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Confused.
22 Pichu 22/165 Pichu Rare Holo Lightning
Card text
Power Patch
23 Pidgeot 23/165 Pidgeot Rare Holo Colorless
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), if Pidgeot is your Active Pokémon, you may shuffle 1 of your Benched Pokémon and all cards attached to it into your deck. This power can’t be used if Pidgeot is affected by a Special Condition.
24 Poliwrath 24/165 Poliwrath Rare Holo Water
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), if Poliwrath is on your Bench, you may flip a coin. If heads, take all Energy cards attached to your Active Pokémon, if any, and attach them to Poliwrath. Then switch Poliwrath with your Active Pokémon.
25 Raichu 25/165 Raichu Rare Holo Lightning
Card text
If there are any Lightning Energy cards in your discard pile, flip a coin. If heads, attach 1 of them to Raichu.
26 Rapidash 26/165 Rapidash Rare Holo Fire
Card text
If your opponent has any Benched Pokémon, Choose 1 of them and flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 10 damage to that Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)
27 Skarmory 27/165 Skarmory Rare Holo Metal
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 20 damage plus 10 more damage.
28 Typhlosion 28/165 Typhlosion Rare Holo Fire
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), you may count the total number of Energy cards attached to all of your Pokémon and all of your opponent’s Pokémon. If your opponent has more total Energy cards attached, you may search your deck for 1 Fire Energy card and attach it to 1 of your Benched Pokémon, if any. Shuffle your deck afterward. This power can’t be used if Typhlosion is affected by a Special Condition.
29 Tyranitar 29/165 Tyranitar Rare Holo Darkness
Card text
All Energy attached to Tyranitar is Darkness Energy instead of its usual type.
30 Venusaur 30/165 Venusaur Rare Holo Grass
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), if you attach an Energy card to your Active Pokémon as part of your turn, you may attach an additional Energy card to that Pokémon at the same time. This power can’t be used if Venusaur is affected by a Special Condition.
31 Vileplume 31/165 Vileplume Rare Holo Grass
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), you may flip a coin. If heads the Defending Pokémon is now Poisoned. This power can’t be used if Vileplume is affected by a Special Condition.
32 Weezing 32/165 Weezing Rare Holo Grass
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Poisoned. If tails, the Defending Pokémon is now Confused.
33 Alakazam 33/165 Alakazam Rare Psychic
Card text
Once during your turn, instead of Alakazam’s normal attack, you may choose 1 of your opponent’s Pokémon’s attacks. Alakazam copies that attack including its Energy costs and anything else required in order to use that attack, such as discarding Energy cards. (No matter what type that Pokémon is, Alakazam’s type is still Psychic.) This power can’t be used if Alakazam is affected by a Special Condition.
34 Ampharos 34/165 Ampharos Rare Lightning
Card text
As often as you like during your turn (before your attack), you may take a basic Energy card attached to 1 of your Benched Pokémon and attach it to your Active Pokémon. This power can’t be used if Ampharos is affected by a Special Condition.
35 Arbo 35/165 Arbok Rare Grass
Card text
The Defending Pokémon is now Poisoned.
36 Blastoise 36/165 Blastoise Rare Water
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
37 Blastoise 37/165 Blastoise Rare Water
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), if Blastoise is your Active Pokémon, you may flip a coin. If heads, discard an Energy card attached to Blastoise, if any. Then, if there are any Energy cards attached to the Defending Pokémon, choose 1 of them and discard it. This power can’t be used if Blastoise is affected by a Special Condition.
38 Butterfree 38/165 Butterfree Rare Grass
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), you may remove all Special Conditions from your Active Pokémon. This power can’t be used if Butterfree is affected by a Special Condition.
39 Charizard 39/165 Charizard Rare Fire
Card text
Flip a coin. If tails, this attack does nothing.
40 Charizard 40/165 Charizard Rare Fire
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), you may turn all basic Energy cards attached to all of your Pokémon into Fire Energy for the rest of the turn. This power can’t be used if Charizard is affected by a Special Condition.
