Release Date: July 17, 2026 | Mega Evolution Series Expansion (ME05)
Darkness is coming — and Mega Darkrai ex is bringing it on July 17, 2026.
Pitch Black is the fifth expansion in the Mega Evolution Series (set code ME05) and the darkest yet, thematically and aesthetically. Based on Japan's Abyss Eye expansion, this 119-card set features six Mega Evolution Pokemon ex led by Mega Darkrai ex, alongside Mega Zeraora ex, Mega Chandelure ex, and Mega Excadrill ex, all confirmed officially by The Pokemon Company.
The set's narrative frames Mega Darkrai arriving "with mystery and malice" as twinkling city lights and a starry sky are swallowed by shadow. Where Chaos Rising was about open conflict in the streets, Pitch Black is something more unsettling: a darkness that blankets everything and everything caught beneath it. The artwork across every confirmed card reflects that tone, and collectors are already targeting the Mega Darkrai ex Special Illustration Rare as the anchor chase card of the summer.
With prerelease events running July 4-12, 2026 and more cards still being revealed, here's everything confirmed so far — verified against official sources and the Abyss Eye set data from Japan.
The Pokemon Company has confirmed six Mega Evolution Pokemon ex in Pitch Black, with four officially named. Here's what collectors are already targeting:
Darkrai doesn't just bring darkness — its Mega form commands it. Mega Darkrai ex is the cover star and the card this entire set is built around. Dark-type Mythicals have outperformed the broader market in basically every print era they've appeared, and Mega Darkrai is no different. Early artwork previews from the Abyss Eye set suggest it's one of the most visually striking cards in the whole Mega Evolution Series. If any single card from Pitch Black is holding long-term collector value 12 months from now, it's the Mega Darkrai SIR — collectors are already lining it up as the anchor chase card of the summer, and it's likely to sell through quickly at launch and command a strong secondary-market premium. (We'll post real sold-price data here once the set is out and cards start changing hands.)
Mega Zeraora ex is the set's second headline card. Zeraora has built a serious following since its debut as an event-exclusive Mythical — the kind of Pokemon where collectors specifically seek out every card variant. As an Electric-type, Mega Zeraora ex is built for speed and aggression, which tends to make it a competitive playable too. The SIR should carry a Mythical premium close to Darkrai, making it the second most valuable pull in the set.
Mega Chandelure ex is the quiet standout collectors are sleeping on. Ghost/Fire is a rare and genuinely gorgeous type combination, and Chandelure has one of the most dedicated fan bases of any non-legendary Pokemon — the kind that drives SIR prices higher than the raw stats would suggest. The booster pack variant featuring Chandelure art signals TPC sees it as a set highlight. If the artwork is as good as the Abyss Eye previews hint, this card surprises people.
Mega Excadrill ex anchors the Ground/Steel archetype for the set. It sits at card number 065/084 and is the most competitively approachable of the four named Megas — tanky HP, useful dual typing, and the kind of utility that shows up in budget decks. The SIR is probably the most accessible of the named Megas from a price standpoint, which makes it a solid target for collectors who want the full Pitch Black Mega ex SIR set without spending four figures.
Six Mega Evolution Pokemon ex are confirmed in Pitch Black, but only four have been officially named by TPC as of May 2026. The remaining two are expected to be revealed in the weeks leading up to prerelease. Based on the Abyss Eye card list from Japan, we'll update this guide the moment they're announced.
Pitch Black includes four standard Pokemon ex alongside the six Mega headliners. Their identities haven't been confirmed in official English reveals yet. We'll update this section as cards are spoiled closer to the July 4 prerelease.
Here's what you're working with in Pitch Black (119 cards total):
| Card Type | Count |
|---|---|
| Mega Evolution Pokemon ex | 6 (4 confirmed: Darkrai, Zeraora, Chandelure, Excadrill) |
| Regular Pokemon ex | 4 |
| Illustration Rare Pokemon | 11 |
| Ultra Rare Pokemon & Trainers | 18 |
| Special Illustration Rare | 6 |
| Trainer Cards | 20+ |
Note: Pitch Black adapts Japan's Abyss Eye expansion. Counts are based on official Pokemon Company announcements as of May 2026. The complete English card list will be finalized closer to the July 17 release.
Based on patterns from Chaos Rising, Perfect Order, and the Abyss Eye data from Japan, here are the estimated pull rates for Pitch Black:
| 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) |
| Mega Hyper Rare | TBD — not yet confirmed for this set | TBD |
Pitch Black has a slightly smaller card count (119) than Chaos Rising (122), which means the same six SIR slots spread across fewer total cards. That doesn't necessarily translate to better SIR odds per pack, but it does mean a tighter ratio of chase cards relative to filler pulls. On a per-box basis, budget roughly $800-900 to realistically expect one SIR — similar to prior ME sets.
