The sell sheets for the 10th XY TCG expansion set in Japan have been released to retailers and it is called Pokémon Card Game - XY BREAK - The Psychic King Rising (ポケモンカードゲームXY BREAK めざめる超王). The set will be released in Japan on March 18th, 2016 and will contain at least 78 cards. This will be the third XY BREAK set in Japan as the second BREAK set will be released in December. The booster packs will feature Mega Foodin artwork and will cost 150yen + tax for 5 cards.


A Mega Foodin deck box and a package of 32 Zygarde Perfect Forme card sleeves will also be released on March 18th, 2016 for 362 yen + tax each.


A M Tabunne EX Mega Battle Deck 60 and a Zygarde EX Perfect Battle Deck 60 will also be released. Both decks feature 60 cards and will each retail for 1,556 yen plus tax.

The official Pokémon YouTube channel updated with a video showcasing the reveal of a Trickster Zoroark Event Distribution for players of Pokémon Omega Ruby or Pokémon Alpha Sapphire via the Nintendo Network. Become a master of illusions with this crafty Zoroark! Use this Pokémon to confuse your opponents with moves common to other popular competitive Pokémon. Zoroark will be available via the Nintendo Network from November 4th, 2015 until November 20th, 2015. Details of this Zoroark have been added to our Event Database.

Get a Trickster Zoroark for Your Pokémon Game! Video

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r6UtzGMmYk

Pokémon BREAKthrough with New Evolution!

BREAK Evolution now available in the newest Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion, XY—BREAKthrough and Level 50 Zoroark distribution at GAME from November 6

London, United Kingdom — November 4, 2015 — The Pokémon Company International welcomes its latest Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion to the franchise as well as a new BREAK Evolution game mechanic, in Pokémon TCG: XY—BREAKthrough, now available in UK stores.

Pokémon TCG: XY—BREAKthrough introduces the new BREAK Evolution game mechanic which features an HP boost and a new attack or Ability when a Pokémon evolves, and also retains its existing attacks. Pokémon BREAK cards are distinctive with a landscape design, unique foil pattern, and uniquely rendered art. Six new Pokémon BREAK cards are available in the expansion including Chesnaught BREAK and Zoroark BREAK.

Alongside the launch of Pokémon TCG: XY—BREAKthrough, the crafty Pokémon Zoroark will be available as a Level 50 special character distribution, only at GAME, in the UK during a promotional period starting Friday, November 6 and ending Thursday, November 26. Taking Zoroark’s Illusion Ability to the next level, Zoroark will leave opponents mystified with moves common to other popular competitive Pokémon. Zoroark maintains the subterfuge as the Pokémon itself comes in an Ultra Ball instead of a Cherish Ball.

The Level 50 Zoroark can be obtained for free from the serial code printed on receipts in GAME stores, no purchase necessary. Players can then redeem and utilise Zoroark’s Sucker Punch, Sludge Bomb, Flamethrower, and Dark Pulse moves in Pokémon Omega Ruby, or Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, in addition to the Pokémon X or Pokémon Y video games . *

Zoroark is also featured as the star Pokémon on an exciting blister pack containing three Pokémon TCG boosters and special Zoroark pin. This package can be found only at GAME in the United Kingdom during this promotional period and will be available at other retailers subsequently.

Pokémon TCG: XY—BREAKthrough brings eight new Pokémon-EX including four new Mega Evolution Pokémon, plus 20 Trainer cards, complete with two full-art rare Ultra Trainer cards. Also, two new theme decks with 60 new cards, including one foil card, as well booster packs with 10 new cards in each pack, will provide the ability to increase the size and strength of your deck.

Pokémon TCG: XY—BREAKthrough theme decks and booster packs each include one in-pack code card that unlocks a virtual deck or 10 virtual cards from the XY—BREAKthrough expansion in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online at www.pokemon.co.uk/tcgo . The Pokémon TCG Online is also now available on iPad via the App Store.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) is a collectible and competitive trading card game. In the competitive Pokémon TCG, each player constructs a deck of 60 cards and uses it to battle against other players in fast-paced, strategy-oriented play. Since the debut of the Pokémon TCG in 1996, more than 21.5 billion cards have been shipped to 74 countries around the world.

* There is no purchase necessary to collect the special gift, but players do need to have a copy of Pokémon X, Pokémon Y, Pokémon Omega Ruby or Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, as well as a system in the Nintendo 3DS family to obtain Zoroark in their game .

