Pokemon Pitch Black: Chase Cards & Set Guide
The Pokemon TCG is about to get a lot darker. Mega Evolution—Pitch Black (set code ME05) is the fifth expansion in the Mega Evolution series, and it arrives wrapped in shadow, headlined by a brand-new Mega Darkrai ex. If you have been watching the Japanese Abyss Eye set climb in value since May, this English release is the one you have been waiting for. Here is our complete breakdown of the set: the chase cards, the pull rates, the products, and whether it is worth chasing at all.
What Is Mega Evolution—Pitch Black?
Pitch Black is the English-language adaptation of the Japanese Abyss Eye expansion, which launched on May 22, 2026. The two sets are near-identical in card roster, so collectors already have a month-plus of Japanese market data to reference — a rare luxury when a set is still in pre-release. The theme is exactly what the name promises: Darkness-type Pokemon, eerie nighttime illustrations, and a marquee Mega Evolution built around one of the franchise’s most iconic phantoms. This is a set with a strong artistic identity, and that identity is a big part of why its top cards are already generating heat.
Pitch Black Release Date and Prerelease Window
Mark your calendar: Pitch Black officially releases on July 17, 2026. Ahead of the street date, official prerelease events are running from July 4 through July 12, 2026, using the Build & Battle Box. Prereleases are the earliest legal way to get Pitch Black cards in hand and are a great low-cost entry point — you build a 40-card deck from a sealed kit and play a casual event, keeping everything you open. If you have never been to one, they are beginner-friendly and one of the most fun ways to experience a new set before the wider release.
The Set at a Glance: 118 Cards
Pitch Black contains 118 cards in the standard numbering — 81 cards in the main set plus 37 secret rares that sit above the set total. Within that count are more than 20 Trainer cards and over 35 cards with special illustrations of both Pokemon and Trainers. The expansion is built around four Mega Evolution Pokemon ex: Mega Darkrai ex, Mega Zeraora ex, Mega Chandelure ex, and Mega Excadrill ex. Each Mega ex features the etched, textured foiling that has become a signature of the Mega Evolution series, and the secret-rare tier is where nearly all of the set’s long-term value lives.
Mega Darkrai ex: The Set’s Reason for Existing
Make no mistake — Pitch Black exists to sell Mega Darkrai ex. It is a Darkness-type Basic Pokemon with a hefty 280 HP. Its Night Raid attack hits for 110 damage, plus another 110 if any of your opponent’s Benched Pokemon already carry damage counters, while its signature Abyss Eye attack simply knocks out the opposing Active Pokemon outright if it is affected by any Special Condition. It is a genuinely playable card, but its collectible ceiling is what everyone is talking about. Mega Darkrai ex appears in four distinct versions across the set, and two of them are the crown jewels of the entire release.
The Top 10 Chase Cards in Pitch Black
Based on the Japanese Abyss Eye market and early English demand, here is how we rank the ten cards worth chasing, from the ultimate pull down. Card numbers are listed so you know exactly what you are looking at.
- Mega Darkrai ex — Gold Mega Hyper Rare (#118). The rarest pull in the set and the hardest to find. The gold-etched treatment makes this the definitive Pitch Black grail.
- Mega Darkrai ex — Special Illustration Rare (#114). Illustrated by the acclaimed Akira Egawa, this SIR depicts Mega Darkrai as an eldritch force wreathed in shadow and crackling energy. It is the marquee art card of the set and the most sought-after for collectors who buy on artwork alone. In Japan the Abyss Eye equivalent has traded around 79,800 yen (roughly $500).
- Gwynn — Trainer SIR (#117). A full-art Trainer SIR that has shown an upward price spike; Trainer SIRs of popular characters tend to outperform expectations.
- Morpeko ex — SIR (#115). A stable, well-liked Pokemon SIR that rounds out the top of the artistic tier.
- Mega Zeraora ex — SIR (#112). The set’s secondary Mega and a strong SIR in its own right.
- Mega Chandelure ex — SIR (#113). A gorgeous Fire/Ghost-flavored SIR that fits the set’s spooky theme perfectly.
- Bill’s Deterministic Plan — Supporter SIR (#116). A full-art Supporter SIR; lower demand than Gwynn but still a genuine secret rare.
- Mega Darkrai ex — Full Art Ultra Rare (#99). The Full-Art UR version, illustrated by 5ban Graphics, for collectors who want a striking Darkrai without SIR pricing.
- Mega Zeraora ex — Ultra Rare (#96). The Full-Art UR companion to the Zeraora SIR.
- Full-Art Zarude — Elite Trainer Box promo. Guaranteed in every ETB, this exclusive Zarude is the accessible chase for collectors who would rather not gamble on pack odds.
One notable absence: Mega Excadrill ex did not receive a Special Illustration Rare and tops out as a standard Ultra Rare (#101), which keeps it well below the other three Megas in value.
