Pokemon Evolutions Set
A 113-card nostalgia-driven set recreating iconic Base Set artwork with modern EX mechanics for the 20th anniversary celebration.
xy12 Difficulty
2/5 to complete
Avg Card Value
$3
Market average
Top Card
Charizard Holo
$400+
Rarity Tier
Overview
Evolutions is the final XY-era main expansion, released in November 2016 as a love letter to the original Base Set. The 113-card set recreates classic artwork from 1999 with updated EX mechanics, featuring retro-styled Charizard, Blastoise, and Venusaur cards. It became one of the most opened modern sets due to nostalgia-fueled demand during the 2020-2021 Pokemon boom.
Best for
- People buying nostalgia sets who need the right Charizard-era print
- collectors pricing Evolutions (2016, 113 cards) as XY / BREAK / generations nostalgia cardboard — not as generic “old cards”
- anyone specifically hunting Charizard EX Full Art / Mega Charizard EX Full Art and needing the rest of the set for context
Skip this path if
- you refuse subset tracking and still want a clean master set claim
- you expect every card in Evolutions to carry similar resale (bulk is bulk)
Common mistakes
Collectors mishandle Evolutions by ignoring reverse holo and special subset rows when “completing” a set. Charizard EX Full Art / Mega Charizard EX Full Art still does most of the economic work inside a 113-card list — do not price bulk like hits. Listings labeled only “XY / BREAK / generations nostalgia” are not a SKU: match set code xy12 (2016) before you match the art.
What to check first
Start with foil condition — XY foils scuff, and buyers notice. Then inspect Charizard EX Full Art / Mega Charizard EX Full Art under real light before anyone says “NM” or grade. Gap the rest with the Evolutions checklist; sealed product does not replace the expensive row.
Most valuable cards
Charizard EX Full Art (#100) is the crown jewel at $40-80+ near-mint, featuring a modern take on the original Base Set Charizard pose. Mega Charizard EX Full Art (#101) commands $30-60. The reverse holo Charizard (#11) recreating the original artwork holds $15-30. Mewtwo EX Full Art and Dragonite EX Full Art are $10-20 each.
Cards from Evolutions
Tap any card to see price history and details.
28 of 113 
Venusaur EX
M Venusaur EX
Caterpie
Metapod
Charizard EX
Magmar
M Slowbro EX
Pikachu
Zapdos
Koffing
Machop
M Pidgeot EX
Dragonite EX
Misty's Determination
Super Potion
Psychic Energy
M Blastoise EX
Mewtwo EX
Pidgeot EX
M Pidgeot EX
Dragonite EX
Brock's Grit
Misty's Determination
![ナッシー[Exeggutor] #109](https://cdn.nextdio.com/pokemon/cards/xy12/109/low.webp)
ナッシー[Exeggutor]
Flying Pikachu
Surfing Pikachu
Imakuni?'s Doduo
Here Comes Team Rocket!
Tips to finish the set
Evolutions was massively printed, especially during 2020-2021 reprints, so non-Charizard cards are very affordable. The main cost is in the Charizard variants. Consider buying a near-complete common/uncommon set as a bulk lot and hunting only the EX and Full Art cards individually.
How to Complete This Set
- 01
Scan to verify Evolutions vs original Base Set cards — artwork is identical but borders differ
- 02
Look for the Evolutions set symbol to distinguish from Base Set
- 03
Track reverse holos separately — some command surprising premiums
- 04
Complete the 108-card set as a modern tribute to the original 102
Scan with the app
Evolutions cards deliberately mimic Base Set designs, making them easy to confuse with originals or reprints. The scanner instantly distinguishes between a genuine 1999 Base Set Charizard and an Evolutions reprint by reading the set symbol, card number format, and modern copyright text.
Common questions
01 Is Evolutions the same as Base Set?
No, Evolutions is a 2016 XY-era set that pays homage to the 1999 Base Set with recreated artwork. The cards have modern EX mechanics, different set symbols, updated HP values, and XY-era formatting. They are visually similar but mechanically different.
02 Why did Evolutions prices spike in 2020?
Evolutions prices surged during the 2020-2021 Pokemon card boom driven by social media influencers, nostalgia, and pandemic-era collecting. Logan Paul notably opened a $200,000+ first edition Base Set box, and Evolutions was the most accessible nostalgia alternative.
03 How can you tell Evolutions cards from Base Set?
Evolutions cards have the XY set symbol (a stylized pokeball), modern copyright dates (2016), updated HP values, and EX card variants that did not exist in 1999. The card stock and print quality also differ from original Base Set.
04 Is Evolutions still being printed?
Evolutions has had multiple print runs but is now out of print. Remaining sealed product trades at a premium, though the massive print volume means it is still relatively available compared to other out-of-print XY sets.
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