Buying an xy fates collide pack today is a bit like hunting for a piece of 2016 history that hasn't quite lost its shine. It's one of those sets that sits in a weirdly perfect spot for collectors—it's not as ancient (or expensive) as the original Base Set, but it's old enough to make you feel nostalgic for the days when Mega Evolutions ruled the tabletop. Back when this set dropped in May 2016, the Pokémon TCG was in a very different place, and looking back at it now, you can really see how much effort went into the artwork and the "vibe" of the Fates Collide era.
If you weren't around for it, the XY era was defined by high-octane gameplay and those massive, chunky Mega Evolution cards that took up the whole frame. Fates Collide was the tenth main expansion in this series, and it brought some heavy hitters to the front of the stage. We're talking about Alakazam, Umbreon, and the legendary Zygarde. Whether you're a long-time collector or someone just getting back into the hobby, there's something undeniably satisfying about the weight of a sealed pack and that familiar foil crinkle.
The Big Hits: What's Hiding Inside?
When most people go hunting for an xy fates collide pack, they're usually chasing a few specific cards that have held their value surprisingly well over the years. The "mascot" of the set is arguably Alakazam. The Secret Rare Alakazam EX (number 125/124) is a gorgeous card. It features Alakazam alongside Lugia and Umbreon in the background, which is just a total flex for a single card. The artwork has this almost ethereal, cosmic feel that really captures the "fates colliding" theme.
Then you've got Umbreon EX. Let's be real, anything with an Eeveelution on it is going to be popular, but the Full Art Umbreon EX from this set is particularly sleek. It's got those deep blues and blacks that look incredible in a binder. Even if you aren't a hardcore competitive player, pulling an Umbreon just feels like a win. It's one of those cards that you instantly want to slide into a top loader.
We can't talk about this set without mentioning Zygarde. Fates Collide was really the "coming out party" for Zygarde's various forms. You had the 10% Forme (the dog-like one), the 50% Forme, and the massive Complete Forme. At the time, Zygarde was being pushed hard in the marketing, and pulling a Zygarde EX was a big deal for kids trying to build a deck that could actually stand up to the powerhouse Mega Rayquaza decks of the era.
The BREAK Mechanic: A Forgotten Gem?
One of the unique things you'll find in an xy fates collide pack is the chance to pull a Pokémon BREAK card. For those who might have skipped this era, BREAK cards were these weird, horizontal gold cards that you'd play on top of an existing Pokémon. They gave the Pokémon more HP and a new attack while letting it keep its old ones.
In Fates Collide, we got some cool ones like Lugia BREAK and Delphox BREAK. While the community's opinion on the "gold" aesthetic of BREAK cards is often split—some people love the shiny, metallic look, while others think it's a bit gaudy—you can't deny they were unique. They didn't replace the rare slot in the pack; they usually took the reverse holo slot. This meant you could technically get a "double banger" pack where you pulled a BREAK card and a regular EX or Full Art in the same pack. That kind of dopamine hit is exactly why we keep coming back to these older sets.
The Nostalgia of 2016
It's funny how time works in the Pokémon world. In 2016, we were all obsessed with Pokémon GO (which launched just a couple of months after Fates Collide), and the TCG was riding a massive wave of renewed interest. Opening an xy fates collide pack brings back memories of trading cards on the playground or going to local game stores for Prerelease tournaments.
The set felt a bit darker and more "mystical" than the ones that came right before it, like Steam Siege or Roaring Skies. There was a focus on the clash between different legendary powers. It wasn't just about cute monsters; it felt like there was a bit of a story being told through the card art. Even the common cards, like the Deerling and Sawsbuck that change with the seasons, had a level of detail that made the world feel lived-in.
Is It Worth Ripping or Holding?
This is the eternal question for collectors: do you open the xy fates collide pack or keep it sealed? Sealed product from the XY era has been steadily climbing in price. It's not at the astronomical levels of XY Evolutions yet, but it's getting there. Because Fates Collide wasn't overprinted as much as some of the later Sun & Moon sets, sealed packs are becoming harder to find in the wild.
If you're a "sealed collector," having a few of these on your shelf is a great move. The pack art features Mega Alakazam, Zygarde, Team Flare, and Lugia—and honestly, they look great. But if you're like me and you lack self-control, opening them is just too tempting. There's always that "what if" factor. What if the Secret Rare Alakazam is in this specific pack? What if there's a pristine Full Art Glaceon EX hiding in there?
The pull rates in Fates Collide were generally pretty fair, too. Unlike some modern sets where you can go twenty packs without seeing a "hit," the XY era felt a bit more generous. You usually felt like you were getting your money's worth, even if you didn't hit the top-tier chase card.
Why the Art Style Hits Different
There's something about the "Full Art" cards from the XY era that just feels different from the "Alternative Arts" or "Special Illustration Rares" we see in the Scarlet & Violet era today. Back then, a Full Art card meant the Pokémon was the absolute star, usually standing against a textured, colorful background with bold outlines.
The xy fates collide pack features some of the best examples of this. The M Alakazam EX Full Art is a psychedelic masterpiece. It's busy, it's loud, and it's undeniably "Pokémon." While modern cards are beautiful in a more painterly way, these older cards have a "comic book" energy that really pops under a desk lamp. Plus, the texture on these cards was quite deep—you could really feel the ridges of the pattern when you ran your thumb over them.
Final Thoughts on the Set
At the end of the day, an xy fates collide pack is more than just eleven pieces of cardboard. It's a snapshot of a specific era in Pokémon history where the game was evolving (literally and figuratively). It wasn't the most expensive set ever released, and it didn't have a Charizard (which is probably why it stayed affordable for so long), but it had heart.
It gave us a reason to care about Alakazam again, it introduced us to the complex forms of Zygarde, and it gave Eevee fans some beautiful new cards to chase. Whether you're looking to relive your childhood, complete a master set, or just want to see if your luck is still holding up, there's never a bad time to crack one of these open. Just make sure you've got some sleeves ready, because you never know when that gold border is going to peek out from the back of the stack.
Honestly, even the "bulk" in this set is pretty cool. Getting a Mew or a Tyranitar non-holo rare still feels like a win compared to some of the filler we see in modern expansions. If you happen to find one of these packs at a decent price, grab it. The "fates" might just collide in your favor.