McDonalds and the official Pokémon Omega Ruby or Pokémon Alpha Sapphire website have announced that Hoopa will be available for players of Pokémon X, Pokémon Y, Pokémon Omega Ruby or Pokémon Alpha Sapphire in the United States and Canada from November 27th, 2015 until December 23rd, 2015 at McDonald's via the Nintendo Zone. Hoopa is currently being distributed around the world.


Also being released around the same time as Hoopa at McDonald's is a new line of Pokémon Happy Meal toys and TCG cards. The toys being distributed are: Mega Latios, Pikachu, Lugia, Primal Groudon, Wobbuffet, Hoopa, Primal Kyogre and Rayquaza. There will also be 12 TCG cards distribution.

Get Hoopa for Your Game!

Get the Mythical Pokémon Hoopa at participating McDonald's! Hoopa comes with an awesome selection of moves, including the powerful Hyperspace Hole move, a Psychic-type attack that only Hoopa can learn! This is the first opportunity to get the newly discovered Mythical Pokémon, so don't miss out!

Hoopa is available at participating McDonald's between November 27 and December 23, 2015. You'll need a copy of Pokémon X, Pokémon Y, Pokémon Omega Ruby, or Pokémon Alpha Sapphire as well as a system in the Nintendo 3DS family. The Hoopa you receive will be in its Confined form. When Hoopa is in Pokémon Omega Ruby or Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, it can transform into the powerful Hoopa Unbound!

Visit McDonald's to get the amazing Mythical Pokémon Hoopa while you can!

Promotional Video

Press Release

The Pokémon Company International and McDonald’s USA announced today that one of the world’s most popular entertainment franchises has partnered with the world’s leading food service provider to kick off the latest Happy Meal promotion. The Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Happy Meal will be available at participating McDonald’s locations in the US and Canada from Friday, November 27 to Wednesday, December 23.

The Happy Meal will include one of eight Pokémon figures from the Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire video games: Pikachu, Primal Groudon, Primal Kyogre, Lugia, Rayquaza, Mega Latios, Wobbuffet, and the newly discovered Mythical Pokémon Hoopa. In addition to the toy, plus one of 12 Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) cards, fans in the United States will also be able to receive the Mythical Pokémon Hoopa for their Pokémon X, Pokémon Y, Pokémon Omega Ruby, and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire video games by bringing their game and Nintendo 3DS family system to participating McDonald’s locations and connecting to Nintendo Zone.

“The Pokémon Happy Meal is something our fans have enjoyed year after year,” said J.C. Smith, senior director of Consumer Marketing at The Pokémon Company International. “Receiving Hoopa while visiting McDonald’s makes this year’s program extra special.”

The Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Happy Meal promotion will be supported by McDonald’s through a fully integrated marketing campaign that includes television advertising, in-store POP, and online activities at HappyMeal.com. Fans who purchase a Pokémon Happy Meal can also unlock games and content via the McPlay app available on the App Store and Google Play.

Source: http://www.pokemonrubysapphire.com/en-us/pokemon/hoopa

The Pokémon Company International has announced that the Pokémon TCG Online game is getting a huge update on November 4th, 2015 which will include cards from the XY BREAKthrough expansion set.

The Pokémon TCG Online Is Getting a Huge Update, Coming Nov. 4th!

Experience an enhanced gameplay experience with new graphics, animations, and much more soon in the Pokémon TCG Online.

The Pokémon TCG Online is about to go get one of its biggest updates ever! Virtually every bit of the Pokémon TCG Online match experience is being improved, including better in-game graphics and animations, added functionality, and new music. This latest update will also include every card from the new Pokémon TCG: XY—BREAKthrough expansion, including powerful new Pokémon BREAK cards!

Next Client Version 2.32

The next major game update, version 2.32, will come out on November 4th. This version will include support for the exciting new expansion XY - BREAKthrough.

XY Basic Theme Deck Balance

In version 2.32 we also plan to make some balance changes to the XY Basic Blue, XY Basic Red and XY Basic Green theme decks that were introduced in version 2.31. Currently, these decks are a little too good, when compared with other available theme decks. The planned changes will pull their relative power back some. Look for details in the 2.32 patch notes when that version goes live.

Unlimited Tournaments Suspended

With the Shiftry turn 1 win currently an issue with Unlimited game play, we have suspended Tournaments in that format until a deeper resolution to that issue can be put in place. Simply banning the card from Unlimited is not planned, since the card is still available from boosters and there needs to be somewhere that the card is valid. Thanks in advance for your patience while a comprehensive solution is implemented.

