Platinum

Status: Released (February 2009)

A New World of Battle: The Platinum Expansion

Released on February 11, 2009, the Platinum base set launched a new era in the Pokémon TCG, coinciding with the popular *Pokémon Platinum* video game. This expansion is most famous for introducing the "Lost Zone," a game mechanic where cards are removed from play entirely rather than sent to the discard pile, adding a high-stakes element to matches. Platinum also debuted "Pokémon SP" (Special Pokémon), which represented Pokémon owned by specific trainers like Team Galactic's Cyrus. These cards, easily identified by the trainer's face in the artwork, brought a new level of speed and synergy to the game.

The Power of SP and the Lost Zone

In the competitive scene, Platinum was revolutionary. The "SP" engine, driven by cards like Team Galactic's Invention G-105 Poké Turn and Power Spray, dominated tournaments for years. Key cards like Giratina LV.X utilized the Lost Zone to devastating effect, while Shaymin LV.X (Land Forme) became a staple for Grass-type decks. Collectors also chase the shiny versions of Vulpix, Lotad, and Swablu, which were included as secret rare cards. With its dark, edgy aesthetic and powerful new mechanics, Platinum remains one of the most mechanically influential sets in Pokémon TCG history.