41 Clefable 41/165 Clefable Rare Colorless
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), you may put a card from your hand back on your deck. If you do, search your deck for a basic Energy card, show it to your opponent, and put it into your hand. This power can’t be used if Clefable is affected by a Special Condition.
42 Cloyster 42/165 Cloyster Rare Water
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
43 Dragonite 43/165 Dragonite Rare Colorless
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), if Dragonite is on your Bench, you may reduce your Active Pokémon’s Retreat Cost to 0.
44 Dugtrio 44/165 Dugtrio Rare Fighting
Card text
Does 10 damage to each Benched Pokémon (yours and your opponent’s). (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)
45 Fearow 45/165 Fearow Rare Colorless
Card text
The Defending Pokémon can’t retreat during your opponent’s next turn.
46 Feraligatr 46/165 Feraligatr Rare Water
Card text
Flip 2 coins. This attack does 30 damage plus 20 more damage for each heads
47 Feraligatr 47/165 Feraligatr Rare Water
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), if Feraligatr is your Active Pokémon and if your opponent has any Benched Pokémon, your opponent switches his or her Active Pokémon with 1 of his or her Benched Pokémon. Either way, if you have any Benched Pokémon, switch Feraligatr with 1 of them. This power can’t be used if Feraligatr is affected by a Special Condition.
48 Gengar 48/165 Gengar Rare Psychic
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), if your opponent has 3 or fewer Prizes, you may move 1 damage counter from 1 Pokémon (yours or your opponent’s) to another (even if it would Knock Out the other Pokémon). This power can’t be used if Gengar is affected by a Special Condition.
49 Golem 49/165 Golem Rare Fighting
Card text
All damage done by attacks to Golem is reduced by 10 (after applying Weakness and Resistance).
50 Kingler 50/165 Kingler Rare Water
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
51 Machamp 51/165 Machamp Rare Fighting
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), look at the top 4 cards from your deck and rearrange them as you like. This power can’t be used if Machamp is Poisoned, Burned, Asleep, Confused or Paralyzed.
52 Magby 52/165 Magby Rare Fire
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, put a basic Energy card from your discard pile into your hand.
53 Meganium 53/165 Meganium Rare Grass
Card text
The Defending Pokémon is now Asleep.
54 Meganium 54/165 Meganium Rare Grass
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), you may flip a coin. If heads, remove 1 damage counter from each of your Pokémon that has any. This power can’t be used if Meganium is affected by a Special Condition.
55 Mew 55/165 Mew Rare Psychic
Card text
Choose 1 of your opponent’s Pokémon. Count the number of Energy cards attached to that Pokémon. Put that many damage counters on the Pokémon.
56 Mewtwo 56/165 Mewtwo Rare Psychic
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Asleep.
57 nINETALES 57/165 Ninetales Rare Fire
Card text
Flip 2 coins. If either of them is heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Confused.
58 Pichu 58/165 Pichu Rare Lightning
Card text
Power Punch
59 Pidgeot 59/165 Pidgeot Rare Colorless
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), if Pidgeot is your Active Pokémon, you may shuffle 1 of your Benched Pokémon and all cards attached to it into your deck. This power can’t be used if Pidgeot is affected by a Special Condition.
60 Poliwrath 60/165 Poliwrath Rare Water
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), if Poliwrath is on your Bench, you may flip a coin. If heads, take all Energy cards attached to your Active Pokémon, if any, and attach them to Poliwrath. Then switch Poliwrath with your Active Pokémon.
61 Raichu 61/165 Raichu Rare Lightning
Card text
If there are any Lightning Energy cards in your discard pile, flip a coin. If heads, attach 1 of them to Raichu.
62 Rapidash 62/165 Rapidash Rare Fire
Card text
If your opponent has any Benched Pokémon, Choose 1 of them and flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 10 damage to that Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)
63 Skarmory 63/165 Skarmory Rare Metal
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 20 damage plus 10 more damage.
64 Typhlosion 64/165 Typhlosion Rare Fire
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 10 damage plus 20 more damage
65 Typhlosion 65/165 Typhlosion Rare Fire
