FTC 4B Grading System

FTC Grading runs on ORBIT — our in-house AI grading system.

Using 10+ scans per card (front, back, angled surface, edges, and corners), ORBIT measures the 4B's:

Balance, Borders, Brilliance, and Boundaries — then calculates the final FTC grade from the data shown below:

Subgrades + Final Grade

Each category gets a decimal score from 0.1 to 10.0 (in 0.1 increments).

Orbit then calculates a final numeric grade using a weighted average:

Balance: 30%

Brilliance: 30%

Borders: 20%

Boundaries: 20%

FTC Grade Labels

The final number maps to Orbit’s FTC labels:

10+ (Untouchable): 9.9 – 10.0

10 (Iconic): 9.7 – 9.89

9+ (Prestigious): 9.5 – 9.69

9 (Divine): 9.0 – 9.49

8 (Classic): 8.0 – 8.99

7 (Fresh): 7.0 – 7.99

6 (Graced): 6.0 – 6.99

5 (Patina): 5.0 – 5.99

4 (Fuddled): 4.0 – 4.99

3 (Hauled): 3.0 – 3.99

2 (Cooked): 2.0 – 2.99

1 (Clapped): 0.1 – 1.99

Iconic 10 Rule:

A card must meet these minimums to qualify for 10 (Iconic):
Borders > 9.8

Boundaries > 9.7

Brilliance > 9.8

Balance > 9.6

Proof-Based Deductions

Orbit only deducts for confirmed physical issues visible in the provided images.

If something can’t be confirmed as real damage, it doesn’t count against the score.