First Partner Illustration Collection Series 2 Guide
Series 2 of the First Partner Illustration Collection dropped on 19 June 2026, bringing nine standard-sized Holofoil Full Art promo cards across Johto, Unova, and Galar — each box priced at US$14.99. Open one and you get a complete trio from one of those three regions at random; which trio is the mystery. Here's the full checklist and the smartest route to all nine.
What's inside each box?
Besides the three IR promos, every box includes two standard SV-era booster packs — one Mega Evolution – Perfect Order and one Mega Evolution – Chaos Rising — plus a sticker sheet featuring first partner Pokémon.
The promos are the main event, but the extra packs are a solid bonus at the US$14.99 box price.
Which trio did you pull? The full nine-card checklist
All nine are Illustration Rare Holofoil Full Arts, officially numbered within the MEP Black Star Promos 046–054 range, each stamped with the Pokémon 30th Anniversary logo. Each regional trio forms a connected panoramic illustration — place the three cards side by side and the full scene locks together.
- Johto trio — Chikorita (MEP 046), Cyndaquil (MEP 047), Totodile (MEP 048)
- Unova trio — Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott
- Galar trio — Grookey (MEP 052), Scorbunny, Sobble
How do you complete all nine?
Every box contains exactly one complete regional trio, chosen at random — there are no mixed boxes. You will never pull one Johto, one Unova, and one Galar card from a single pack. Three boxes gives you a chance at all three trios, but duplicate regions happen often enough that most collectors need four or five boxes to see every one.
The smarter move: buy two or three boxes, then trade your spares. If you pulled Johto twice, find someone sitting on two Galar sets — you're halfway done with one conversation. CardLoft's private trading circles are built for exactly this kind of swap: no listing fees, no strangers, just people you know finishing their sets.
What makes the artwork worth a closer look?
Artist Saboteri illustrated all 27 cards across the three series, and lined up together they form one complete 30th-anniversary panoramic display. The background detail in the Johto trio is genuinely impressive. Chikorita's card (MEP 046) hides Tin Tower, the Rainbow Wing, Ruins of Alph markings, Apricorns, and the Sudowoodo famously blocking Route 36. Cyndaquil's (MEP 047) pulls in Mt. Silver, the Ilex Forest shrine, and the Goldenrod Radio Tower; Totodile's (MEP 048) goes to Whirl Islands, the Shiny Gyarados at the Lake of Rage, and Olivine Lighthouse.
These are also believed to be the first standard-sized Illustration Rare promos of these nine starters — the 2021 First Partner Pack versions were oversized jumbo cards that couldn't be stored in a standard binder or submitted for grading. These can. Snap a photo in CardLoft to log them and see how your trio slots into the full panoramic display.
Frequently asked questions
Does each box contain one card from each region?
No. You get three cards all from the same region — either the complete Johto trio, the complete Unova trio, or the complete Galar trio. Which region is random.
Can these cards be pulled from regular booster sets?
No. All nine Series 2 IR promos are exclusive to the First Partner Illustration Collection boxes and cannot be found in any other sealed product.
How many boxes do you realistically need to complete the set?
A minimum of three to have a chance at all three regional trios, but duplicate regions are common — four or five boxes is more realistic in practice.
When does Series 3 release?
Series 3 — covering Hoenn, Kalos, and Paldea starters — releases on 7 August 2026, also at US$14.99 per box.
Can these promos be graded?
Yes. Unlike the oversized 2021 jumbo versions, these are standard card size, so they fit in binders and can be submitted for grading.