Sources: http://forums.pokemontcg.com/topic/34353-in-development-xy-basic-decks-xy-breakthrough-more/ and http://forums.pokemontcg.com/topic/34874-the-pok%C3%A9mon-tcg-online-is-getting-a-huge-update-coming-nov-4th/#entry414959

The Pokémon Company International announced the XY BREAKthrough TCG expansion on September 23rd, 2015 and it was released on November 4th, 2015. It featured cards from the XY8 expansion set Blue Shock (青い衝撃) and Red Flash (赤い閃光) which were released in Japan on September 26th, 2015.

Newest expansion to the Pokémon Trading Card Game will break through in November!

New BREAK Evolution game mechanic coming to the Pokémon Trading Card Game in Pokémon TCG: XY—BREAKthrough very soon.

Pokémon TCG: XY—BREAKthrough is the newest expansion to the Pokémon Trading Card Game franchise. Booster packs and two theme decks—Burning Spark and Night Striker—will be available in stores on November 4, 2015, introducing over 160 new cards to collect and play. Pokémon BREAK Evolution opens a new path to power that builds on a Pokémon’s existing strengths and creates all-new battling options! One world of technology, one world of nature, and all the wonders of BREAK Evolution are yours to explore in the Pokémon TCG: XY—BREAKthrough expansion!

Key Features of the Pokémon TCG: XY—BREAKthrough Expansion

• New BREAK Evolution game mechanic—When a Pokémon evolves into a Pokémon BREAK, it gets an HP boost and a new attack or Ability, but it also gets to keep its existing attacks! Pokémon BREAK cards have a landscape design, unique foil pattern, and uniquely rendered art.
• 6 new Pokémon BREAK including Chesnaught BREAK and Zoroark BREAK
• 8 new Pokémon-EX including 4 new Mega Evolution Pokémon, plus 20 Trainer cards, including 2 full-art rare Ultra Trainer cards
• Booster packs—Packs of 10 additional cards selected from the expansion will be available.
• Two new theme decks—These 60-card preconstructed decks are designed to introduce players to the Pokémon TCG by enabling them to play right away. Each will include 59 standard cards and 1 special foil card.

XY—BREAKthrough theme decks and booster packs each include one in-pack code card that unlocks a virtual deck or 10 virtual cards from the XY—BREAKthrough expansion in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online at www.pokemon.co.uk/tcgo. The Pokémon TCG Online is also now available on iPad via the App Store.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) is a collectible and competitive trading card game. In the competitive Pokémon TCG, each player constructs a deck of 60 cards and uses it to battle against other players in fast-paced, strategy-oriented play. Since the debut of the Pokémon TCG in 1996, more than 21.5 billion cards have been shipped to 74 countries around the world.

Pokémon TCG: XY BREAKthrough Elite Trainer Box

The Pokémon TCG: XY BREAKthrough Elite Trainer Box was released on November 4th, 2015. Discover a new path to power that builds on a Pokémon’s existing strengths and all-new battling opportunities with the Pokémon TCG: XY—BREAKthrough Elite Trainer Box! One collection contains all you need to elevate your game, including gorgeous card sleeves and condition markers, 8 booster packs from the new expansion, and a player’s guide offering tips and strategies to help steer you to victory!


Join the Elite Trainers with the Pokémon TCG: XY—BREAKthrough Elite Trainer Box! Inside, you’ll find:

• 8 Pokémon TCG: XY—BREAKthrough booster packs
• 65 card sleeves
• 45 Pokémon TCG Energy cards
• A player’s guide to the XY—BREAKthrough expansion
• 6 damage-counter dice
• 1 competition-legal coin-flip die
• 2 acrylic condition markers
• A collector’s box to hold everything, with 4 dividers to keep it organized
• A code card for the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/product-gallery/xy-breakthrough-elite-trainer-box

The sell sheets for the 9th XY TCG expansion set in Japan have been released to retailers and it is called Pokémon Card Game - XY BREAK - Rage that Breaks the Heavens (ポケモンカードゲームXY BREAK 破天の怒り). The set will be released in Japan on December 11th, 2015 and will contain at least 80 cards. This will be the second XY BREAK set in Japan as the first BREAK set will be released later this month. The booster packs will feature Mega Red Gyarados artwork and will cost 150yen + tax for 5 cards.


