Pokémon BREAK Explained
Pokémon BREAK is a gameplay mechanic that was introduced to the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) towards the end of the XY Series. Pokémon with this mechanic were featured in the expansion sets – XY BREAKThrough, XY BREAKPoint, XY Fates Collide, XY Steam Siege and XY Evolutions as well as on some XY Promo Cards.
This mechanic only featured in the Trading Card Game (TCG) and has not appeared in any Video games. It is no longer legal in tournament matches – standard or expanded format – but fans may still use it in private non-tournament games.
See Also: Pokémon BREAK Cards List & Gallery
How is Pokémon BREAK used in the Trading Card Game?
Pokémon BREAK is deemed to be a unique type of evolution that Pokémon can evolve to regardless of their stage. In the TCG a BREAK card is placed on top of the corresponding Basic, Stage 1 or Stage 2 Pokémon card. It then acts as an evolved form of that Pokémon, giving it additional HP, new attacks, and sometimes different abilities.
Cards with the BREAK mechanic are easily identifiable by their artwork and also by the fact that they have a landscape orientation rather than the usual portrait orientation of regular cards as can be seen in the Luxray BREAK card 47/122 depicted below.
BREAK cards show the featured character in gold, forcefully breaking through a honeycomb type material. The text on the card indicates the increased HP and new attack moves and / or abilities.
When played in the Pokémon TCG, a Pokémon BREAK card is placed horizontally on top of the corresponding Basic, Stage 1 or Stage 2 Pokémon card to cover the illustration at the top of the card. When a Pokémon BREAK is knocked out, the opponent takes one fewer prize cards compared to knocking out a regular Pokémon EX card. This means that Pokémon BREAK cards offer an advantage in terms of prize card trade-offs during gameplay.
What Pokémon have BREAK Cards?
A total of 35 Pokémon have been allocated BREAK cards. They are listed below in alphabetical order:
Arcanine
Beheeyem
Bonzong
Carbink
Chesnaught
Clawitzer
Crobat
Delphox
Empoleon
Florges
Golduck
Greninja
Ho-Oh
Hydreigon
Lugia
Luxray
Machamp
Mandibuzz
Marowak
Nidoking
Ninetales
Noctowl
Noivern
Omastar
Pyroar
Raichu
Raticate
Starmie
Talonflame
Trevenant
Wobbuffet
Xerneas
Yanmega
Yveltal
Zoroark
See Also: Pokémon BREAK Cards List & Gallery
