The most beloved sets from the Pokémon XY era

By Jessie Schreuders
3 min read


If you collect Pokémon cards, the XY series is a generation you can’t skip. This series heralded a new era in the Pokémon TCG and immediately set a strong tone. Think Mega Evolutions, powerful EX cards, and the return of nostalgic designs. In this blog, I’ll take you into the world of Pokémon XY – a series full of innovation, strategy, and collecting fun.


What is the Pokémon XY series?

The XY series began in February 2014 and ran until the end of 2016. After the popular Black & White period, it was time for something new – and it arrived. The series introduced Mega Evolutions, where Pokémon like Charizard, Blastoise , and Lucario evolved into their most powerful forms yet. It not only made for visually impressive cards, but also added a fresh dynamic to the game.

An overview of the main sets:


XY Base Set (February 2014)
The start of the series. EX cards and Mega Evolutions made their debut. Yveltal-EX and Xerneas-EX in particular were immediately popular.



Flashfire (May 2014)
The Mega Charizard set. Both the X and Y variants are still popular today. Flashfire booster boxes have increased in price considerably.


Furious Fists (August 2014)
Lucario-EX took center stage. The set brought a lot of fighting type support and had strong play value.

Phantom Forces (November 2014)
Known for Gengar-EX and the first appearance of the mysterious Silver Dialga.

Primal Clash (February 2015)
Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre made their appearance. Big Pokémon, big attacks.

Roaring Skies (May 2015)
A fan favorite thanks to Shaymin-EX, who completely changed the metagame. Booster boxes have become very rare.

Ancient Origins (August 2015)
Hoopa-EX, Lugia, and the return of the Delta Species concept made this a unique set.

BREAKthrough (November 2015)
Introduction of BREAK cards. Mewtwo-EX dominated this release.

BREAKpoint (February 2016)
Greninja BREAK and Gyarados-EX provided a strong water focus.

Generations (February 2016)
Specially released for the 20th anniversary of Pokémon. Shiny, nostalgia, full arts this set had it all.

Fates Collide (May 2016)
Zygarde-EX and Alakazam-EX were central. The set brought interesting Psychic strategies.

Steam Siege (August 2016)
A mix of old and new types. Volcanion and dual-type cards brought variety.

Evolutions (November 2016)
A tribute to the original Base Set. Charizard, Blastoise and Venusaur returned in modern form. Still wildly popular to this day.

Why is this series so beloved?

As you know, the XY series combines competitive playability with visual nostalgia. XY Evolutions in particular was a hit, bringing back old card designs in a modern guise. Other sets like Flashfire and Roaring Skies also remain popular – both with collectors and investors.

The cards:

  • Introduced Mega Evolutions and BREAK cards
  • Brought beloved Pokémon in new styles
  • Combined strategy, power and nostalgia

I personally see this series as a perfect bridge between classic and modern. Whether you are just starting out or have been collecting for years, XY has something for you.


The most popular and valuable cards

💥 Mega Charizard EX (Flashfire) – €2000–€2500 (PSA 10)
🌪 Shaymin EX (Roaring Skies) – €100–€250 (PSA 10)
🔥 Charizard Holo (Evolutions) – €1500–€1795(PSA 10)
🔮 Mewtwo EX Full Art ( BREAKthrough ) – €150–€195(PSA 10)


Is the XY Series a good investment?

Definitely. The series is completely closed and sealed products are becoming scarcer. Especially Flashfire and Evolutions are sought after. If you have cards from this era: keep them safe. And if you are still looking for them, don't wait too long.

The Pokémon XY series has it all: power, style, and history. A worthy addition to any collection.