Darkness is coming. On July 17, 2026, the Pokémon TCG enters the abyss.
Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution — Pitch Black is the newest expansion and everything the name promises: dark-typed powerhouses, nightmare-fuelled etched artwork, and one of the most visually striking Mega Evolution ex Pokémon the series has ever produced. Mega Darkrai ex steps out of the shadows and into battle — and it brought friends. Six Mega Evolution ex Pokémon debut in this set, led by Mega Darkrai ex, alongside Mega Zeraora ex, Mega Chandelure ex, Mega Excadrill ex, Mega Delphox ex, and Mega Slowbro ex.
What Is Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution — Pitch Black?
Pitch Black (set code ME05) is the fifth expansion in the English Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution series, releasing worldwide on July 17, 2026. The set introduces Mega Evolution Pokémon featured in the Mega Dimension DLC for Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It is the first English Pokémon TCG expansion to include cards based on the game's Mega Dimension content. The set is based on the Japanese Abyss Eye expansion, which released in Japan on May 22, 2026.
Pitch Black includes:
- Over 115 cards in total
- Six Mega Evolution Pokémon ex — each with etched artwork exclusive to the Mega Evolution ex card treatment
- Four Pokémon ex — Lurantis ex, Wailord ex, Rampardos ex, and Morpeko ex
- 11 Illustration Rare Pokémon cards
- 18 Ultra Rare Pokémon and Trainer cards
- Six Special Illustration Rare Pokémon and Supporter cards
- One Hyper Rare — Mega Darkrai ex
- Over 35 cards with special illustrations of both Pokémon and Trainers
- More than 20 Trainer cards
The Pokémon You're Here For
Mega Darkrai ex — The Headliner
Mega Darkrai ex is the undisputed star of Pitch Black. Darkrai is officially known as the "Pitch-Black Pokémon" in Pokémon lore — the Mythical Darkness-type that haunts dreams and cloaks itself in shadow — and the set name is a direct reference to this epithet.
On the card: 280 HP and the Dusk Raid attack, which deals 110 damage plus 110 additional damage if you have Benched Pokémon with damage counters — a powerful spread-damage synergy for experienced players.
The Mega Darkrai ex Special Illustration Rare (116/084), illustrated by Akira Egawa, is the standout collector's chase card of the set. Per Bill's Archive, the artwork depicts Mega Darkrai as a cosmic, eldritch force — wreathed in shadow and crackling energy. The Mega Darkrai ex Hyper Rare (120/084) is the absolute rarest pull in Pitch Black — a jaw-dropping gold card at the very end of the set, confirmed by the official Pokémon product showcase.
Mega Zeraora ex
Zeraora strikes back with electrifying power — the official Pokémon press release's own words. The Electric-type Mythical gets a Mega Evolution treatment that matches its lightning aesthetic, and the Mega Zeraora ex SIR (114/084) is the second most anticipated pull in the set.
Mega Chandelure ex
A Psychic-type Mega Evolution ex in the TCG (card 038/084 base set, SIR at 115/084). Chandelure's dark, atmospheric design translates powerfully into the Mega Evolution format and its SIR artwork is one of the visual standouts of Pitch Black.
Mega Excadrill ex
A Metal-type Mega Evolution ex (card 065/084). Per the official Pokémon.com card reveal, Mega Excadrill ex has two attacks: Undermine (90 damage, discards the top two cards of your opponent's deck) and Maximum Drilling (200 damage, or 330 damage with two extra Energy attached) — making it a genuinely destructive force with consistent Energy support.
Mega Delphox ex & Mega Slowbro ex
Two additional Mega Evolution ex debut in the English set — both added from Japanese Gym promo sets, making them exclusive to the English Pitch Black release and not present in the original Japanese Abyss Eye. Mega Delphox ex (008/084) is a Fire-type Stage 2 with 350 HP. Mega Slowbro ex (031/084) is a Psychic-type Stage 1 with 330 HP.
Gwynn SIR — The Surprise Chase Card
Gwynn (SIR 119/084) is a Supporter card emerging as one of the top secondary chase cards alongside Mega Darkrai ex. Per Bill's Archive, if Gwynn becomes a key engine in Mega Evolution decks — working alongside Misty's Vitality — demand from both players and collectors will be significant.
