Real vs Fake: A Guide to Authenticating Pokémon V / VMAX / VSTAR Cards

Real vs Replica

2026-01-22 11:04

Pokémon V, VMAX, and VSTAR cards were introduced in the Sword & Shield era of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, replacing GX cards from the Sun & Moon series. Pokémon V represents a special powered-up form, VMAX shows its Dynamax or Gigantamax evolution, and VSTAR is a later evolution that introduced the VSTAR Power mechanic. Because these cards are visually striking and widely collected, they are also commonly replicated, making careful authentication important.

How to Legit Check the Pokémon V / VMAX / VSTAR Cards

1. Card Surface Texture and Holo Effect

Authentic: The card surface has visible texture. Under light, it shows a fine, scattered sparkle effect rather than a strong shine.

Replica: The surface has no texture. The card often shows an obvious rainbow shine instead of subtle sparkles.

2. Card Artwork Quality

Authentic: The artwork is printed cleanly and naturally as part of the card’s original design.

Replica: Some fake cards are made by cutting and pasting images, resulting in unnatural edges or inconsistent visuals.

3. Overall Brightness and Texture Detail

Authentic: The card looks brighter overall, with fine and even texture details across the surface.

Replica: The card appears darker, with a rougher texture. Some areas may look overly dark due to uneven printing.

4. Font, Text Alignment, and Trademark Placement

Authentic: Text thickness is consistent and easy to read. The trademark is correctly placed at the bottom of the card.

Replica: Text may look crowded, with inconsistent font sizes. The trademark placement can be incorrect.

Quick Authentication Checklist for Pokémon V, VMAX & VSTAR Cards

1. Card surface has visible texture with subtle sparkle under light

2. No strong rainbow shine on the card

3. Artwork looks natural and clean, not cut-and-paste

4. Overall card brightness is balanced, not overly dark

5. Text spacing and font thickness are consistent

6. Trademark is correctly positioned at the bottom

Authenticate Your Pokémon Cards with LegitApp

To double-check the authenticity of your Pokémon V, VMAX, or VSTAR cards, LegitApp provides a simple and reliable solution. Upload clear photos of your cards and let AI tools and experienced authenticators review the details for you.

You can click the “Get Items Authenticated Now” button in the top right corner to start the process anytime. LegitApp is available on both iOS and Android, making Pokémon card authentication easy wherever you are.