XY Evolutions ETB (2016): Contents and MSRP
By Dexhaul Team · October 19, 2026 · 6 min read
The XY Evolutions Elite Trainer Box contains 8 booster packs, 65 card sleeves in either the Mega Charizard EX or Mega Blastoise EX design, and a set of play accessories. The original retail price was $39.99 USD when it launched on November 2, 2016. No promo card is included, which makes it the only XY-era ETB to ship without one.
XY Evolutions (set code XY12) was the final main set of the XY era and the 20th-anniversary celebration set. It reprints cards from the original 1999 Base Set with updated mechanics, alongside new EX and BREAK cards built for that era's ruleset.
You can browse the official product gallery on Pokemon.com and the full XY Evolutions expansion page on tcg.pokemon.com for additional detail. DexHaul is independent and not affiliated with The Pokémon Company or its partners.
On this page 7 sections
What's in the XY Evolutions Elite Trainer Box
| Item | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| XY Evolutions booster packs | 8 | 10 cards per pack; XY12 set |
| Card sleeves | 65 | Mega Charizard EX design (Charizard version) or Mega Blastoise EX design (Blastoise version) |
| Basic Energy cards | 45 | Mix of types; standard TCG Energy |
| Damage-counter dice | 6 | Standard six-sided play dice |
| Condition marker | 1 | Status conditions token |
| Flip coin | 1 | Pokémon-themed |
| Player's guide | 1 | Set guide booklet |
| Deck box | 1 | Matches sleeve design on box |
| Promo card | 0 | No promo included (unique among XY-era ETBs) |
The absence of a promo card is the most notable structural difference between this ETB and nearly every other Elite Trainer Box released before or after it. XY Evolutions ETBs from the same era, such as the XY Base Set ETB, typically bundled a foil promotional card alongside the packs. Evolutions skipped it entirely.
The two sleeve versions are sold as separate products: one box ships with Mega Charizard EX artwork, the other with Mega Blastoise EX. Both contain identical everything else. Independent shops list both designs separately, and the Charizard version typically commands a small premium at resale.
MSRP and Observed Prices
| Metric | Amount | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Original retail price (2016) | $39.99 USD | Standard XY-era ETB price at launch, November 2, 2016 |
| Price per pack at original MSRP | ~$5.00 | 8 packs at $39.99 |
| Observed price range (October 2026) | $253.99–$1,105.00 USD | Independent shops via DexHaul; observed October 19, 2026 |
XY Evolutions went out of print in 2017. The market price today reflects collector demand for sealed vintage stock rather than play value. The low end of the current range sits around $253.99 at time of writing; the high end exceeds $1,100 for shop listings targeting premium buyers or graded candidates.
Prices vary significantly between the Charizard and Blastoise versions, between opened and sealed stock, and by the condition of the outer box. For any purchase, check the listing photos for box dents or factory seal integrity before committing.
How It Compares to Other Vintage ETBs
| Product | Set / Era | Release Date | Packs | Promo Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XY Evolutions ETB | XY12 (final XY) | November 2, 2016 | 8 | None |
| Hidden Fates ETB (2019) | SMA (GX era special) | August 23, 2019 | 10 | Shiny Gyarados GX foil |
| Celebrations ETB (2021) | 25th anniversary | October 8, 2021 | 10 Celebrations + 5 other | Greninja ☆ promo |
XY Evolutions is the only box of the three with no promo card. Hidden Fates and Celebrations both leaned heavily on their promos as headline attractions. Evolutions puts the entire draw on the nostalgia of the eight packs themselves, which is either its appeal or its limitation depending on why you're buying.
For a deeper look at how different Elite Trainer Boxes are structured, see the DexHaul Elite Trainer Box guide.
The Set in Brief: What You're Pulling
XY Evolutions was Pokémon's 20th-anniversary set. The cards reprint artwork from the 1999 Base Set and early WOTC expansions, updated with modern card mechanics. It celebrates the original 151 Pokémon through the art and layouts of the first edition, while adding EX and Mega Evolution cards that were new to the 2016 ruleset.
The key pulls collectors and players sought in 2016 were the EX and Mega EX cards for Charizard, Blastoise, and Venusaur, plus a handful of BREAK Evolution cards including Starmie BREAK and Ninetales BREAK. The set also contains reprinted holo versions of the original Base Set stalwarts. Card numbering and a complete set list are published on tcg.pokemon.com.
None of the cards from XY Evolutions are legal in Standard format today. The set is played in Unlimited format only, or kept sealed for collecting.
Release Timeline
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| November 2, 2016 | XY Evolutions set and ETB release (US) | Pokemon.com product gallery |
| 2017 (approx.) | XY Evolutions goes out of print; ETB production ends | Standard set lifecycle |
| October 19, 2026 | Current observed price range: $253.99–$1,105.00 USD (sealed, secondary market) | DexHaul search, today |
Who Should Buy It and Who Should Skip It
The XY Evolutions ETB is for collectors who want sealed vintage stock from Pokémon's 20th-anniversary year. The Base Set reprint art is the draw, and a sealed box is one of the few ways to own unopened packs of it at this point.
Skip it if you are buying for Standard-format play. None of the cards are legal in the current Standard or Expanded formats used at sanctioned events, so there is no competitive reason to open these packs in 2026. Also skip it if the box seal or corner condition cannot be verified in the listing photos; damaged outer boxes reduce resale value substantially for collector-grade purchases.
Q4 is a reasonable time to evaluate vintage sealed products as gifts for veteran Pokémon collectors. If you are shopping for someone else, check the Champion's Path ETB and the Celebrations ETB as alternatives at different price points. They both include promo cards and launched in a similar collector-nostalgia window.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many packs are in the XY Evolutions Elite Trainer Box?
The XY Evolutions ETB contains 8 booster packs. Each pack holds 10 cards from the XY Evolutions set.
Does the XY Evolutions ETB come with a promo card?
No. The XY Evolutions ETB does not include a promotional card. It is the only XY-era Elite Trainer Box released without one, which collectors note as a distinguishing fact about the product.
What is the difference between the Charizard and Blastoise versions?
The two versions differ only in the sleeve design and outer box art: one features Mega Charizard EX, the other Mega Blastoise EX. The booster pack contents, accessories, and energy card count are identical in both.
Are XY Evolutions cards legal in competitive play?
No. XY Evolutions cards are not legal in the current Standard or Expanded formats used at official Pokémon TCG tournaments. They are legal in Unlimited format, which uses no rotation cutoff.
When did XY Evolutions release?
XY Evolutions released on November 2, 2016, in the United States. It was the final main expansion of the XY era and the 20th-anniversary celebration set.
Browse sealed XY Evolutions Elite Trainer Boxes and other vintage Pokémon TCG products from independent shops at DexHaul's Elite Trainer Box collection.
Catch 'em all
More XY Evolutions ETBs and sealed vintage Pokémon TCG products from independent shops.