A deck box and a package of 32 card sleeves will also be released on December 11th, 2015 for 362 yen + tax each.


On December 26th, 2015, three Battle Strength Decks will be released that each contain 16 cards. A Leafia set will feature Grass and Fighting type cards, a Thunders set will feature Fire and Lighting type cards and a Showers set will feature Water and Psychic type cards. Each set will cost 650yen + tax and will come with a Pokémon EX card.

The Pokémon Company International announced on the official Pokémon website that the Shiftry card from BW Next Destinies 72/99 will as of September 1st, 2015 be banned from all sanctioned Play! Pokémon tournaments that use the Expanded format. Below are the details regarding this card banning.

Shiftry Banned from Expanded Format

Shiftry (Black & White—Next Destinies, 72/99) is being removed from the Pokémon TCG Expanded format.

As of September 1, 2015, Shiftry will be banned from all sanctioned Play! Pokémon tournaments that use the Expanded format. This card has created an undesirable play environment because it:

• Creates a strategy that frequently wins on the first turn of the game
• Creates a non-interactive play environment where the opponent has little impact on the outcome of the match

Shiftry's previous Evolutions, Seedot (XY—Flashfire, 5/106) and Nuzleaf (XY—Flashfire, 6/106), are Grass-type Pokémon, so it's possible to evolve to Shiftry in one turn using the Forest of Giant Plants (XY—Ancient Origins, 74/98) Stadium card. With the help of Devolution Spray (Black & White—Dragons Exalted, 113/124), Super Scoop Up (XY—Furious Fists, 100/111), and Recycle (Black & White—Emerging Powers, 96/98), players can use the Giant Fan Ability repeatedly to get rid of all of the opponent's Pokémon—and win the game in one turn.

The Giant Fan strategy works consistently enough to cause concern. Frequent first-turn wins are a sign of an unhealthy play environment, and the Shiftry deck is capable of doing that a high percentage of the time. Since Shiftry has a clearly negative effect on the Expanded format, we feel that the best option is to ban it from that environment.

Shiftry's success does rely on a series of coin flips, so it always has some chance to fail, but cards such as Shaymin-EX (XY—Roaring Skies, 77/108) and Bicycle (Black & White—Plasma Storm, 117/135) usually provide enough drawing power to overcome a bad series of coin flips. Wobbuffet (XY—Phantom Forces, 36/119) and Baltoy (XY—Ancient Origins, 32/98) can stop the deck's strategy, but only if the opponent starts the game with one of them. Even then, the Shiftry deck can get around those Pokémon by using Lysandre (XY—Ancient Origins, 78/98) or other creative tactics.

Currently the Expanded format contains over 15 Pokémon TCG expansions. As new expansions are released, powerful card combinations with older cards may arise. Therefore, we will aggressively monitor tournament results and new expansions for any unhealthy card combinations. If any cards have a negative or centralizing effect on the metagame, we will ban them to maintain a fun and healthy play environment.

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/shiftry-banned-from-expanded-format/

The World Finals for the TCG and Video Games championships were held on August 23rd, 2015 in Boston, MA, United States. Players from around the world competed at the tournament.

2015 Pokémon World Champions

Masters TCG Champion: Jacob Van Wagner (USA)
Senior TCG Champion: Patrick Martinez (USA)
Junior TCG Champion: Rowan Stavenow (Canada)


Masters VG Champion: Shoma Honami (Japan)
Senior VG Champion: Mark McQuillan (Great Britain)
Junior VG Champion: Kotone Yasue (Japan)

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/meet-the-2015-pokemon-world-champions/

Boston Police Department Thwarts Two Armed Suspects

The Boston Police Department arrested 2 suspects, 18 year old Kevin Norton and 27 year old James Stumbo from Iowa, United States for unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and other firearm related offenses. The FBI is assisting the police department with the investigation of this matter.

The Pokemon Company said they were made aware of the threats which were posted on social media.

"Prior to the event this weekend, our community of players made us aware of a security issue. We gathered information and gave it as soon as possible to the authorities at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center who acted swiftly and spearheaded communication with the Boston Police Department. Due to quick action, the potential threat was resolved. The Pokémon Company International takes the safety of our fans seriously and will continue to ensure proper security measures are a priority."

Source: http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/29860467/2-men-arrested-with-several-guns-near-pokemon-world-championship

Update September 1st, 2015:

The two men will be held without bail for at least four months as they await trial.

2016 Pokémon World Championships - San Francisco

During the closing ceremonies, it was announced that the 2016 Pokémon World Championships will be held in San Francisco, CA, United States.