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), you may count the total number of Energy cards attached to all of your Pokémon and all of your opponent’s Pokémon. If your opponent has more total Energy cards attached, you may search your deck for 1 Fire Energy card and attach it to 1 of your Benched Pokémon, if any. Shuffle your deck afterward. This power can’t be used if Typhlosion is affected by a Special Condition.
66 Tyranitar 66/165 Tyranitar Rare Darkness
Card text
All Energy attached to Tyranitar is Darkness Energy instead of its usual type.
67 Venusaur 67/165 Venusaur Rare Grass
Card text
If this attack damages the Defending Pokémon (after applying Weakness and Resistance), remove 1 damage counter from Venusaur, if it has any.
68 Venusaur 68/165 Venusaur Rare Grass
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), if you attach an Energy card to your Active Pokémon as part of your turn, you may attach an additional Energy card to that Pokémon at the same time. This power can’t be used if Venusaur is affected by a Special Condition.
69 Vileplume 69/165 Vileplume Rare Grass
Card text
Once during your turn (before your attack), you may flip a coin. If heads the Defending Pokémon is now Poisoned. This power can’t be used if Vileplume is affected by a Special Condition.
70 Weezing 70/165 Weezing Rare Grass
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Poisoned. If tails, the Defending Pokémon is now Confused.
71 Bayleef 71/165 Bayleef Uncommon Grass
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Confused.
72 Chansey 72/165 Chansey Uncommon Colorless
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, remove 2 damage counters from 1 of your Pokémon. If the Pokémon has just 1 damage counter, remove it.
73 Charmeleon 73/165 Charmeleon Uncommon Fire
Card text
Flip 2 coins. This attack does 20 damage times the number of heads.
74 Croconaw 74/165 Croconaw Uncommon Water
Card text
Croconaw does 10 damage to itself.
75 Dragonair 75/165 Dragonair Uncommon Colorless
Card text
Flip a coin until you get tails. This attack does 20 damage times the number of heads.
76 Electabuzz 76/165 Electabuzz Uncommon Lightning
Card text
Search your deck for a basic Energy card and attach it to Electabuzz. Shuffle your deck afterward.
77 Flaaffy 77/165 Flaaffy Uncommon Lightning
Card text
Flip a coin. If tails, Flaaffy does 20 damage to itself.
78 Gloom 78/165 Gloom Uncommon Grass
Card text
Both the Defending Pokémon and Gloom are now Confused (after doing damage).
79 Graveler 79/165 Graveler Uncommon Fighting
Card text
Don’t apply Resistance.
80 Haunter 80/165 Haunter Uncommon Psychic
Card text
The Defending Pokémon is now Asleep.
81 Hitmonlee 81/165 Hitmonlee Uncommon Fighting
Card text
If your opponent has any Benched Pokémon, choose 1 of them and this attack does 30 damage to it. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)
82 Ivysaur 82/165 Ivysaur Uncommon Grass
Card text
The Defending Pokémon is now Asleep.
83 Jynx 83/165 Jynx Uncommon Water
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
84 Kadabra 84/165 Kadabra Uncommon Psychic
Card text
Attach 2 basic Energy cards from your discard pile to Kadabra (1 if you have only 1).
85 Machoke 85/165 Machoke Uncommon Fighting
Card text
Punch
86 Magmar 86/165 Magmar Uncommon Fire
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Burned.
87 Metapod 87/165 Metapod Uncommon Grass
Card text
All damage done by attacks to Metapod is reduced by 20 (after applying Weakness and Resistance).
88 Pidgeotto 88/165 Pidgeotto Uncommon Colorless
Card text
If your opponent has any Benched Pokémon, he or she chooses 1 of them and switches the Defending Pokémon with it. (Do the damage before switching the Pokémon.)
89 Poliwhirl 89/165 Poliwhirl Uncommon Water
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
90 Pupitar 90/165 Pupitar Uncommon Fighting
Card text
Headbutt
91 Quilava 91/165 Quilava Uncommon Fire
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Burned.
92 Wartortle 92/165 Wartortle Uncommon Water
Card text
Flip 2 coins. This attack does 10 times the number of heads.
93 Abra 93/165 Abra Common Psychic
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Confused.
94 Bulbasaur 94/165 Bulbasaur Common Grass
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Poisoned.
95 Bulbasaur 95/165 Bulbasaur Common Grass
Card text
The Defending Pokémon is now Asleep.
96 Caterpie 96/165 Caterpie Common Grass
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
97 Charmander 97/165 Charmander Common Fire
Card text

