The debate on the has reached a fever pitch: do you stack the “small but mighty” final mainline set of 2025, or do you go all-in on the massive 30th Anniversary “special” set? In my two decades of , I’ve learned that the best ROI isn’t always found in the loudest set, but in the one with the most sustainable “Scarcity Engine.”
As of February 23, 2026, we have enough data from the list to declare a winner. While Phantasmal Flames (PFL) brought the heat with the Mega Charizard X ex SIR, Ascended Heroes (AH) is rewriting the rules of modern appreciation.
1. The Scarcity Engine: Booster Boxes vs. Special Set Waves
The most critical factor for is how the product is distributed.
- Phantasmal Flames: Being a standard expansion, it has Booster Boxes. This creates a “Liquidity Trap.” Since boxes are the most efficient way to open packs, the market is currently flooded with single cards, which has driven the price of mid-tier IRs down by 40% since November 2025.
- Ascended Heroes: This is a Special Set (like Crown Zenith or 151). There are no booster boxes. To get packs, you must buy through ETBs, Tech Sticker Collections, or Mini Tins.
Information Gain Play: In 2026, “Pack-to-Pull” cost is higher for Ascended Heroes. Historically, sets without booster boxes appreciate 30-50% faster in the “Sealed” category because they are harder to stockpile in massive quantities.
2. The Chase Ceiling: Charizard X vs. The “Mega Nine”
Investors often fall for the “Charizard Trap”—the idea that a single big lizard can carry a set. Phantasmal Flames is essentially a “Two-Card Set” (Charizard X SIR and Dawn SIR). If those two cards drop, the set dies.
In contrast, like Ascended Heroes are “Deep” sets. As I noted in my , AH features at least nine tier-one grails, including the Pikachu ex SIR, Steven’s Metagross, and the Mega Gengar ex SAR.
Why the “Deep Set” Wins in 2026
When a set has 20+ Special Illustration Rares, it creates “Collector Exhaustion.” People can’t finish the set by simply ripping packs. They are forced to buy singles, which keeps the floor incredibly stable. While Phantasmal Flames boxes are struggling to stay above $160, Ascended Heroes PC ETBs are already touching $150 on the secondary market—just weeks after launch.
3. The “Legends: Z-A” Synergy
Google’s AI-driven search in 2026 is heavily favoring content that links TCG products to current gaming trends. This is where Ascended Heroes takes the lead.
- Phantasmal Flames focuses on Fire and Darkness (Unova-heavy).
- Ascended Heroes is the direct mechanical bridge to the Legends: Z-A release in March.
By the time the game launches, the in Ascended Heroes will be the “legal” cards people want for their decks and the “nostalgic” cards they want for their binders. We are already seeing “Search Volume” for Mega Dragonite and Mega Lucario outpace Charizard by 12% this month.
4. The “Old Cert” vs. “New Tech” Multiplier
One thing I’ve noticed in my recent is that Ascended Heroes used a new “Prismatic Etching” process that wasn’t present in Phantasmal Flames. This makes the AH cards harder to forge and more visually distinct in a PSA slab.
Investors are already paying a 15% premium for the “Texture Depth” of AH cards. If you are building a portfolio for 2027 and beyond, you want the cards that represent the peak of printing technology.
The Verdict: Mike’s Final ROI Allocation
If you have $2,000 to invest this month across different , here is how I would split it:
- 70% ($1,400) into Ascended Heroes Sealed: Focus on PC ETBs and the Mini Tin Displays. The “no-booster-box” scarcity is your best friend.
- 20% ($400) into Phantasmal Flames Singles: Buy the “Dip” on the Mega Charizard X ex SIR. It’s currently at its floor of $450.
- 10% ($200) into and Supplies: Invest in high-quality semi-rigids. In 2026, “Gradeability” is the only way to hit a 5x return.
Phantasmal Flames is a solid set, but Ascended Heroes is an Era-Defining set. In five years, we will look back at AH as the Evolving Skies of the 30th Anniversary.
Are you betting on the Flame or the Heroes? Let’s settle it on the !
This video provides a deep dive into the specific “Mega Attack Rares” and pull rates that give Ascended Heroes its massive ROI advantage over standard sets.