The Mega Evolution era started in autumn 2025 and has released a new English set roughly every two months since. Add special sets and the 30th anniversary, and it gets hard to keep track of which set is which, which ones have booster boxes, and where a product like a “ME06 ETB” fits in.
This guide lists every Mega Evolution set in release order, with set codes, dates, the headline Mega ex cards, and what kind of products each set comes in.
All Mega Evolution sets at a glance
| # | Set | Code | Type | English release | Headline cards | Booster box? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mega Evolution | ME01 | Main set | September 2025 | Mega Lucario ex, Mega Gardevoir ex | Yes |
| 2 | Phantasmal Flames | ME02 | Main set | November 2025 | Mega Charizard X ex | Yes |
| – | Ascended Heroes | – | Special set | 30 January 2026 | Mega Gengar ex, Mega Charizard Y ex | No |
| 3 | Perfect Order | ME03 | Main set | 27 March 2026 | Mega Zygarde ex, Mega Clefable ex, Mega Starmie ex, Mega Skarmory ex | Yes |
| 4 | Chaos Rising | ME04 | Main set | 22 May 2026 | Mega Greninja ex | Yes |
| 5 | Pitch Black | ME05 | Main set | 17 July 2026 | Mega Darkrai ex, Mega Zeraora ex | Yes |
| – | 30th Celebration | – | Anniversary set | September 2026 | All-foil packs, Classic Collection reprints | No |
| 6 | Delta Reign | ME06 | Main set | 6 November 2026 | Mega Rayquaza ex | Yes |
Rule of thumb: sets with an ME number are main sets and come in booster boxes. Sets without a number (Ascended Heroes, 30th Celebration) are special sets. Their packs only come inside collections, tins, Elite Trainer Boxes and bundles.
What changed in the Mega Evolution era
- Mega Evolution Pokémon ex are back. Unlike the XY era, evolving into a Mega no longer ends your turn. They evolve like any other Pokémon.
- Three Prize cards. When a Mega Evolution Pokémon ex is Knocked Out, your opponent takes three Prize cards instead of two.
- New rarities. Mega Attack Rares (two stars) and Mega Hyper Rares (three gold stars) sit on top of the Illustration Rares and Special Illustration Rares from Scarlet & Violet.
- Several Japanese sets per English set. As in the previous era, one English set often combines cards from more than one Japanese release. The first English set, for example, draws on Japan’s Mega Brave and Mega Symphonia.
Each set in detail
Mega Evolution (ME01)
The first set of the era, released in September 2025, built on the Japanese sets Mega Brave and Mega Symphonia. Mega Lucario ex and Mega Gardevoir ex are the faces of the set and of most of its products. The Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box (Mega Gardevoir) and the Mega Evolution Booster Bundle are the easiest ways in.
Phantasmal Flames (ME02)
Released in November 2025 and based on Japan’s Inferno X. Mega Charizard X ex is the headline card, and as with every Charizard set, its Special Illustration Rare drives most of the demand. The Phantasmal Flames Booster Bundle gives you six packs with no extras.
Ascended Heroes (special set)
The big special set of the era, with over 290 cards, 13 Mega ex and 22 Special Illustration Rares. There is no booster box. Products ran from January to April 2026 and include the Premium Poster Collections (Mega Gardevoir and Mega Lucario), an Elite Trainer Box with an N’s Zekrom promo and a Pokémon Center ETB. Every product is explained in our Ascended Heroes product guide.
Perfect Order (ME03)
Released on 27 March 2026. Perfect Order brought the English debuts of Mega Zygarde ex, Mega Clefable ex, Mega Starmie ex and Mega Skarmory ex, with six Special Illustration Rares. As a main set it has booster boxes and wide retail distribution. The Perfect Order Booster Bundle is the cheapest way to open a few packs.
Chaos Rising (ME04)
Released on 22 May 2026, after prereleases from 9 to 17 May. Mega Greninja ex leads the set, and the gameplay theme is board control through targeted damage counter placement. The Elite Trainer Box promo is a Fennekin Illustration Rare. Chaos Rising also came in several blisters, including the single-pack Toxel blister.
Pitch Black (ME05)
Released on 17 July 2026 and based closely on Japan’s Abyss Eye. Mega Darkrai ex is the star: both its Special Illustration Rare and its Mega Hyper Rare are the most valuable cards in the set. Mega Zeraora ex, Mega Chandelure ex, Morpeko ex and the Gwynn Supporter are the other big hits. The Pitch Black Elite Trainer Box has 9 packs and a full-art Zarude promo.
30th Celebration (anniversary set)
The Pokémon 30th anniversary set. Every pack is all-foil, and the set includes Classic Collection reprints that are not legal in Standard. In English there is no booster box: packs come in the Ultra-Premium Collections, the Ditto Premium Collection, booster bundles and other products released through to December. In Japan the set is the M6a display. We compare the two in 30th Celebration: M6a display vs Ultra-Premium Collection.
Delta Reign (ME06)
Releasing on 6 November 2026, with prereleases from 24 October. Mega Rayquaza ex headlines, and the set is expected to draw mainly on Japan’s Storm Emeralda. Delta Reign is a main set, not a special set: it has booster boxes, booster bundles, an Elite Trainer Box (the “ME06 ETB”) with a Kyogre Illustration Rare promo, and blisters. See the Delta Reign product guide for every product.
What comes after Delta Reign?
The next Japanese main set, Hadou Seeker (M7, “Aura Seeker” in English), is due in Japan on 27 November 2026. An English version usually follows a few months later, but there is no official English date yet. Our release calendar for late 2026 and 2027 is updated as dates are announced.
Which Mega Evolution set should you buy?
- For chase cards: Ascended Heroes (Mega Gengar ex) and Phantasmal Flames (Mega Charizard X ex) have the most expensive hits of the era so far. Pitch Black’s Mega Darkrai ex is close behind.
- For value per pack: Any main set with a booster box. A display always costs less per pack than ETBs, collections and blisters.
- For playing: The newest main set. Delta Reign adds Mega Rayquaza ex and the new split Legendary Stadium cards.
- For sealed collecting: Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Boxes and special-set premium products, because they are printed once and rarely reprinted in the same form.
All current stock is in the Pokémon TCG category and the Elite Trainer Box category. If you are unsure which product type to pick, read our sealed product guide first.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first Mega Evolution set?
Mega Evolution (ME01), released in September 2025. It started the era with Mega Lucario ex and Mega Gardevoir ex.
Is Delta Reign a special set?
No. Delta Reign (ME06) is a main expansion with booster boxes, booster bundles, an Elite Trainer Box and blisters. The special sets of the era are Ascended Heroes and 30th Celebration.
What does ME06 mean?
ME06 is the set code for Delta Reign, the sixth main set of the Mega Evolution series. An “ME06 ETB” is the Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box.
Which Mega Evolution sets have no booster box?
Ascended Heroes and 30th Celebration. Both are special sets, so their packs only come inside other products.
In what order should I collect the Mega Evolution sets?
By release: Mega Evolution, Phantasmal Flames, Ascended Heroes, Perfect Order, Chaos Rising, Pitch Black, 30th Celebration, Delta Reign.
Are Mega Evolution cards legal in Standard?
Yes. Cards from the Mega Evolution sets are legal in Standard. The exception is the 30th Celebration Classic Collection reprints, which are not.
How many Prize cards does a Mega ex give up?
Three. A Knocked Out Mega Evolution Pokémon ex gives your opponent three Prize cards.
