Mega Rayquaza ex is the ultimate fan-favorite Legendary Pokémon, and its storied history in the Pokémon TCG has left an indelible mark as one of the most powerful and iconic cards ever printed. First debuting in the XY era with its groundbreaking Δ Evolution mechanic, Mega Rayquaza ex revolutionized deck-building and dominated tournaments worldwide. From the aggressive bench-scaling attacks of its original prints to whispers of a modern revival in rumored 2026 sets like Emerald Surge or MEGA Dream ex, this Dragon/Flying behemoth continues to captivate collectors and players. At CardChill.com, we’re diving deep into Mega Rayquaza ex’s legacy, gameplay impact, card variants, and market value—explore our Pokémon TCG sets for related expansions or Pokémon cards for listings.
The Origins: Mega Rayquaza ex’s Explosive Debut in XY Era
Mega Rayquaza ex exploded onto the scene in XY—Roaring Skies (May 2015, Japan Emerald Break) and XY—Ancient Origins (August 2015), quickly becoming a meta-defining powerhouse. The card’s Δ Evolution Ancient Trait allowed immediate Mega Evolution from Rayquaza without counting as an Ability, bypassing opponent blocks. Its signature attack, Dragon Ascent, dealt 30 damage times the number of Benched Pokémon—up to 240 on a full bench! With 230 HP, Fairy Weakness, and 2 Retreat Cost, it was an aggressive glass cannon that forced opponents to spread benches thin.
- Regular Print (Roaring Skies #61): Core attacker, illustrated by 5ban Graphics with soaring ozone art.
- Full Art Print (Roaring Skies #105): Premium chase with dynamic wingspread, etching like modern Full Arts.
- Ancient Origins #98: Mirror holo with identical effects, reprinted for accessibility.
The deck archetype “Mega Rayquaza EX” topped charts, winning 1st at 2016 Liverpool Regional and Top 8 at US Nationals 2016. Shaymin-EX draw, Sky Field stadium (6 benches), and Mega Turbo fueled T1 300-damage KOs.
Gameplay Legacy: The Deck That Broke the Meta
Mega Rayquaza ex decks were aggressive swarm strategies, benching 5-6 Pokémon (Sky Field) for massive Dragon Ascent hits. Key supports:
- Shaymin-EX: Draw 6 on play.
- Mega Turbo: Recycle Energies from discard.
- Rayquaza-EX Basic: Free setup via Δ Evolution.
It defined 2015-2017 Standard, forcing bans in casual play and inspiring video game mechanics (Rayquaza’s Mega in ORAS). Reprints in Celebrations Classic Collection (2021) and Japanese Promo Pack 25th Anniversary kept it alive.
Card Variants & Modern Prints
- XY Roaring Skies #61/108 (Regular): $10-20 raw; PSA 10 $100+.
- XY Roaring Skies #105/108 (Full Art): $50-100 raw; PSA 10 $300+.
- XY Ancient Origins #98 (Full Art): $20-40 raw; PSA 10 $150+.
- Celebrations Classic Collection (Confetti Holo): $15-30 raw; PSA 10 $80+.
- Japanese XY-D Mega Battle Deck #006/018: $30-50 raw.
No 2025 reprints yet, but rumors in MEGA Dream ex or Emerald Surge suggest a comeback.
Market Value & Investment Today
Mega Rayquaza ex remains valuable:
- Regular Roaring Skies #61: $10-20 raw; PSA 10 $100-150.
- Full Art #105: $50-100 raw; PSA 10 $300-500.
- Ancient Origins Full Art #98: $20-40 raw; PSA 10 $150-250.
- Celebrations: $15-30 raw; PSA 10 $80-120.
Trends: Up 20% YOY on Mega hype; PSA 10s appreciate 15% annually. Low pop (704 PSA 10s for Ancient Origins Full Art) ensures scarcity.
Future Hype: Rumored 2026 Revival?
Leaks suggest Mega Rayquaza ex in Emerald Surge (Japan January 23, 2026), with Delta Stream SIR and MA rarity. Z-A ties boost demand—expect $400+ raw SIR.
Mega Rayquaza ex is TCG royalty—powerful, iconic, timeless. For listings, visit Pokémon TCG sets