The next English Mega Evolution expansion is almost here, and it leans hard into its name. Pitch Black is built around Mega Darkrai ex and a dark, shadowy theme that fits the Pokemon perfectly. If you've been waiting for the Megas teased in the Legends: Z-A Mega Dimension content to hit English cardboard, this is the set. Here's a straight rundown of what's coming and how we'd approach it.
When it drops
Pitch Black (set code ME05) is slated to release in English on July 17th. It follows directly from Chaos Rising and is the English counterpart to Japan's Abyss Eye set. Prerelease events at participating Play! Pokemon stores are expected to run in the window roughly July 4th-12th, ahead of the wide launch. Dates this close in are usually solid, but treat them as the target rather than a guarantee until product is on shelves.
What's in the set
Pitch Black is shaping up to be a standard-sized modern expansion. Based on the reveals so far, the set is expected to land at over 115 cards, with a rarity breakdown that looks roughly like this: four Mega Evolution Pokemon ex, four standard Pokemon ex, eleven Illustration Rares, eighteen Ultra Rares, and six Special Illustration Rares before secret rares are counted.
The headline Megas are the reason to care:
- Mega Darkrai ex - the face of the set and the expected top chase
- Mega Zeraora ex
- Mega Chandelure ex
- Mega Excadrill ex
Several of these debut Mega forms first introduced in the Legends: Z-A Mega Dimension content, so this is the first English set to bring them to print.
The chase cards
For most collectors, the Mega Darkrai ex Special Illustration Rare is the card to watch - it's widely expected to be the most valuable pull in the set and one of the standout pieces of the Mega Evolution era's artwork so far. Beyond Darkrai, the other Mega ex cards and the Illustration Rares are where the secondary-market interest tends to concentrate. As always with a fresh set, prices are unsettled at launch and usually move a lot in the first few weeks as supply catches up.
How it stacks up
| Chaos Rising (ME04) | Pitch Black (ME05) | |
|---|---|---|
| English release | May 22 | July 17 |
| Headline Mega | Mega Greninja ex | Mega Darkrai ex |
| Approx. card count | 120+ | 115+ |
| Theme | Lumiose / Z-A | Dark / shadow |
| Japanese source set | Ninja Spinner | Abyss Eye |
Should you buy it?
The honest take: a dark-themed set headlined by a fan-favorite like Darkrai tends to draw strong early demand, and Mega ex sets have generally held collector interest well. If there's a specific product or card you know you want - a sealed booster box to open, or the Mega Darkrai ex SIR for the binder - lining up early usually beats chasing restocks later. If you're buying purely to rip, launch is the most fun, but remember sealed prices often soften once more product ships, so there's no need to overpay in a panic.
We'll be carrying Pitch Black product as it becomes available, alongside the rest of the Mega Evolution-era lineup - all authentic and shipped directly from us. See what's in stock right now.
Card counts, contents, prices, and dates are directional and based on early reveals - they can shift before launch.
Sources: PokeBeach - Pitch Black revealed, PokeBeach - Abyss Eye revealed, PokeBeach - Abyss Eye full set list.
