XY—BREAKthrough

Status: Released (November 2015)

A New Evolution in XY—BREAKthrough

The laws of evolution were rewritten on November 4, 2015, with the launch of XY—BREAKthrough . This expansion introduced the revolutionary "BREAK Evolution" mechanic—special landscape-oriented cards that were played horizontally over existing evolutions, granting them golden armor, extra HP, and powerful new attacks without replacing their original abilities. XY—BREAKthrough also explored the dual nature of Mewtwo with two distinct Mega Evolutions: Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y.

The Supremacy of Zoroark

While the golden BREAK cards were the flashy new toy, it was often the standard evolutions that stole the show. "Zoroark" with its "Stand In" ability became the premier switch-engine of the format, allowing players to retreat their active Pokémon for free every turn when equipped with a Float Stone. The stadium "Parallel City" also debuted, introducing a unique double-sided effect that could limit an opponent's bench or reduce their damage, adding a new layer of tactical depth to stadium wars. With its blend of striking new card designs and strategic utility, XY—BREAKthrough marked a golden era for the TCG.