If you collect Pokémon cards, the XY series is a generation you cannot skip. This series ushered in a new era within the Pokémon TCG and set a firm tone straight away. Think Mega Evolutions, powerful EX cards and the return of nostalgic designs. In this blog we 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 started in February 2014 and ran until the end of 2016. After the popular Black & White era it was time for something new – and it came. The series introduced Mega Evolutions, in which Pokémon such as Charizard, Blastoise and Lucario grew into their most powerful form yet. That did not only make for visually impressive cards, but also brought 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 popular right away.
Flashfire (May 2014)
The Mega Charizard set. Both the X and the Y variant are still sought after today. Flashfire booster boxes have gone up in price considerably.
Furious Fists (August 2014)
Lucario-EX took centre 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 entrance. Big Pokémon, big attacks.
Roaring Skies (May 2015)
A fan favourite thanks to Shaymin-EX, which changed the metagame completely. 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)
The introduction of BREAK cards. Mewtwo-EX dominated this release.
BREAKpoint (February 2016)
Greninja BREAK and Gyarados-EX made for a strong Water focus.
Generations (February 2016)
Released specially for the 20th anniversary of Pokémon. Shinys, nostalgia, Full Arts – this set had it all.
Fates Collide (May 2016)
Zygarde-EX and Alakazam-EX took centre stage. 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 hugely popular to this day.
Why is this series so well loved?
As you know, the XY series combines competitive playability with visual nostalgia. XY Evolutions in particular was a bullseye. It brought old card designs back in a modern jacket. Other sets such as Flashfire and Roaring Skies stay in demand too – with collectors as well as investors.
The cards:
- Introduced Mega Evolutions and BREAK cards
- Brought much-loved Pokémon in new styles
- Combined strategy, power and nostalgia
We 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 that suits you.
The most popular and most valuable cards
Mega Charizard EX (Flashfire) – €2,000 – €2,500 (PSA 10)
Shaymin EX (Roaring Skies) – €100 – €250 (PSA 10)
Charizard Holo (Evolutions) – €1,500 – €1,795 (PSA 10)
Mewtwo EX Full Art (BREAKthrough) – €150 – €195 (PSA 10)
Is the XY series a good investment?
Definitely. The series is fully closed and sealed products are getting scarcer. Flashfire and Evolutions in particular are sought after. If you have cards from this era: store them well. And if you are still looking for them – do not wait too long.
The Pokémon XY series has it all: power, style and history. A valuable addition to any collection.
