Hidden Fates

Status: Released (August 2019)

Shiny Pokémon Return with Hidden Fates

The collecting world was set ablaze on August 23, 2019, with the release of the special expansion Hidden Fates. This set is widely regarded as one of the greatest modern Pokémon sets of all time. Its main draw was the "Shiny Vault," a massive subset of shiny Pokémon cards ranging from common favorites to powerful GX cards. Packs were only available in special collection boxes, leading to widespread shortages and a frenzy among collectors trying to pull the shiny "Charizard-GX."

The Bird Trio Takes Flight

Competitively, the set introduced the first-ever TAG TEAM trio: "Moltres & Zapdos & Articuno-GX." Their "Trinity Burn" attack dealt massive damage, while their "Sky Legends GX" attack could shuffle them back into the deck to prevent a knockout, making them a formidable force. However, the true legacy of Hidden Fates is its impact on collecting. It revitalized interest in the hobby, creating a "shiny hunting" phenomenon that would influence set design for years to come.