Note: These are estimates based on comparable Mega Evolution sets. Pokemon Company doesn't publish official pull rates, so actual results will vary.
Mega Evolution Pokemon ex evolve from basic Pokemon ex and represent the peak of competitive power in the Mega Evolution Series. They hit harder, tank more damage, and create the board-flipping moments that define games.
Mega Darkrai ex is built for the three-Prize bet. A Dark-type with high HP and presumably aggressive energy costs means if you get one clean knockout with it, you're controlling the pace of the match. The counterplay is always whether your opponent can answer it before it does the same to them.
Here's what's available starting July 17, 2026:
Prerelease events run July 4-12, 2026 at participating Play! Pokemon Retailers. Several dates fall on the July 4th holiday weekend in the US, so check with your local game store early — capacity tends to fill up fast, and some stores may adjust their schedule around the holiday.
Your Build & Battle Box at the prerelease includes:
If you're chasing Mega Darkrai ex, the prerelease is your first legitimate shot at the set. Find events near you at the Pokemon Event Locator.
Pull a Mega Darkrai ex SIR? Before you commit to grading fees, know what you're actually working with.
PSA and CGC grade on four criteria: centering, corners, edges, and surface. Across prior Mega Evolution sets, the most common issues have been:
For Mega Darkrai ex SIR specifically: if the card looks clean, yes. A PSA 10 Mega Greninja SIR from Chaos Rising is already pulling a 2-4x multiplier over raw. Darkrai has at least that much demand potential, probably more. Our full grading guide walks you through when submission makes financial sense versus selling raw.
Scan your card with CardGrader.AI first. Get an instant condition report — we flag centering issues, surface flaws, and corner problems that are easy to miss without magnification. Know what you're submitting before you pay the fees.
Check your card's condition before committing to grading fees. Instant results, no waiting.
Scan Your Card Now →Based on how Chaos Rising and prior Mega Evolution sets have performed, here's our best estimate for Pitch Black values at and shortly after launch:
| Card | Rarity | Expected Range |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Darkrai ex (SIR) | Special Illustration Rare | $180 - $350+ |
| Mega Zeraora ex (SIR) | Special Illustration Rare | $100 - $200 |
| Mega Chandelure ex (SIR) | Special Illustration Rare | $70 - $140 |
| Mega Excadrill ex (SIR) | Special Illustration Rare | $50 - $100 |
| Regular Mega ex | Double Rare | $10 - $25 |
| Illustration Rares | Illustration Rare | $5 - $20 |
| Zarude ETB Promo | Promo | $15 - $30 |
The Darkrai premium is real: Darkrai is one of the most consistently valuable Pokemon across every card era. The SIR could outperform these projections if the artwork lands as hard as early previews suggest. Compare how Mega Gengar SIRs from Phantasmal Flames have held versus other ME01 cards — that's the ceiling Darkrai is competing with, and Darkrai has more mainstream name recognition than Gengar in the collector community.
All estimates are based on comparable Mega Evolution set performance. Actual values depend on print run size, pull rates, and market demand. Expect the most volatility in the first two to four weeks after release.
Pitch Black releases on July 17, 2026 worldwide. Prerelease events run July 4-12, 2026 at Play! Pokemon Retailers.
Approximately 119 cards total — 84 regularly-numbered cards (including 20+ Trainers) plus over 35 special illustration cards. The official Pokemon Company statement is "over 115 cards."
Four Mega Evolution Pokemon ex are officially confirmed: Mega Darkrai ex (#048/084), Mega Zeraora ex, Mega Chandelure ex, and Mega Excadrill ex (#065/084). Two additional Mega Evolution Pokemon ex have been confirmed by TPC but not yet named. The Mega Darkrai ex Special Illustration Rare is expected to be the most valuable card in the set.
Pitch Black's set code is ME05, indicating it's the fifth expansion in the Mega Evolution Series.
Yes — Pitch Black adapts Japan's Abyss Eye expansion. The English version is expected to follow the same pattern as prior ME sets: largely a 1:1 port with standard English additions.
The standard Pitch Black ETB includes 9 booster packs, a full-art Zarude promo card, 65 Mega Darkrai-themed card sleeves, 40 Energy cards, 6 damage-counter dice, a player's guide, a coin-flip die, a Mega Darkrai coin, and a collector's box. The Pokemon Center exclusive ETB includes 11 packs and an exclusive stamped promo.
When a Mega Evolution Pokemon ex is knocked out, your opponent takes three Prize cards, compared to two for standard Pokemon ex. That's the core risk-reward of the mechanic.
When you pull that Mega Darkrai ex SIR, know its condition before sending it off to PSA or CGC. CardGrader.AI gives you an instant, accurate condition report — so you know what you're working with before you commit to grading fees.