What is a Pokémon master set – and where is the checklist PDF?
Updated 15 Oct 2026 · Prices: Cardmarket, 30-day average
A master set is every card of a set in every variant: all numbers including the secret rares, plus every reverse holo version (for vintage sets also 1st Edition and Shadowless). That makes a master set almost twice the size of the regular set. A free printable checklist PDF exists for every set on the checklists page, in every language the set was printed in.
How big are the newest master sets?
Cards from the catalogue, reverse holos from TCGdex (– = no data yet):
| Set | Cards | + reverse holo | Master set | Pages (9-pocket) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30th Celebration | 161 | – | 161 | 18 |
| Pitch Black | 120 | 74 | 194 | 22 |
| Chaos Rising | 122 | 76 | 198 | 22 |
| Perfect Order | 124 | 79 | 203 | 23 |
| Ascended Heroes | 295 | 38 | 333 | 37 |
| Phantasmal Flames | 130 | 84 | 214 | 24 |
| Mega Evolution | 188 | 122 | 310 | 35 |
| White Flare | 173 | 80 | 253 | 29 |
Example Pitch Black: 120 cards plus 74 reverse holos make 194 cards. That is 22 pages with 9 pockets or 17 with 12. Most collectors leave out promos, language variants and stamped cards.
How to work with the checklist
- Set the scope. Numbers only (set), numbers plus reverse holos (master set), or holo and 1st Edition on top for vintage sets.
- Print the checklist. The PDF lists every card with number, name, rarity and current Cardmarket price, ready to tick off.
- Tick off what you have. Fastest is set by set while sorting your cards.
- Make the gaps visible. Print placeholders for the missing cards and put them in the right pocket. Checklist and binder then show the same thing.
- Buy the missing list. The prices on the checklist show where the money goes: usually into a handful of illustrations.
A fully worked example with page counts and layouts is in the guide 151 master set.
Master sets in Binderplan
The "Master set" template creates the whole set as a binder in one click: every card once, every card plus reverse holo, or every version of every card, sorted by set number, Pokédex or as a rainbow by type. You see what is missing and what it costs, and print the placeholders as a PDF.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Pokémon master set?
Every card of a set in every variant: all numbers including secret rares and every reverse holo version, for vintage sets also 1st Edition.
How many cards are in a master set?
Almost twice as many as in the set. Example Pitch Black: 120 cards plus 74 reverse holos = 194.
Where can I get a master set checklist PDF?
On binderplan.app/en/checklists, free and without sign-up, for every set and in every language it was printed in.
Do promos count towards a master set?
Usually not. Most collectors count the cards with a set number and their reverse holo variants; promos and stamped cards are a separate goal.
More guides: all articles · Catalogue: all sets with prices