POP Series 8 is the third DP Series set of the Pokémon Organized Play program and follows a similar trend set in POP Series 6. As such, this set contains several reprints. Unlike POP Series 7 however, it also includes some new cards. All of the Pokémon featured in the set are from the Japanese DP-P Promotional cards collection. POP Series 8 packs also include an Energy card in light of the 2008-2009 season, which focuses on Energy. This brings the number of cards per pack up to 3.
The release of POP Series 7 faced scrutiny by players, as the entire set was made up of Pokémon that were not in danger of being rotated out of play over the course of the coming season. POP obviously listened to feedback from the release of the set, as POP Series 8 includes arguably some of the most useful Trainer cards in the current format. Coupled with the Energy also available in the packs, POP Series 8 gained a more positive reception than that of POP Series 6 or 7.
This was the first POP set to include 3 cards per pack, as opposed to the original 2.
The rare cards Heatran, Lucario, Luxray, Probopass, Yanmega and the common card Happiny also had Cosmos holographic versions that came in the Platinum Value Pack (Heatran), Collector's Poster Box (Lucario), Double Value Pack (Luxray and Probopass), Platinum Poster Box (Yanmega) and Arceus Blister (Happiny).
The common cards Chimchar, Croagunk, Riolu, and the uncommon cards Carnivine, Luxio and Cherrim also have an holographic version like the Rotom cards from Rising Rivals (Cracked Ice Reverse Holo).
Counting all versions of all cards, this is the biggest POP set so far, with 29 cards.
Turtwig and Piplup are the only Pokémon cards in this set to not have a holo variation.
