Pokemon BREAK are a dynamic variant of regular pokemon cards from the franchise's TCG which enable a trainer to play another stage on top of basic, stage 1, or even stage 2 pocket monsters for often more hp and always a powerful new move or ability. In this manner, they act a bit like the Mega Evolution mechanic from the Pokemon games, though the new forms are more like a golden coat for an impressively lustrous appearance.
These art-heavy cards are played horizontally over the previous stage and do not change the other stats besides the max HP. They are also treated as an evolution card, meaning that card effects targetting such allies apply to pokemon BREAK cards. Out of the few dozen that exist from various sets and expansions, the best are the ones that can dish out the most damage as well as possessing useful secondary effects and granting a generous amount of maximum HP.
10 Machamp BREAK
This burly evolution for a regular Machamp comes with a devastating one-two combo that unleashes a moderate 100 damage on the first turn, however, on the next, this Fighting-type pokemon can smash the foe with 200 points of damage. The energy cost is relatively low, and with a chance to take a total of 300 HP away from any given enemy, this powerhouse card is a dangerous one for any adversary.
9 Nidoking BREAK
In addition to a moderate 3-energy-cost attack that deals 120 damage, Nidoking BREAK inflicts a status condition to make the foe poisoned. However, this is no ordinary toxin, as it will deal 20 damage per turn instead of 10. With great damage, a debilitating secondary effect, and a nice boost to max HP, this horned pocket monster can wreck multiple adversaries back-to-back with ease.
8 Pyroar BREAK
Typical for Fire-type pokemon, Pyroar BREAK has a reckless move that can deal great damage to foes and themselves. 180 is a number most do not want to be subtracted from their HP, as this can knock out many adversaries in a single turn. This majestic beast will do 50 points of damage to themselves each time they use it, however, easily snagging at least a couple of prize cards is worth the recoil.
7 Luxray BREAK
Able to deal out a minimum of 130 damage every turn makes Luxray BREAK a heavy hitter in every situation where it possesses enough energy to attack.
The secondary effect has no downside or additional cost, meaning that the only thing required to get incremental bonuses of 40 damage is a bit of luck on the coinflips.
6 Beheeyem BREAK
Despite not doing as much damage as some other BREAK cards, this golden Beheeyem form grants a handy move for juggling Psychic-type energy around with allies. Depending on what base Beheeyem card one is using, Cosmic Circle can be a great way to power up more energy-expensive attacks. Furthermore, if their trainer knows that their Beheeyem BREAK is about to get knocked out, they can send all the energy attached to them to benched pokemon to prepare for upcoming tactics while also slamming the foe with 100 damage.
5 Raichu BREAK
By taking a look at the relatively low HP and significant damage on this card, it is clear that Raichu BREAK is meant to be a grand finale-pokemon. Their Grand Bolt move will force them to discard all of their energy but also unleash 170 points of damage to annihilate a foe's HP. The somewhat low energy cost for this attack means that it can be played in a pinch, if necessary.
4 Greninja BREAK
Usually, the BREAK cards that come with abilities instead of moves are rather lackluster compared to the huge damage many of these golden-formed pocket monsters can unleash.
However, Greninja BREAK slices this mold asunder by possessing a great ability that lets them deal 60 damage to the opposing pokemon by discarding a Water energy from their trainer's hand. This, in combination with an attack, lets this aquatic pokemon pile on the damage for severe impact on every turn.
3 Chesnaught BREAK
Capable of slamming the enemy active pokemon with 160 damage, while simultaneously doing 30 damage to one of their benched allies, makes playing Chesnaught BREAK like swinging a wrecking ball. This mighty Grass-type pokemon receives 30 points of recoil damage every time they use Tough Hammer, however, with a substantial max HP of 190, they can take the hits.
2 Raticate BREAK
Raticates usually get wrecked pretty hard in the video games, despite having access to the giant-felling move known as Super Fang, which usually takes out half of an enemy's HP, regardless of their defenses. In the TCG world, however, Raticate BREAK proves that the stereotype of their kin is wrong. Their version of Super Fang takes out the majority of any adversary's HP with a simple, 2-Colorless energy attack. It cannot completely take down a foe by itself, though, the base Raticate card that this BREAK one is on top of should be able to dish out the last 10 damage easily enough for a nearly guaranteed way to take out any of the foe's mightiest pokemon in 2 turns.
1 Zoroark BREAK
With only a single Darkness energy required to use Zoroark BREAK's Foul Play, their trainer can copy any attack of any opposing active pokemon to use their own strengths against them at likely a fraction of the cost. If timed correctly, Zoroark BREAK's trainer can send them out against a foe and defeat them with their own moves before they can use them.