Holon Phantoms
Set Details
Where Shadows Fall, Phantoms Dwell
What mysteries await the bold Trainer who ventures into the unknown lands beyond the labs of Holon? In EX Holon Phantoms, there’s only one way to find out—step into the shadows! With more mysterious Pokémon Delta Species to discover, EX Holon Phantoms dares you to find what you’ve never seen before. You might think there’s no such thing as phantoms…until you catch one!
The EX Holon Phantoms Pokémon set materialized on May 3 2006 (English) and January 27 2006 (Japanese), inviting Trainers back to the Holon region—this time to the fog‑veiled wetlands south of Holon City. Comprising 110 cards plus a secret rare, the thirteenth EX‑Series expansion continues the δ Delta Species experiment but places its Pokémon in a more natural habitat. Most delta Pokémon here carry a single off‑type rather than the dual typings introduced in EX Delta Species, giving the roster a focused, almost cryptic feel. Four booster‑pack artworks—Mewtwo δ, Gyarados δ, Kabutops δ, and Zangoose δ—highlight the set’s blend of eerie folklore and scientific intrigue.
From a gameplay perspective, Holon Phantoms refined the beloved Holon Engine without breaking it. Holon’s Castform returns as both draw support and universal Energy fixer, while new Trainers such as Holon Adventurer and Holon Fossil deepen fossil decks and reactive strategies. δ‑branded Pokémon‑ex—including Crawdaunt ex, Kingdra ex, and Mew ex—use off‑type surprise to dodge conventional Weaknesses and deliver clutch knockouts. The expansion also debuts a new reverse‑holo “refractor” finish that coats the artwork background in a mirror‑like sheen, replacing the Poké Ball starburst of earlier sets.
Collectors gravitate to Holon Phantoms for its phantasmal treasures. It was the final English set to include a box topper, featuring an oversized Mew δ numbered 111/110. Hidden within boosters are three coveted Gold Star cards—Gyarados ☆, Mewtwo ☆, and Pikachu ☆—each bursting through the card frame with shiny, alternate‑color artwork. Early print runs of δ‑type commons display a faint “micro‑text” helix along the border, a subtle factory quirk prized by variant hunters. And for a playful Easter egg, tilt Pikachu δ (59/110) in strong light—the refractor foil reveals a hidden outline of the Holon Tower’s antenna. As the last chapter to bundle box toppers and the set that gave Pikachu its only Metal‑type appearance, EX Holon Phantoms remains a hauntingly irresistible stop on any journey through the EX era.
Holon Phantoms Set Cards