Flip 2 coins. This attack does 10 damage times the number of heads.
98 Charmander 98/165 Charmander Common Fire
Card text

Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Burned.
99 Chikorita 99/165 Chikorita Common Grass
Card text
The Defending Pokémon is now Asleep.
100 Chikorita 100/165 Chikorita Common Grass
Card text
The Defending Pokémon is now Asleep.
101 Clefairy 101/165 Clefairy Common Colorless
Card text
The Defending Pokémon is now Asleep.
102 Corsola 102/165 Corsola Common Water
Card text
Flip 3 coins. This attack does 20 damage times the number of heads.
103 Cubone 103/165 Cubone Common Fighting
Card text
Flip a coin. If tails, this attack does nothing.
104 Cyndaquil 104/165 Cyndaquil Common Fire
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Burned.
105 Cyndaquil 105/165 Cyndaquil Common Fire
Card text
Discard a Fire Energy card attached to Cyndaquil.
106 Diglett 106/165 Diglett Common Fighting
Card text
Flip 3 coins. This attack does 10 damage times the number of heads
107 Dratini 107/165 Dratini Common Colorless
Card text
Flip a coin. If tails, this attack does nothing.
108 Ekans 108/165 Ekans Common Grass
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Poisoned.
109 Gastly 109/165 Gastly Common Psychic
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Asleep. If tails, the Defending Pokémon is now Confused.
110 Geodude 110/165 Geodude Common Fighting
Card text
Don’t apply Resistance.
111 Goldeen 111/165 Goldeen Common Water
Card text
Splash
112 Hoppip 112/165 Hoppip Common Grass
Card text
The Defending Pokémon is now Asleep.
113 Houndour 113/165 Houndour Common Psychic
Card text
Bite
114 Koffing 114/165 Koffing Common Grass
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Confused.
115 Krabby 115/165 Krabby Common Water
Card text
Crabhammer
116 Larvitar 116/165 Larvitar Common Fighting
Card text
Bite
117 Machop 117/165 Machop Common Fighting
Card text
Punch
118 Magikarp 118/165 Magikarp Common Water
Card text
This attack does 10 damage times the number of damage counters on Magikarp.
119 Mareep 119/165 Mareep Common Lightning
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
120 Marill 120/165 Marill Common Water
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
121 Meowth 121/165 Meowth Common Colorless
Card text
Flip 2 coins. This attack does 10 damage times the number of heads.
122 Oddish 122/165 Oddish Common Grass
Card text
The Defending Pokémon is now Asleep.
123 Pidgey 123/165 Pidgey Common Colorless
Card text
Flip 3 coins. This attack does 10 damage times the number of heads.
124 Pikachu 124/165 Pikachu Common Lightning
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
125 Poliwag 125/165 Poliwag Common Water
Card text
Headbutt
126 Ponyta 126/165 Ponyta Common Fire
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Burned.
127 Qwilfish 127/165 Qwilfish Common Water
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
128 Rattata 128/165 Rattata Common Colorless
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 10 damage plus 20 more damage.
129 Shellder 129/165 Shellder Common Water
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
130 Spearow 130/165 Spearow Common Colorless
Card text
Flip a coin. If tails, this attack does nothing.
131 Squirtle 131/165 Squirtle Common Water
Card text
Flip 2 coins. This attack does 20 damage times the number of heads.
132 Squirtle 132/165 Squirtle Common Water
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
133 Tauros 133/165 Tauros Common Colorless
Card text
Flip a coin. If tails, this attack does nothing.
134 Totodile 134/165 Totodile Common Water
Card text
Flip 2 coins. This attack does 20 damage times the number of heads.
135 Totodile 135/165 Totodile Common Water
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
136 Vulpix 136/165 Vulpix Common Fire
Card text
The Defending Pokémon is now Asleep.
137 BillMaintenance 137/165 Bill’s Maintenance Uncommon T[Su]
Card text
If you have any cards in your hand, shuffle 1 of them into your deck, then draw 3 cards.
138 Copycat 138/165 Copycat Uncommon T[Su]
Card text
Shuffle your hand into your deck. Then, count the number of cards in your opponent’s hand and draw that many cards.
139 DualBall 139/165 Dual Ball Uncommon T
Card text
Flip 2 coins. For each heads, search your deck for a Basic Pokémon card other than a Baby Pokémon card, show it to your opponent, and put it into your hand. Shuffle your deck afterward.
