Pokémon Pitch Black is bringing a whole new wave of chase cards when Mega Evolution—Pitch Black (ME05) drops on July 17, 2026. The set leans into a dark, nightmare-fueled aesthetic led by Mega Darkrai ex and its electric rival Mega Zeraora ex.
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Even though the base set wraps up at 84 cards, secret rares push the real total past 115 unique pulls. Here are the 12 cards collectors and players are hunting hardest.
12. Slowbro 090/084
This Illustration Rare turned Slowbro into a competitive sleeper hit almost overnight. Its “All Out” attack drops a huge 210 damage for just one Psychic Energy when your hand is empty. The full-art storybook style makes it stand out way more than the standard print.
11. Goldeen 087/084
Goldeen gets a rare glow-up thanks to this underwater illustration. It captures the deep-sea vibe of the set perfectly, giving a Gen 1 classic a real spotlight moment. Collectors love it for how unexpected the upgrade feels.
10. Armarouge 086/084
This watercolor-like take on Armarouge is a fan favorite. It fits right into the “Flame Legion” archetype that scales damage off benched Fire Pokémon. The art style alone makes it worth grabbing for binders.
9. Primarina 088/084
Primarina shines in a moody, dimly lit aquatic performance scene that feels straight out of a storybook. The Alolan starter finally gets the spotlight treatment it deserves. It is quickly becoming a must-have for collectors chasing full sets.
8. Misty’s Vitality 111/084
Any Kanto gym leader full-art instantly grabs collector attention. Misty brings a fresh Supporter effect that fits right into the current competitive meta. Her comeback card is already turning heads early in the set’s release.
7. Mega Zeraora ex 114/084
Zeraora stands as one of the key pillars of the whole Pitch Black lineup. This Ultra Rare shows it crackling with electric energy, cutting straight through the set’s dark theme. It is a must-pull for anyone building around the set’s signature Pokémon.
6. Morpeko ex 117/084
Don’t underestimate this little guy, Morpeko ex plays a massive part in the set’s hand-dumping strategies. The Full-Art treatment gives it a serious collector boost. It is proving to be one of the sleeper favorites of the set.
5. Gladion’s Final Battle 118/084
This Special Illustration Rare Supporter hits hard for fans of the Sun & Moon era. The art captures Gladion mid-battle in a dramatic, high-stakes moment. On top of the emotional pull, it works as a powerful endgame Supporter engine.
4. Gwynn 119/084
Tied to the lore of Pokémon Legends Z-A, Gwynn is shaping up to be one of the top human chase cards of 2026. Full-art female Supporters usually carry a big premium, and this one is no exception. The detailed background art makes it a real centerpiece for any collection.
3. Mega Chandelure ex 115/084
Mega Chandelure ex brings serious gothic mansion energy to this set. Its “Binding Flame” ability jacks up the opponent’s retreat costs, feeding right into its scaling “Phantom Maze” attack. The eerie ghost and fire combo makes the artwork just as striking as the mechanics.
2. Mega Darkrai ex 116/084
Illustrated by Akira Egawa, this card is widely seen as the artistic peak of the entire set. It shows Darkrai unleashed in a terrifying nightmare landscape. Many collectors consider this the true visual masterpiece of Pitch Black.
1. Mega Darkrai ex 120/084
This is the crown jewel of the whole set, the Gold-Etched Mega Hyper Rare version of Darkrai. Sitting at the very top of the secret rare list, it is incredibly hard to pull. If this one lands in your pack, you basically hit the jackpot.
These Special Illustration Rares stand out as true masterpieces, blending haunting storytelling with jaw-dropping artwork. Cards like Mega Darkrai ex and Mega Chandelure ex nail the set’s eerie, gothic feel, turning nightmare themes into gorgeous hand-drawn trophies. With this mix of stunning visuals and strong competitive mechanics, Pitch Black delivers some of the most exciting chase cards to come out in a long time.
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