Chi-Yu — The Type Shift
The popular Ruinous Pokémon Chi-Yu (059/084) appears as a Darkness-type in Pitch Black — a departure from its usual Fire-type video game classification. This creates new strategic utility in Dark-type decks.
Etched Artwork — What Makes This Set Visually Unique
The official Pokémon product showcase highlights one specific detail about Pitch Black's presentation: Mega Evolution Pokémon ex cards feature etched artwork. This means the Mega Evolution ex cards — Mega Darkrai ex, Mega Zeraora ex, Mega Chandelure ex, Mega Excadrill ex, Mega Delphox ex, and Mega Slowbro ex — all have a special physical texture treatment on their illustrations that makes them tactilely as well as visually distinctive. This is a premium treatment not shared by all Pokémon ex cards in the Mega Evolution era and adds to the collector appeal of these specific cards.
New Trainer Cards Worth Knowing
Beyond the headline Pokémon, Pitch Black introduces several notable Trainer cards confirmed by the full set list:
Gladion's Final Battle (077/084, SIR at 118/084) — already being tested in Festival Lead competitive builds.
Misty's Vitality (080/084, UR at 111/084) — a Misty Supporter card with potential to become a key engine alongside Gwynn. Gen 1 Trainer cards consistently hold strong collector and player value.
Dark Bell (075/084, UR at 106/084) — a new Item card being explored in Mega Darkrai ex and Mega Dragalgae ex Dark-type builds.
Fossil Quarry (076/084) — a Stadium card that lets you search your deck for up to two "Antique" Item cards directly, making Fossil Pokémon like Bastiodon and Rampardos ex more consistently accessible.
Shadowy Energy (083/084) — a new Special Energy supporting Darkness-type strategies.
How Many Cards in Pitch Black?
Per the official Pokémon Company International announcement, Pitch Black includes over 115 cards. The confirmed English card list runs from card 001/084 to 120/084, with the base set at 84 cards and 36 secret rares above that number.
For collectors working toward a complete master set: a full Pitch Black collection includes the main set and secret rare cards plus reverse holofoil variants (one for each Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Double Rare — secret rares do not have reverse holo versions).
Every Pitch Black Product at Playpeak
Pokémon TCG: Pitch Black — Booster Display Box (36 Packs)
Booster Display Box contains 36 booster packs, the maximum available in a single Pitch Black product. Each pack contains 10 cards and one Basic Energy — 360 cards total across the box. The collector's choice for going deep into the set.
Pokémon TCG: Pitch Black — Elite Trainer Box
Pitch Black Elite Trainer Box contains: 9 Pitch Black booster packs, 1 full-art promo card featuring Zarude — an Illustration Rare-style artwork cut from the main set list to serve as this exclusive ETB promo, 65 card sleeves, 40 Pokémon TCG Energy cards, Damage counter dice, 1 coin-flip die, 1 plastic coin, 1 Pokémon TCG Live code card, A sturdy box to store everything.
The Zarude promo features atmospheric jungle artwork befitting the dark theme of the set.
Pokémon TCG: Pitch Black — Booster Bundle (6 Packs)
Booster Bundle contains six Pitch Black booster packs. The clean mid-tier option — more packs than a single blister, less commitment than an ETB or Display Box. Each pack contains 10 cards and one Basic Energy.
Pokémon TCG: Pitch Black — Premium Checklane Blister — Gengar
One Pitch Black booster pack alongside an exclusive foil Gengar promo card and a coin — part of the Black Star Mega Evolution promo series, making the Gengar card a collectible piece beyond just the booster inside.
Pitch Black on Pokémon TCG Live
Pitch Black arrives on Pokémon TCG Live on July 16, 2026 — one day before the physical release — across iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows, with in-game login bonuses for players at launch. Every physical product includes a Pokémon TCG Live code card for your digital collection.
Quick Buying Guide
Serious collector / opening in bulk: Booster Display Box (36 packs) — 36 packs, maximum pulls, best pack-per-unit value.
Player and collector who wants accessories too: Elite Trainer Box — 9 packs, exclusive Zarude promo, sleeves, Energy, dice, coin — everything in one box.
Casual collector / budget option: Booster Bundle (6 packs) — six packs, clean and straightforward.
Single pack experience with a promo: Premium Checklane Blister — Gengar — 1 pack plus exclusive Gengar Black Star promo.
Shop Pitch Black at Playpeak
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