Source: https://twitter.com/Pokemon/status/635540662088171520

UK Toy Store The Entertainer in partnership with The Pokémon Company International is holding a special promotion for people from August 14th, 2015 until August 22nd, 2015. A special TCG Collector’s Album will be available for free until August 20th, 2015. Full details are below in the press release.

Meet Pikachu, Collect Pokémon Cards, and Enjoy Late-Summer Pokémon Fun at The Entertainer!

Pick up an exclusive Pokémon TCG: XY—Ancient Origins Collector’s Album at The Entertainer from August 20 whilst stocks last. Lucky customers might even discover Pikachu in the shop!

London, United Kingdom—August 14, 2015— What better way to spend the final days of the long summer holiday than collecting Pokémon cards? From August 20, Pokémon fans heading to The Entertainer can pick up an exclusive Collector’s Album free of charge in which they can showcase some of their cards from the latest Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion, XY — Ancient Origins.

Budding collectors can even get their albums started by looking for special sampling packs, which include three Pokémon cards, cover-mounted onto popular children’s publications including Toxic, Kick, Kraze, and National Geographic Kids, available at all good newsagents.

A very important guest will be discovered in selected Entertainer shops across the country, too, when Pikachu makes public appearances to meet kids and pose for photos!

As a precursor to the national campaign, and to celebrate the opening of the Pokémon Animation Studio at KidZania in Westfield London, Pokémon will be taking over that branch of The Entertainer! A series of special activities will run from August 14 until September 16: a bespoke shopfront takeover will be unveiled on August 14, lovingly designed to feature many fan-favourite Pokémon.

On August 15, the free Pokémon TCG: XY — Ancient Origins Collector’s Album will become available early at Westfield London’s The Entertainer. *

For the duration of the promotion, and also whilst stocks last, customers who present their Kidzania proof of purchase at The Entertainer’s London Westfield branch will receive a free Pokémon Trading Card Game sample pack.*

Finally, fans who come to the shop on August 22 may discover a friendly Pikachu to welcome them into the shop!

This project builds on the success of a similar collaboration between The Pokémon Company International and The Entertainer that took place late last year and saw fans coming into shops to claim a free Collector’s Album for the Pokémon TCG: XY — Phantom Forces expansion.

Stuart Grant, Buying Director at The Entertainer, said: “We are delighted to be working with The Pokémon Company International on a second very special promotion at our shops. This one is perfectly timed for the end of summer holiday and back-to-school period. We’re particularly proud of the special window display in Westfield London, too!”

Mathieu Galante, Senior Market Development Manager at The Pokémon Company International, said: “This is a key summer promotion for us and has been especially designed in tandem with The Entertainer and Esdevium. We hope to offer a great experience to Pokémon fans and that people will enjoy meeting Pikachu in person!”

Pokémon Sampling Packs Terms and Conditions

• Customers can claim their free sample pack at The Entertainer White City only
• Free packs can only be claimed between 14th August 2015 – 16th September 2015
• One free sampling pack per person upon presenting their Kidzania boarding card or e-ticket
• Only the named person on the booking card or e-ticket can claim a free sample pack
• We reserve the right to ask for proof of ID prior to giving the sample pack away
• Promoters name: The Entertainer
• Promoters address: The Entertainer, Boughton Business Park, Bell Lane, Little Chalfont, Bucks, HP6 6GL

Source: http://www.thetoyshop.com/pokemontc

A Pikachu Spectacle at Summer in the City!

Attendees of Summer in the City will be able to discover the UK’s very first live ‘Horde Encounter’ of Pikachu at ExCeL London on 15 August.
London, United Kingdom, August 12, 2015 - The Pokémon Company International will be attending this year’s Summer in the City at Exhibition Centre London, and will be making an appearance with not just one, but five Pikachu on Saturday, 15 August.

Summer in the City is an annual event that brings together the YouTube community, ranging from creators to viewers and industry professionals. In celebration of the newly launched Pokémon Trading Game expansion, XY—Ancient Origins, attendees of the popular expo will be able to see a horde of five Pikachu making their way through the halls of ExCeL London in the afternoon.

Summer in the City 2015 will have live performances with back-to-back stage shows from a wide range of YouTube’s prolific personalities, engaging discussions from panels concerning a number of current topics, and meet and greets, all on top of an expo hall packed with fun activities, merchandise tables, and sponsor stands.