Released November 14, 2025 | Mega Evolution Series Expansion (ME01)
The Mega Evolution era has arrived — and Charizard is leading the charge at nearly $3,000 graded.
Phantasmal Flames launched on November 14, 2025 as the first numbered expansion in the Mega Evolution Series, and it absolutely shattered expectations. This 127-card set introduced six Mega Evolution Pokemon ex to the TCG, headlined by the most valuable Charizard card in years — Mega Charizard X ex.
Tied to the Pokemon Legends: Z-A storyline, Phantasmal Flames brings a ghostly, spectral aesthetic to the Mega Evolution mechanic. The set combines fan-favorite Pokemon with stunning new artwork and a rarity tier system that has collectors hunting through boxes for those elusive Special Illustration Rares and Gold Hyper Rares.
Now that the set has been out for several months, we have real market data on what these cards are actually worth. Let's break down everything you need to know — from chase cards to current prices.
Phantasmal Flames introduced six Mega Evolution Pokemon ex cards, plus a deep roster of regular ex, illustration rares, and special illustration rares. Here are the cards everyone's chasing:
Mega Charizard X ex dominates this set with four different printings: the base version (#013), the ultra rare (#109 at ~$37 raw), and the two premium variants that are absolutely commanding the market. The Special Illustration Rare #125 sits at approximately $730 raw, while the #130 variant fetches $366-$433 raw. Graded copies of both have sold for up to $2,945. This is the Charizard card of the Mega Evolution era — no question.
Mega Gengar ex brings ghostly power to the set's spectral theme. While the base card sits at a modest ~$3 raw, the artwork and competitive potential make it a fan favorite. Gengar's popularity means illustration rare and alternate versions hold long-term collector appeal.
Mega Heracross ex surprised many by being a strong competitive presence. The base #4 version is budget-friendly, while the ultra rare #108 carries a premium for collectors who appreciate this underrated Mega Evolution.
Mega Sharpedo ex comes in three variants. The base #61 is just ~$1.50 raw, the ultra rare #113 commands more, and the Special Illustration Rare #127 sits at ~$30 raw. The SIR artwork is widely considered one of the best in the set.
Mega Lopunny ex in its Special Illustration Rare form runs about ~$25 raw. An unexpected fan favorite with artwork that showcases Lopunny's graceful yet powerful Mega Evolution.
Empoleon ex rounds out the featured ex cards with its Water-type power. Available in base and ultra rare versions, Empoleon brings competitive utility and Sinnoh nostalgia to the set.
Here's what you're working with in Phantasmal Flames (127 cards total):
| Card Type | Count |
|---|---|
| Mega Evolution Pokemon ex | 6 |
| Regular Pokemon ex | 4 |
| Illustration Rare Pokemon | 13 |
| Ultra Rare Cards | 17 |
| Special Illustration Rare | 5 |
| Gold Hyper Rare | Rarest in booster packs |
Note: Phantasmal Flames is the first numbered Mega Evolution expansion (ME01), setting the foundation for the entire series tied to Pokemon Legends: Z-A.
After months of community data from Phantasmal Flames openings, here are the established pull rates:
| Rarity | Estimated Odds | Per Booster Box (36 packs) |
|---|---|---|
| Illustration Rare | ~1 in 6 packs | ~6 per box |
| Pokemon ex / Ultra Rare | ~1 in 8 packs | ~4-5 per box |
| Special Illustration Rare | ~1 in 30-40 packs | ~1 per box (not guaranteed) |
| Gold Hyper Rare | ~1 in 200+ packs | ~1 per 6 boxes |
Reality check: With the Mega Charizard X ex SIR (#125) sitting at $730, you'd need incredible luck to pull one from packs. At current booster box prices, you're statistically looking at $800-900+ in packs to hit a single SIR — and there's no guarantee it'll be the Charizard. For specific chase cards, the secondary market is almost always more cost-effective.
