First Partner Illustration Collection: Every Series Explained

Pokémon guide

Everyone remembers their first partner. Whether you picked Charmander, Chikorita or Sprigatito, that choice stuck with you, and the First Partner Illustration Collection is built entirely around that feeling.

It’s one of the most searched-for Pokémon products in the UK right now, and the naming can be confusing, so here’s a clear guide to the series, what’s in each box and which one to pick.

What is the First Partner Illustration Collection?

It’s a run of small collection boxes, each one celebrating the starter Pokémon from three different regions. Every box comes with a special promo pack containing three illustration rare-style promo cards, two Pokémon TCG booster packs and a sticker sheet.

The promos are the reason people buy them. Each series has nine designs, and they’re drawn in the style of the illustration rares collectors already love from the main sets. They look fantastic lined up in a binder page.

Why there are several series

There are nine regions with first partners, from Kanto to Paldea, and each series covers three of them. That means you need all three series to complete every starter trio, which is exactly the sort of thing that keeps collectors up at night.

The series at a glance

Series 1: Kanto, Sinnoh and Alola

Series 1 features Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle, then Turtwig, Chimchar and Piplup, and finally Rowlet, Litten and Popplio. If you only buy one, this is the nostalgia pick, simply because the Kanto trio is in it.

Series 2: the regions in between

With Series 1 and Series 3 covering six regions between them, Series 2 fills in the rest, which leaves Johto, Unova and Galar. It’s had a lot of searches since launch, and we’ll add it to the shop if we can get stock.

Series 3: Hoenn, Kalos and Paldea

Series 3 brings Treecko, Torchic and Mudkip, Chespin, Fennekin and Froakie, plus the Paldea trio of Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly. It’s a great one for younger fans who started with Scarlet and Violet.

Is a First Partner Illustration Collection worth buying?

For the promos alone, we think so. We’ve opened plenty of these in the shop, and nobody has ever looked disappointed at the promo pack. You get three illustration-style cards you can’t pull from normal booster packs, plus two packs to open. As a gift for a younger collector, it hits the sweet spot between price and excitement.

One thing to be aware of: the two booster packs in each First Partner Illustration Collection are chosen by the manufacturer and can vary between print runs. So you can’t count on getting packs from a particular set. Buy it for the promos, and treat the packs as a bonus.

Who it’s best for

A First Partner Illustration Collection suits a few kinds of buyer. Kids who want something colourful to open. Adults who started with a particular region and want that trio on display. And binder collectors trying to put together every starter in one place.

How to display your first partners

The promos in a First Partner Illustration Collection are designed to be shown off, so it’s worth a little thought about how you store them. A few simple habits make a big difference to how they look in a year’s time.

• Use a 9-pocket binder. Three trios fill a page perfectly, one region per row.
• Sleeve first. Put each promo in a penny sleeve before it goes in the binder to protect the surface.
• Keep one box sealed if you can. Sealed collection boxes are popular with collectors later on.
• Use the stickers. Honestly, they’re fun, and they’re meant to be used, so don’t feel you have to save them.

Want something bigger?

If you love first partners and want something more premium, have a look at the Chinese First Partner Gift Box Set. It’s a set of three Simplified Chinese gift boxes for Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle, each with a special illustration card, matching sleeves and six packs.

And if you’re shopping for a younger fan who’s just getting started, the Pokémon 30th anniversary set is another lovely choice, since every card in it is a foil.

A quick word on the regions

If you’re newer to Pokémon, the regions are the different game settings, each with its own three starters. Kanto was the original, from the very first games, and Paldea is the most recent. Fans often have a favourite region based on the first game they played, which is why a First Partner Illustration Collection can feel surprisingly personal.

It’s also why these boxes make such good gifts. Ask someone which starter they picked as a kid and you’ll usually get a story, not just a name.

Frequently asked questions

How many promo cards come in each box?

Each First Partner Illustration Collection includes a promo pack with three of the nine illustration rare-style promos for that series.

Can you choose which promos you get?

No. You get three of the nine designs, so completing a series usually takes a few boxes or some trading.

Are the booster packs always the same?

No. The packs are chosen by the manufacturer and can change between print runs.

If you enjoyed this, our First Partner Illustration Collection range is one of the easiest gifts to wrap, too. Find more collection boxes in our English Pokémon cards range, or read more guides on the TCG blog. You can also learn more about every starter on Bulbapedia’s first partner page.