Understanding Rarities and Pull Rates
If you are opening sealed product, temper your expectations with the numbers. Based on early data, the Gold Mega Hyper Rare Darkrai (#118) lands roughly once every 45 booster boxes — this is a true case-hit-tier card. A standard Special Illustration Rare shows up around once every 20 boxes, and more common Illustration Rares appear at a rate of about three per box. In other words, the artwork chases like the Egawa Darkrai are attainable if you open volume, but the gold Darkrai is the kind of card most people will buy as a single rather than pull themselves. Knowing these odds is the single most important tool for spending your money wisely.
Elite Trainer Box vs. Booster Box
The two flagship sealed products serve different buyers. The Elite Trainer Box (ETB) carries a $49.99 MSRP and includes 9 booster packs, an exclusive Full-Art Zarude promo, 65 card sleeves, 40 energy cards, dice, a coin, and a storage box. It is the best pick for players and casual collectors who want accessories and a guaranteed promo. The booster box holds 36 packs (expect roughly $160–$180 at retail) and offers the best cost-per-pack ratio, making it the tool of choice for anyone seriously hunting SIRs. If your goal is the artwork, the box; if your goal is value plus a guaranteed card, the ETB.
The Other Products: Blisters, Bundles, and Build & Battle
Beyond the headline boxes, Pitch Black ships with a full product line. The Build & Battle Box (used at prereleases) pairs a ready-to-play deck with four boosters and is a fantastic low-commitment entry. Sealed hunters can also find a Booster Bundle, a 3-pack blister with a Binacle promo, premium checklane blisters featuring Gengar and Luxray, standard checklane blisters with Aurorus and Tyrantrum, and a single-pack blister with a Slowpoke promo. There is also a Pokemon Center Elite Trainer Box with 11 packs and a stamped Zarude promo for collectors who want the exclusive version.
Investment Outlook: Is Pitch Black Worth It?
The case for Pitch Black is unusually strong for a pre-release set because we already have Japanese Abyss Eye data. The Egawa Mega Darkrai SIR has held roughly $500 in Japan, and Darkrai is a perennial fan-favorite whose cards tend to hold value across generations — character demand, not just scarcity, underpins the price. The risk is the usual one: modern sets are printed in enormous quantities, sealed prices often soften in the months after launch, and the singles you actually want (the gold Darkrai, the Egawa SIR) command a premium precisely because pulling them is so unlikely. Our honest take: buy sealed for the fun of opening and long-term speculation, but if you specifically want the top chases, buying graded or raw singles after launch is usually the smarter dollar-for-dollar move.
A Note on Availability at Bad Moon Rising
Full transparency: we do not currently stock Pitch Black, and we cannot promise we will receive allocation. This guide is purely informational — there are no pre-orders here and no pressure to buy. What we do carry is a deep selection of in-stock Mega Evolution–era Pokemon product, so if the shadowy new set has you in the mood for Mega Evolution cardboard you can open today, we have you covered. Every order ships at a flat $5 rate, and shipping is free on orders over $300.
Shop Related Products
Bring the Mega Evolution era home with what we have in stock right now:
- Mega Evolution: Perfect Order Booster Box — a full 36-pack box for serious SIR hunters.
- Mega Evolution: Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box — packs, accessories, and a promo in one tidy box.
- Mega Charizard X ex Ultra Premium Collection — a premium centerpiece for any Mega collection.
- Browse the full Pokemon collection for everything else in stock.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Pokemon Pitch Black release?
Mega Evolution—Pitch Black releases on July 17, 2026, with official prerelease events running July 4 through July 12, 2026. It is the English adaptation of the Japanese Abyss Eye set from May 2026.
What is the best chase card in Pitch Black?
The two headliners are the Mega Darkrai ex Gold Mega Hyper Rare (#118), which is the rarest pull at roughly one per 45 booster boxes, and the Mega Darkrai ex Special Illustration Rare (#114) by Akira Egawa, which is the most desirable art card and has traded around $500 in Japan.
Should I buy an Elite Trainer Box or a booster box?
Choose the ETB ($49.99, 9 packs) if you want accessories and a guaranteed Full-Art Zarude promo. Choose the 36-pack booster box (about $160–$180) if you want the best cost-per-pack and are actively hunting Special Illustration Rares.
Is Pitch Black worth investing in?
The top singles — the gold Darkrai and the Egawa SIR — have strong long-term potential thanks to Darkrai’s enduring popularity and proven Japanese pricing. Sealed product is fun to open but often softens after launch, so many collectors find buying the specific chase cards as singles to be the better value.
Does Bad Moon Rising sell Pitch Black?
Not at this time. We do not stock Pitch Black and cannot guarantee allocation. We do carry plenty of in-stock Mega Evolution–era products, with $5 flat-rate shipping and free shipping on orders over $300.