Note: Pull rates are community-estimated. Official rates aren't published by The Pokemon Company.
Phantasmal Flames has been out since November 2025 — these are real market prices, not predictions:
| Card | Card # | Raw Price | Graded (PSA 10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Charizard X ex (SIR) | #125 | ~$730 | Up to $2,945 |
| Mega Charizard X ex | #130 | ~$366-$433 | Up to $2,945 |
| Mega Charizard X ex (UR) | #109 | ~$37 | — |
| Dawn (Supporter SIR) | #129 | ~$31 | — |
| Mega Sharpedo ex (SIR) | #127 | ~$30 | — |
| Mega Lopunny ex (SIR) | #115 | ~$25 | — |
| Rotom ex (SIR) | #126 | ~$22 | — |
| Meowth (Illustration Rare) | — | ~$13.55 | — |
| Mega Gengar ex | #56 | ~$3 | — |
| Mega Sharpedo ex (base) | #61 | ~$1.50 | — |
The Charizard effect: Mega Charizard X ex absolutely dominates the set's value. The SIR #125 at $730 and #130 at $366-$433 account for the vast majority of the set's premium value. Everything else is relatively affordable — making Phantasmal Flames a great set if you're NOT chasing the top Charizard cards.
Prices sourced from TCGPlayer and eBay sold listings as of March 2026. Values fluctuate — check current listings for up-to-date pricing.
Check your card's condition before sending it to PSA or CGC. A $730 Charizard in PSA 10 is worth $2,945 — condition matters.
Check Your Card's Value & Condition →Phantasmal Flames introduced several cards that have made a significant impact on the competitive metagame:
Oricorio ex quickly became the most important competitive card in the set. Its ability to accelerate Fire energy makes it a staple in virtually every Fire-type deck. If you're building competitively, this is the card to grab first.
Moltres earned widespread praise from competitive players for its versatility and power level. It slots into multiple archetypes and has become a meta-defining presence.
Toxtricity does for Darkness decks what Oricorio does for Fire — providing crucial energy acceleration that enables faster, more aggressive strategies.
The three-prize risk means Mega ex cards are high-stakes plays. Get the KO and you dominate; get KO'd and you might hand your opponent the match.
Here's what's available for Phantasmal Flames:
Since Phantasmal Flames is already out, here's the smart approach:
Phantasmal Flames released on November 14, 2025 worldwide. Pre-release events ran in late October through early November 2025.
Phantasmal Flames contains 127 cards, including 6 Mega Evolution Pokemon ex, 4 regular Pokemon ex, 13 illustration rares, 17 ultra rares, 5 special illustration rares, and Gold Hyper Rares.
The Mega Charizard X ex Special Illustration Rare (#125) is the clear winner at ~$730 raw and up to $2,945 graded. The #130 variant follows at $366-$433 raw. Dawn SIR (#129) at ~$31 and Mega Sharpedo ex SIR (#127) at ~$30 are the next tier.
Phantasmal Flames' set code is ME01, making it the first numbered expansion in the Mega Evolution Series tied to Pokemon Legends: Z-A.
It depends on the version: the SIR #125 is ~$730 raw (up to $2,945 graded), the #130 is ~$366-$433 raw, and the #109 ultra rare is ~$37. The base #013 is the most affordable version.
The Phantasmal Flames ETB includes 9 booster packs, a full-art Charcadet promo card, 65 card sleeves, and 40 Energy cards.
Yes — as the first set in the Mega Evolution Series, Phantasmal Flames has strong long-term collector value. The Mega Charizard X ex alone makes sealed product attractive for long-term holds. For opening, the set has great artwork across all rarities and solid competitive cards.
With Mega Charizard X ex graded copies selling for nearly $3,000, knowing your card's condition before submitting to PSA or CGC is critical. CardGrader.AI gives you instant, accurate condition reports — so you know exactly what you're working with.