140 EnergyRemoval2 140/165 Energy Removal 2 Uncommon T
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, choose 1 Energy card attached to 1 of your opponent’s Pokémon and discard it.
141 EnergyRestore 141/165 Energy Restore Uncommon T
Card text
Flip 3 coins. For each heads, put a Basic Energy card from your discard pile into your hand. If you don’t have that many basic Energy cards in your discard pile, put all of them into your hand.
142 MaryImpulse 142/165 Mary’s Impulse Uncommon T[Su]
Card text
Flip a coin until you get tails. For each heads, draw 2 cards.
143 MasterBall 143/165 Master Ball Uncommon T
Card text
Look at 7 cards from the top of your deck. You may choose a Basic Pokémon or Evolution card from those cards, show it your opponent, then put it into your hand. Shuffle the rest into your deck.
144 MultiTechnical 144/165 Multi Technical Machine 01 Uncommon T[TM]
Card text
The Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
145 PokemonNurse 145/165 Pokémon Nurse Uncommon T[Su]
Card text
Remove all damage counters from 1 of your Pokémon. Then discard all Energy cards attached to it, if any.
146 Pok monReversal 146/165 Pokémon Reversal Uncommon T
Card text
Choose 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon. Flip a coin. If heads, switch that Pokémon with the Defending Pokémon.
147 EnergyCharge 147/165 Power Charge Uncommon T
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, shuffle up to 2 Energy cards from your discard pile into your deck.
148 ProfessorElmTrainingMethod 148/165 Professor Elm’s Training Method Uncommon T[Su]
Card text
Search your deck for an Evolution card, show it to your opponent, and put it into your hand. Shuffle your deck afterward.
149 ProfessorOak 149/165 Professor Oak’s Research Uncommon T[Su]
Card text
Shuffle your hand into your deck, then draw 5 cards.
150 StrengthCharm 150/165 Strength Charm Uncommon T[Tool]
Card text
Whenever an attack from the Pokémon that Strength Charm is attached to does damage (after applying Weakness and Resistance), the attack does 10 more damage. At the end of your turn in which this happens, discard Strength Charm.
151 SuperScoopUp 151/165 Super Scoop Up Uncommon T
Card text
Flip a coin. If heads, return 1 of your Pokémon and all cards attached to it to your hand.
152 WarpPoint 152/165 Warp Point Uncommon T
Card text
If your opponent has any Benched Pokémon, he or she chooses 1 of them and switches it with his or her Active Pokémon, then, if you have any Benched Pokémon, you switch 1 of them with your Active Pokémon.
153 EnergySearch 153/165 Energy Search Common T
Card text
Search your deck for a basic Energy card and put it into your hand. Shuffle your deck afterward.
154 FullHeal 154/165 Full Heal Common T
Card text
Your Active Pokémon is no longer Asleep, Confused, Paralyzed, or Poisoned.
155 MoomooMilk 155/165 Moo-Moo Milk Common T
Card text
Choose 1 of your Pokémon. Flip 2 coins. Remove 2 damage counters times the number of heads from that Pokémon. If the Pokémon has fewer damage counters than that, remove all of them.
156 Potion 156/165 Potion Common T
Card text
Remove up to 2 damage counters from 1 of your Pokémon.
157 Switch 157/165 Switch Common T
Card text
Switch 1 of your Benched Pokémon with your Active Pokémon.
158 DarknessEnergy 158/165 Darkness Energy Rare DarknessE
Card text
If the Pokémon Darkness Energy is attached to damages the Defending Pokémon (after applying Weakness and Resistance), the attack does 10 more damage to the Defending Pokémon. At the end of every turn, put 1 damage counter on the Pokémon Darkness Energy is attached to, unless it’s Darkness or has Dark in its name.
Darkness Energy provides Darkness Energy. (Doesn’t count as a basic Energy card.)
159 MetalEnergy 159/165 Metal Energy Rare MetalE
Card text
Damage done to the Pokémon Metal Energy is attached to is reduced by 10 (after applying Weakness and Resistance). If the Pokémon Metal Energy is attached to isn’t Metal, whenever it damages a Pokémon, reduce that damage by 10 (before applying Weakness and Resistance).
Metal Energy provides Metal Energy. (Doesn’t count as a basic Energy card.)
160 FightingEnergy 160/165 Fighting Energy __ FightingE
161 FireEnergy 161/165 Fire Energy __ FireE
162 GrassEnergy 162/165 Grass Energy __ GrassE
163 LightningEnergy 163/165 Lightning Energy __ LightningE
164 PsychicEnergy 164/165 Psychic Energy __ PsychicE
165 WaterEnergy 165/165 Water Energy __ WaterE

