2018 Topps High Tek Baseball Patterns Variations Cheat Sheet and Guide

2018 Topps High Tek Baseball patterns variations are a big part of the set’s identity. For those wishing to undertake it, it creates a chase to build a different kind of player rainbow (even though more traditional color parallels are included on the checklist as well). The patterns also create a puzzle of sort that needs to be solved.

What patterns are there? Which ones are common and which are rare? What to call them?

Let’s figure those out and make it a lot easier.

2018 Topps High Tek Baseball Patterns Variations Overview

As we dig in a little more to the 2018 Topps High Tek Baseball patterns, some patterns of their own will emerge. Generally, Topps gives each pattern a number (Pattern 1, Pattern 2, etc.). While helpful and fast, for some it’s easier to work with a name.

The patterns are often abstract so even those names can be hard. But we’ll do our best to cover both bases. Several sellers are online are also using names and consistency is good.

As far as rarity, several of the most common ones are available in very similar amounts. According to the initial info released by Topps, the base Pattern 1 cards land ten per box. Pattern 2 has eight. And it slowly decreases from there until some of the patterns become very scarce. How scarce? Gold SpecTEKular Diffractors are one-of-ones.

National League and American League Patterns?

Here’s where things get a little more complicated. As with past years, it looks as though the checklist is split in half. One group of players has one set of patterns while the other group has different backgrounds. So Group A as a Pattern 1 and Group B has a Pattern 1 that are equally common but don’t look the same.

Thankfully, it looks like we’ve figured out how the checklist splits. And if it’s correct, it’s pretty simple. National League players and American League players.

Sounds simple, right? It is as long as you think players and not necessarily teams. In a couple of instances, you have players from the past who played for a team that has since switched leagues. So while Jeff Bagwell is a member of the Houston Astros, his pattern variations match up with the National League ones.

We’ll list a checklist at the bottom to clear things up and make any updates if necessary.

2018 Topps High Tek Baseball Patterns Variations Gallery

Here’s the start of a gallery with the main 2018 Topps High Tek Baseball pattern variations you’re going to encounter. We’ll be keeping close tabs over the next little bit.

Based on the initial info from Topps, patterns 5 through 8 also come with backdrops traditionally held for parallels. And it looks like these might be combined with the existing patterns. But it’s going to take a little extra time due to their rarity and making sure they don’t get mixed up with the non-pattern parallels.

The following lists the pattern numbers as they appear to be, a name for each pattern, rarity based on early info from Topps (which may have changed — we’re watching to check), and what parallels are known for each pattern.

Pattern numbers reflect whether they’re AL or NL versions (ie Pattern 1A is the most common one for American League players, Pattern 1N is the most common for National League players).

Pattern 1

10 per pack.

Parallels:

• Blue – /150
• Green – /99
• Black – /50
• Orange – /25
• Red – /10
• Gold – 1/1

Pattern 2

8 per pack.

Pattern 3

6 per pack.

Pattern 4

4 per pack.

We’ll be looking to add images for Pattern 5 through 8 shortly as more 2018 Topps High Tek Baseball is opened. It might be a case where they are, in fact, more like parallels or they could be different patterns with the additions infused into the acetate stock. Here’s the original info the Topps information sheet had:

Magma Diffractor Pattern – 8 per pack

Parallels:

• Green – /99
• Black – /50
• Orange – /25
• Red – /10
• Gold – 1/1

Orbit Diffractor Pattern – 2 per pack

Parallels:

• Black – /50
• Orange – /25
• Red – /10
• Gold – 1/1

Galactic Diffractor Pattern – 1 per pack

Parallels:

• Orange – /25
• Red – /10
• Gold – 1/1

Gold SpecTEKular Diffractor Pattern – 1/1

2018 Topps High Tek Patterns Variation Checklist Split

This is what appears to be the lists for the two pattern groups, which appear to fall along AL and NL lines. We’ll keep any eye out for any exceptions. If you spot any, please let us know.