Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution—Ascended Heroes launches January 30, 2026 as the largest English expansion in TCG history with over 290 cards, surpassing Fusion Strike’s previous record of 284. The set marks the triumphant return of Mega Evolution Pokémon to the trading card game, headlined by the TCG debut of Mega Dragonite ex and featuring characters from the Pokémon Legends: Z-A video game. Unlike standard releases, this is a special set with no traditional booster boxes—packs are exclusively available through sealed products released in waves through April 2026.
The Japanese equivalent, MEGA Dream ex, released November 28, 2025, has already established the chase cards: Mega Gengar ex SIR commands approximately $594, while Mega Dragonite ex MUR (Gold) reaches $446 on the secondary market.
Set specifications and what’s new
The set carries designation ME02.5 (Mega Evolution 2.5) and introduces the first “J” regulation mark for international releases. The expansion combines cards from Japan’s MEGA Dream ex subset and Start Deck 100 Battle Collection, resulting in the expanded English card count.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Cards | 290+ (217 main set + 78+ secret rares) |
| Mega Evolution Pokémon ex | 13 cards |
| Tera Pokémon ex | 6 cards |
| Regular Pokémon ex | 20 cards |
| Illustration Rares | 33 cards |
| Special Illustration Rares | 22 cards |
| Mega Attack Rares | 7 cards |
| Ultra Rares | 14 cards |
A brand-new rarity type debuts in this set: Mega Attack Rare. These full-art Mega Evolution Pokémon ex cards feature pop art styling with attack names prominently displayed across the foreground—English cards showcase Japanese katakana text while Japanese cards display English text. The aesthetic pays homage to the original XY-era Mega Evolution cards.
All 13 Mega Evolution Pokémon ex
The flagship mechanic brings these Mega Evolutions to the TCG:
- Mega Dragonite ex (Dragon, 370 HP) — Set mascot, TCG debut
- Mega Charizard Y ex (Fire, 360 HP, #022/217)
- Mega Charizard X ex (Fire, 360 HP)
- Mega Gengar ex (Darkness, 350 HP, SIR #284/217)
- Mega Gardevoir ex (Psychic, 360 HP)
- Mega Lucario ex (Fighting, 340 HP)
- Mega Hawlucha ex (Fighting, 250 HP, SIR #283/217) — New Mega debut
- Mega Froslass ex (Water, 310 HP) — New Mega debut
- Mega Eelektross ex (Lightning, 350 HP) — New Mega debut
- Mega Scrafty ex (Darkness, 330 HP) — New Mega debut
- Mega Diancie ex (Psychic, 270 HP)
- Mega Meganium ex (Grass) — Box promo exclusive
- Mega Emboar ex / Mega Feraligatr ex (Fire/Water) — Box promo exclusives
Complete Special Illustration Rare card list
The set contains 22 Special Illustration Rares—the premium pull category featuring extended artwork. Confirmed English SIR numbers begin at #283/217:
| Card Number | Card Name | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 283/217 | Mega Hawlucha ex | Fighting | Artist: Akira Egawa; diving from skyscraper artwork |
| 284/217 | Mega Gengar ex | Darkness | TOP CHASE CARD; Artist: danciao; swirling toxic mist |
| TBD | Mega Froslass ex | Water | New Mega debut |
| TBD | Pikachu ex | Electric | Stellar Tera version |
| TBD | Mega Eelektross ex | Electric | New Mega debut |
| TBD | Iono’s Bellibolt ex | Electric | Trainer’s Pokémon |
| TBD | Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex | Psychic | Fan-favorite Trainer’s Pokémon |
| TBD | Mega Diancie ex | Fairy | Returning Mega Evolution |
| TBD | Mega Scrafty ex | Darkness | Streetwear aesthetic artwork |
| TBD | N’s Zoroark ex | Darkness | Trainer’s Pokémon |
| TBD | Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex | Darkness | ~$100 current value |
| TBD | Fezandipiti ex | Darkness | Loyal Three member |
| TBD | Steven’s Metagross ex | Steel | Trainer’s Pokémon |
| TBD | Mega Dragonite ex | Dragon | #2 chase card; set flagship |
| TBD | Iris’s Fighting Spirit | Supporter | Full art trainer |
| TBD | Canari | Supporter | New Legends: Z-A character |
| TBD | Surfer | Supporter | New Legends: Z-A character |
Additional SIRs from the Start Deck 100 Battle Collection include Mega Charizard Y ex, Mega Meganium ex, Mega Emboar ex, Mega Feraligatr ex, and Lillie’s Clefairy ex.
