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Pokemon Pitch Black Launches July 17: Every Chase Card Worth Pulling, Ranked
Mega Evolution: Pitch Black, the fifth set of the Mega Evolution era, launches worldwide on July 17, 2026, and Mega Darkrai ex is the card everyone will be hunting. Japanese copies of the top Darkrai chases are already trading around $400 to $600 before the English set even releases. Here is every chase card worth pulling, ranked, and what to expect from prices in launch week.
What Is Pokemon Pitch Black?
Pitch Black is the darkest-themed expansion of the Mega Evolution era, built around Mega Darkrai ex and the Pokemon fighting back against it, led by Mega Zeraora ex with Mega Chandelure ex and Mega Excadrill ex alongside. The set is based on Japan's Abyss Eye expansion and ties into Pokemon Legends Z-A: Mega Dimension.
The numbers that matter for collectors:
- Over 115 cards in the base set, running to 120 with the secret-rare chases.
- More than 35 cards with special illustrations, the deepest special-art run of the era so far.
- Launch products include booster packs, an Elite Trainer Box with a full-art Zarude promo, and Build and Battle Boxes, with a Mega Greninja ex Premium Collection releasing the same month.
If you want the full rarity ladder these chases sit on, our Pokemon card rarity symbols guide breaks down every tier.
The Pitch Black Chase Cards
These are the pulls that matter, ranked by early market signals. Card numbers are from the English set list, spot-check your pull's number and rarity before pricing it.
- Mega Darkrai ex, Mega Hyper Rare (#120). The top pull of the set, the gold-tier Darkrai and the card driving the early money.
- Mega Darkrai ex, Special Illustration Rare (#116). The alternate-art Darkrai, the set's signature artwork and the second-biggest chase.
- Mega Zeraora ex, Special Illustration Rare (#114). The hero of the set's storyline and the strongest non-Darkrai pull.
- Mega Chandelure ex, Special Illustration Rare (#115). A fan-favorite ghost with strong early interest.
- Morpeko ex, Special Illustration Rare (#117). The surprise entry, small Pokemon with big-art SIRs have outperformed all era long.
- Gladion's Final Battle, Special Illustration Rare (#118) and Gwynn, Special Illustration Rare (#119). The Trainer chases, the era keeps producing valuable Trainer SIRs.
In total, 36 of the 120 cards qualify as chase-tier rarities, so packs are livelier than the headline chases alone suggest. For how these stack up against the rest of the era, from the $1,100 Mega Gengar down, see our Mega Evolution chase cards guide.
Early Prices From Japan
The English set is not out yet, but Japan's Abyss Eye has been live long enough to show what demand looks like:
- Mega Darkrai Mega Hyper Rare: around $600.
- Mega Darkrai ex Special Illustration Rare: around $400.
Treat these as a preview of demand, not a prediction of English prices. Japanese prices typically cool once the English version releases in volume, and English launch-week prices for this era's earlier sets have opened high and settled within weeks. The pattern to remember: the first weekend is the most expensive time to buy singles and the best time to sell them.
What It Means for Collectors
- Opening packs launch weekend is when the chase hunt is hottest, and it is the cheapest route to the top cards if luck cooperates. Ripping on launch is the fun play, buying singles on launch day is the expensive one.
- Selling a big pull early has historically been the strongest move of this era, launch-week highs on earlier Mega Evolution chases cooled noticeably within a month.
- Buying the singles you want is usually cheapest 3 to 6 weeks after launch, once supply catches up.
- Price your pulls on sold data, eBay's Sold Items filter and TCGplayer market prices, and confirm the exact card number and rarity first, a base Darkrai and the #120 Mega Hyper Rare are different worlds. For where the era's biggest hits sit among the all-time greats, see our most valuable Pokemon cards guide.
- If you want the pack-opening thrill online, our guide to how to open Pokemon packs online explains simulators versus real packs and what happens to your pulls. On Polkastarter, Lootboxes list every card loaded inside with its market value before you open, and new users get a free Lootbox at signup.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Pokemon Pitch Black release?
Mega Evolution: Pitch Black launches worldwide on July 17, 2026. It is the fifth expansion of the Mega Evolution era, with over 115 cards in the base set and 120 including the secret-rare chases. Booster packs, an Elite Trainer Box with a Zarude promo, and Build and Battle Boxes release the same day.
What is the most valuable card in Pitch Black?
The early leader is the Mega Darkrai ex Mega Hyper Rare, #120, with Japanese copies trading around $600 before the English launch, followed by the Mega Darkrai ex Special Illustration Rare #116 at around $400. English prices will be volatile in launch week and typically settle lower within a few weeks, so check recent sold listings before buying or selling.
Is Pitch Black worth buying at launch?
Ripping packs at launch is the fun of it, and 36 of the 120 cards are chase-tier, so packs are lively. For pure value, history says launch day is the most expensive time to buy singles and the best time to sell a big pull, and the singles you want get cheaper 3 to 6 weeks after release. Buy what you enjoy, and price everything on sold data.
Where to Go From Here
Pitch Black is the biggest launch of the summer, Mega Darkrai ex is its face, and the chase list runs deeper than the headline card. Rip on launch weekend if you love the hunt, sell early if you hit big, buy singles patient, and check every pull's exact number and rarity before you trust a price.
News content, prices are pre-launch signals that will change quickly and nothing here is investment advice.
Sources
Iggy is a Web3 content strategist and writer with over 8 years of experience in the crypto space. She spent 4 years at TokenSuite, a leading Web3 marketing agency, where she produced content across 200+ projects including Biconomy and Natix Network, helping teams communicate complex blockchain concepts clearly and build engaged communities at scale.
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