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Published: 12/08/2026
Pokemon TCG Pitch Black — officially Mega Evolution—Pitch Black — is the fifth main expansion in the Mega Evolution series, released worldwide on July 17, 2026. Based on the Mega Dimension content from Pokémon Legends: Z-A, this set leans into a darker theme centered on Mega Darkrai ex. Here are 5 things worth knowing before you buy in.
Quick Overview
- Headlined by Mega Darkrai ex, the set’s lone Hyper Rare
- Four featured Mega Evolution Pokémon ex in total
- Around 120 cards in the full English release
- Released July 17, 2026, worldwide
- Based on Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s Mega Dimension content
1. What’s in the Pokemon TCG Pitch Black Set
The excitement around Pokemon TCG Pitch Black comes down to one thing: a genuinely strong lineup of Mega Evolution Pokémon, led by a chase card collectors have been talking about since it was first announced.
Pitch Black is built around four Mega Evolution Pokémon ex:
- Mega Darkrai ex — the set’s central chase card, featured as the lone Hyper Rare
- Mega Zeraora ex — an electric-type counterpart bringing speed and offense
- Mega Chandelure ex — adding fire-type pressure to the lineup
- Mega Excadrill ex — rounding out the set’s ground-type presence
The full English release totals around 120 cards, including the base set plus secret rares — illustration rares, special illustration rares, and the single Hyper Rare Mega Darkrai ex at the top of the set. A complete master set, including reverse holo variants, runs to roughly 204 cards.
2. Release Timeline
- July 4, 2026 — Official prerelease events began at participating independent retailers
- July 16, 2026 — Pitch Black became playable in Pokémon TCG Live
- July 17, 2026 — Worldwide physical release
3. What’s in an Elite Trainer Box
A standard Pitch Black Elite Trainer Box includes nine booster packs, a full-art promo card featuring Zarude, 65 card sleeves, 40 energy cards, damage-counter dice, a coin-flip die, and a player’s guide. Pokémon Center exclusive versions include two extra booster packs and an additional promo variant.
4. Should You Buy Into This Set?
For collectors: the concentration of special illustration rares and the single Hyper Rare chase card make this a strong pull-focused set, though as always, high-value pulls are never guaranteed on any individual pack.
For players: the four featured Mega Evolution ex Pokémon bring genuinely new deck-building options rather than just reskins of existing strategies, which is worth considering if you play competitively.
For newer collectors: this might not be the cheapest entry point given the hype around Mega Darkrai ex, but the Build & Battle Box is a solid lower-cost way to try the set without committing to a full booster box.
5. A Note on Value and Hype
New expansions almost always see inflated secondary-market prices in the weeks right after release, especially around a headline chase card like Mega Darkrai ex. If you’re buying to open and enjoy rather than to flip, there’s rarely a downside to waiting a few weeks for prices to settle. For official card details and rarity breakdowns, see the Pokemon TCG official site (external reference, not affiliated with this recommendation).
Protect Whatever You Pull
Once you open a pack, get your best pulls into proper protection right away. See our guide to the best Pokemon TCG sleeves and deck boxes for picks that won’t break the bank.
Final Thoughts
Pokemon TCG Pitch Black continues the Mega Evolution series’ momentum with a strong, cohesive theme and a genuinely exciting chase card in Mega Darkrai ex. Whether you’re pulling for the Hyper Rare or building a new competitive deck, this is one of the more talked-about releases of 2026 — and one worth watching if you’re active in the Pokemon TCG Pitch Black market.