No Mega Hyper Rares (Gold cards) in this set
Important distinction: Unlike previous Mega Evolution era sets, Ascended Heroes does not include traditional gold Mega Hyper Rare cards. The highest rarity tier is a single Mega Ultra Rare (MUR):
| Card | Rarity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Dragonite ex (#250/193 JP) | Mega Ultra Rare | Gold-style treatment; the sole MUR; ~$446 market value |
This makes the Mega Dragonite ex MUR exceptionally chase-worthy as the single top-tier pull in the entire set.
All 7 Mega Attack Rare cards
The new pop art-style rarity features these cards:
- Mega Charizard X ex (360 HP)
- Mega Froslass ex (310 HP)
- Mega Eelektross ex (350 HP)
- Mega Gardevoir ex (360 HP)
- Mega Diancie ex (270 HP)
- Mega Lucario ex (340 HP)
- Mega Hawlucha ex (250 HP)
- Mega Gengar ex (350 HP) — Artist: Taiga Kasai
- Mega Scrafty ex (330 HP)
- Mega Dragonite ex (370 HP)
Notable Trainer’s Pokémon featured
The set includes extensive “Trainer’s Pokémon” partner cards:
- N’s Pokémon: Vanilluxe, Darmanitan, Zoroark ex, Reshiram, Zekrom
- Hop’s Pokémon: Trevenant, Zacian ex, Wooloo, Dubwool
- Cynthia’s Pokémon: Roserade, Garchomp ex, Spiritomb
- Iono’s Pokémon: Bellibolt ex, Kilowattrel
- Team Rocket’s Pokémon: Mewtwo ex, Crobat ex, Mimikyu, Articuno
- Lillie’s Pokémon: Clefairy ex
Products and release schedule
Since Ascended Heroes is a special set, no traditional booster boxes exist. Products release in four waves:
Wave 1 — January 30, 2026:
- Collections (Larry’s Komala / Erika’s Tangela): 2 packs + promo — $9.99
- Tech Sticker Collection (Charmander / Gastly): 3 packs + promo — $15.99
Wave 2 — February 20, 2026:
- Elite Trainer Box: 9 packs + N’s Zekrom IR promo — $49.99 MSRP
- Pokémon Center Exclusive ETB: 11 packs + stamped N’s Zekrom — $54.99 (Pre-orders sold out)
- Mini Tins (5 varieties): 2 packs each — $12.99-$14.99
Wave 3 — March 20, 2026:
- Premium Poster Collection (Mega Gardevoir ex / Mega Lucario ex): 10 packs + Mega Attack Rare promo — $59.99
- Mega Pokémon ex Boxes (Meganium/Emboar/Feraligatr): 4 packs + promo — $24.99-$29.99
Wave 4 — April 24, 2026:
- Booster Bundle: 6 packs — $26.94
Chase cards and current market values
Based on Japanese MEGA Dream ex market data (December 2025):
| Card | Rarity | Current Value |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Gengar ex | Special Illustration Rare | $594 |
| Mega Dragonite ex | Mega Ultra Rare (Gold) | $446 |
| Mega Dragonite ex | Special Illustration Rare | $394+ |
| Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex | Special Art Rare | ~$250 |
| Pikachu ex | Special Illustration Rare | ~$255 |
| Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex | Special Illustration Rare | ~$100 |
| N’s Zoroark ex | Special Illustration Rare | ~$60 |
| Canari | Full Art Supporter | $37 |
Graded PSA 10 projections place Mega Gengar ex SIR at $1,400-$2,000+ and Mega Dragonite ex MUR at $800-$1,200.
Set symbol and branding details
The set features Mega Dragonite ex prominently across all branding. English booster packs showcase Mega Dragonite ex and Mega Charizard Y ex (swapped from Japanese packaging which featured Mega Hawlucha and Mega Eelektross). The Elite Trainer Box displays Mega Dragonite in dark blue outlined in light blue against a swirling blue background, with matching card sleeves featuring the same design.
International set names include: Héros Transcendants (French), Erhabene Helden (German), Ascesa Eroica (Italian), and Heróis Excelsos (Brazilian Portuguese).
Conclusion
Ascended Heroes represents a landmark release for the Pokémon TCG—the largest English expansion ever created, the return of beloved Mega Evolution mechanics, and the introduction of the striking Mega Attack Rare rarity. The special set distribution model (no booster boxes) combined with Pokémon Legends: Z-A tie-ins and premium chase cards like the $594 Mega Gengar ex SIR positions this as one of the most collector-focused releases in recent TCG history. With the Pokémon Center Exclusive ETB already sold out during pre-orders, expect significant secondary market premiums once products hit shelves in early 2026.