For Collectors: Most Valuable Cards

Expedition sits in an unusual position. It is not a set most casual collectors think about, and yet the e-Card era has appreciated faster than almost anything else from the Wizards years — precisely because so few survive in good condition.

The 32 Holo Rares (1–32/165)

The set opens with 32 consecutive Holo Rares, an unusually deep holo run for the era. The artwork throughout is widely considered among the best in the game’s history, helped by the redesign giving illustrations more room to breathe.

Reverse Holos — the first on new cards

Every card in the set exists in a reverse-holo version. Because Expedition is the first set of original cards to get this treatment, its reverse holos carry a first-of-their-kind status that Legendary Collection’s reprints cannot.

Why grading matters more here

These cards were made to be swiped through a slot, and plenty of them were. Edge wear and surface scratching from e-Reader use is common even on otherwise carefully kept cards. High-grade examples are correspondingly scarce — inspect edges and surfaces closely before buying ungraded.

A set bought at the wrong moment

Expedition landed while the Pokémon TCG’s popularity was dipping and the e-Reader was struggling outside Japan. Fewer packs were opened, fewer cards were kept, and the whole e-Card series is scarcer than its print runs imply. That is the collector’s argument for it: an underrated set that the market has spent twenty years slowly catching up on.

Vintage prices move constantly. Treat any quoted figure as directional and check live sold comps before buying or selling.

The box toppers

Every sealed booster box carried an oversized box topper, following the practice Legendary Collection had introduced a few months earlier. Expedition’s four were Alakazam, Tyranitar, Venusaur and Feraligatr — and they are the opening four of a 12-card subset completed across Aquapolis and Skyridge. Collectors chasing the full run therefore need boxes from all three e-Card sets.

Most Powerful Cards (Competitive Play)

Expedition’s competitive legacy is not a single dominant card. It is a pair of structural changes that shaped how Pokémon cards were written for the next ten years.

Poké-Powers and Poké-Bodies

Until Expedition, everything was simply a “Pokémon Power”, and whether it needed activating was a matter of reading the text carefully. Expedition split them: Poké-Powers must be activated, Poké-Bodies are always on unless something shuts them off. It sounds like housekeeping, but it made a whole class of effects unambiguous — and the distinction survived until Abilities replaced both in Black & White.

Technical Machine cards

Trainers that attach to a Pokémon and grant it an attack printed on the TM itself. A neat translation of the video games’ TMs into card form, and an early example of the game giving players a way to bolt capability onto a Pokémon rather than replacing it.

The hidden attacks

Genuinely unique to this era: some cards carried attacks that appeared nowhere on the printed card, accessible only by scanning the dot code with an e-Reader. No other Pokémon set has ever hidden game content inside the physical card this way.

Trivia & Pop Culture

  • Released in English on 15 September 2002; the Japanese Base Expansion Pack had arrived on 1 December 2001.
  • It was originally scheduled for May 2002 but was pushed back to September so that the Nintendo e-Reader would actually be on sale when the cards arrived.
  • Japan released the e-Card era as five separate sets; Wizards condensed them into three for the West — Expedition, Aquapolis and Skyridge — totalling over 500 cards, which finally closed the long-standing gap between the Japanese and international release schedules.
  • At 165 cards it was the largest English expansion produced to that point, with the first 32 all Holo Rares.
  • It is the third “base set” released in the West, after Base Set and Base Set 2.
  • Every card carries a Dot Code readable by the Nintendo e-Reader — loading Pokédex entries, minigames, music, and on some cards attacks that are not printed anywhere on the card.
  • To fit the dot code, flavour text, Pokédex data and Level were removed from the card face entirely.
  • Boosters held nine cards instead of eleven, because the Dot Code licensing carried a cost that had to come from somewhere.
  • It split Pokémon Power into Poké-Powers and Poké-Bodies, and introduced Technical Machine cards.
  • The e-Reader never caught on outside Japan, which is a large part of why the set is overlooked — and why surviving cards are scarcer than the print runs suggest.
  • Two theme decks accompanied the set: Echo and Electric Garden.

