Get ready, trainers – the Pokémon Trading Card Game is roaring back to its Mega Evolution glory with Mega Evolution—Acsended Heroes, the ultimate special set dropping starting January 30, 2026! This isn’t your average expansion; it’s a collector’s paradise and meta-shaker packed with over 290 cards, including 13 never-before-seen Mega Pokémon ex, stunning Special Illustration Rares (SIRs), and iconic Trainer’s Pokémon revivals. Drawing from Japan’s hyped MEGA Dream ex (releasing November 28, 2025) and Start Deck 100, Ascended Heroes blends nostalgia with fresh powerhouses like Mega Dragonite ex. No standalone booster boxes here – just a staggered product wave perfect for targeted pulls and deck-building. With full set lists leaking and preorders imminent, 2026’s TCG scene is about to ascend!
What to Expect: Mega Evolutions Ascend Once More
Ascended Heroes explodes with 13 Mega Evolution Pokémon ex headlined by the majestic Mega Dragonite ex, soaring into battle with devastating attacks. Expect 6 Tera Pokémon ex, 20 additional Pokémon ex, over 30 Trainer cards, 33 Illustration Rares, 14 Ultra Rares, 7 unique Mega Attack Rares (featuring stylized katakana attack names), and a jaw-dropping 22 Special Illustration Rares across Megas, ex, and Supporters. Booster packs rock nostalgic 90s-style silhouette wrappers spotlighting Dragonite, Charizard Y, Pikachu, and Mewtwo.
Gameplay-wise, Trainer’s Pokémon like N’s Zekrom, N’s Vanilluxe, and Team Rocket’s Exeggutor promise coin-flip chaos and synergy bombs. Reprints such as Stellar Pikachu and Rocket’s Mewtwo could dominate with Night Mine Stadium punishing Stellar decks by hiking Energy costs. This special set bridges Scarlet & Violet eras, teasing Legends: Z-A vibes while delivering high pull rates in curated products.
Cards to Chase: Previews, Pulls & Leaks
Chasing hits? Official previews include fiery Mega Charizard Y ex (#22), legendary Entei (#25), icy N’s Vanilluxe (#51), and the ghostly Mega Gengar ex SIR (#284) – a purple-flame phantom grinning amid shadows, primed for SIR hunter glory.
Leaks from MEGA Dream ex’s full 193-card main set reveal beasts like Mega Hawlucha ex (aerial dominator), Mega Scrafty ex (brutal brawler), Cynthia’s Spiritomb (eerie purple AR tower guardian), Spectrier, Glastrier, Rayquaza, and Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex SIR. Gold Hyper Rares tease Mewtwo Y, while Psyduck AR memes its way to viral fame. English exclusives swap in Mega Charizard Y, and over 30 special illus cards mean rainbow pulls galore. Meta monsters? Rocket’s Mewtwo reprint eyes Tier 1 with support.
Promos steal the show: N’s Zekrom (ETB illus rare, stamped PC version), Erika’s Tangela / Larry’s Komala (Collections), Charmander / Gastly holo reprints (Tech Stickers), and Mega Lucario ex / Mega Gardevoir ex Mega Attack Rares (Posters).
Full Product Lineup: Staggered Releases for Maximum Hype
No loose packs – Ascended Heroes rolls out in waves for epic unboxings:
| Product | Release Date | Contents | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ascended Heroes Collection (Erika’s Tangela / Larry’s Komala) | Jan 30, 2026 | 2 booster packs, foil promo, matching coin | $9.99 |
| Tech Sticker Collection (Charmander / Gastly) | Jan 30, 2026 | 3 booster packs, foil promo, Mega sticker sheet (Charizard Y / Gengar) | $15.99 |
| Elite Trainer Box | Feb 20, 2026 | 9 packs, N’s Zekrom promo, 65 sleeves, 40 Energy, guide, 6 dice, coin die, plastic coin, box w/ dividers, PTCG Live code | $49.99 |
| Pokémon Center ETB | Feb 20, 2026 | Enhanced ETB w/ 2x N’s Zekrom promos (1 stamped) | ~$59.99 |
| Mini Tins (5 designs) | Feb 20, 2026 | 2 packs, sticker sheet, collectible art card | $9.99 (display of 8) |
| Premium Poster Collection (Mega Lucario ex / Mega Gardevoir ex) | Mar 20, 2026 | 10 packs, Mega promo, 27″ x 39″ double-sided poster, PTCG Live code | $49.99 |
| Booster Bundle | Apr 24, 2026 | 6 booster packs | $26.94 |
Rumors and Leaks: The Hype Train Explodes
Japan’s MEGA Dream ex drops in days, and leaks are wildfire! Full set scans confirm 193 main cards plus secrets, with Mega Gengar ex SIR haunting pulls and Gold Hyper Rares like potential Mewtwo Y. Team Rocket’s Pokémon return with Exeggutor’s KO flips, while N’s Zekrom ETB promo thunders meta potential. Silhouette arts, 180+ secrets, and Phantasmal ETB teases fuel frenzy – preorders could hit Pokémon Center tomorrow!
Preorders, Availability, and Pro Tips
Preorders launch soon at Pokémon Center, GameStop, Amazon, and LGS – ETBs and Posters will vanish fast. Tip: Snag Collections/Tech Stickers Jan 30 for quick Megas; ETBs for sleeves/decks. Budget $200+ for SIR hunting – resale on chases like Mega Gengar could 10x.
Why Ascended Heroes Will Dominate 2026
This set revives Mega hype, packs value-packed products, and leaks meta flips – Tier 1 decks incoming! With Legends: Z-A looming, Ascended Heroes cements 2026 as Pokémon TCG’s pinnacle. Who’s chasing that Dragonite? Gear up – ascension awaits! 🚀