Images & Videos

Wizards of the Coast magazine advertisement for the Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set
The original Wizards of the Coast advertisement for Expedition, selling the e-Reader as the future of the trading card game. Click the image to open the full-resolution scan (1132 × 1542) in a new window.

All 165 cards from Expedition Base Set in official set order. Click any card to open it full size. The first 32 are Holo Rares, and every card here also exists in a Reverse Holofoil version — the images below show the standard prints.

  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Alakazam card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Ampharos card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Arbok card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Blastoise card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Butterfree card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Charizard card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Clefable card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Cloyster card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Dragonite card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Dugtrio card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Fearow card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Feraligatr card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Gengar card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Golem card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Kingler card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Machamp card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Magby card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Meganium card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Meganium card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Mewtwo card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Ninetales card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Pichu card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Pidgeot card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Poliwrath card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Raichu card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Rapidash card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Skarmory card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Typhlosion card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Tyranitar card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Venusaur card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Vileplume card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Weezing card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Alakazam card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Ampharos card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Arbo card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Blastoise card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Blastoise card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Butterfree card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Charizard card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Charizard card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Clefable card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Cloyster card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Dragonite card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Dugtrio card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Fearow card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Feraligatr card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Feraligatr card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Gengar card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Golem card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Kingler card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Machamp card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Magby card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Meganium card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Meganium card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Mew card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Mewtwo card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set n INETALES card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Pichu card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Pidgeot card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Poliwrath card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Raichu card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Rapidash card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Skarmory card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Typhlosion card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Typhlosion card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Tyranitar card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Venusaur card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Venusaur card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Vileplume card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Weezing card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Bayleef card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Chansey card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Charmeleon card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Croconaw card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Dragonair card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Electabuzz card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Flaaffy card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Gloom card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Graveler card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Haunter card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Hitmonlee card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Ivysaur card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Jynx card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Kadabra card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Machoke card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Magmar card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Metapod card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Pidgeotto card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Poliwhirl card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Pupitar card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Quilava card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Wartortle card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Abra card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Bulbasaur card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Bulbasaur card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Caterpie card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Charmander card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Charmander card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Chikorita card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Chikorita card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Clefairy card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Corsola card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Cubone card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Cyndaquil card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Cyndaquil card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Diglett card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Dratini card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Ekans card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Gastly card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Geodude card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Goldeen card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Hoppip card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Houndour card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Koffing card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Krabby card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Larvitar card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Machop card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Magikarp card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Mareep card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Marill card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Meowth card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Oddish card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Pidgey card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Pikachu card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Poliwag card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Ponyta card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Qwilfish card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Rattata card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Shellder card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Spearow card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Squirtle card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Squirtle card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Tauros card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Totodile card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Totodile card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Vulpix card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Bill Maintenance card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Copycat card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Dual Ball card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Energy Removal2 card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Energy Restore card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Mary Impulse card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Master Ball card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Multi Technical card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Pokemon Nurse card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Pok mon Reversal card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Energy Charge card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Professor Elm Training Method card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Professor Oak card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Strength Charm card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Super Scoop Up card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Warp Point card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Energy Search card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Full Heal card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Moomoo Milk card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Potion card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Switch card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Darkness Energy card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Metal Energy card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Fighting Energy card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Fire Energy card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Grass Energy card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Lightning Energy card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Psychic Energy card
  • Pokemon TCG Expedition Base Set Water Energy card

A sealed Expedition booster box from 2002 opened pack by pack, with PokeRev on YouTube
Four Expedition Base Set boosters opened, with UnlistedLeaf on YouTube

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