Pokémon Pitch Black (ME05): Set Guide, Chase Cards and Products

Pokémon Pitch Black is the fifth main expansion of the Mega Evolution series and one of the moodiest-looking sets the Pokémon Trading Card Game has released in a while. Mega Darkrai ex leads the line-up, backed by Mega Zeraora ex, Mega Chandelure ex and Mega Excadrill ex, with a shadowy theme to match the name.

This guide covers everything Australian collectors and players need: when the set launched, the full secret rare list, the rarity breakdown, what is inside each sealed product, and how to choose between a booster box, Elite Trainer Box and booster bundle. Every fact here comes from official announcements and trusted card databases.

What Is Pokémon Pitch Black?

Pitch Black (set code ME05) is an English-language expansion in the Mega Evolution series. According to the official Pokémon press release, it brings Mega Evolution Pokémon from the Mega Dimension DLC for Pokémon Legends: Z-A into the card game. Like the rest of the series, its Mega Evolution Pokémon ex have high HP and strong attacks, but they give up three Prize cards when they are Knocked Out.

The English set is a close adaptation of Japan’s Abyss Eye expansion, which launched in Japan on 22 May 2026. That means the artwork and most of the card list were known well before the English release, which helped collectors plan which Pitch Black cards to chase.

Quick fact	Detail
Set name	Mega Evolution—Pitch Black
Set code	ME05
Prerelease events	From 4 July 2026
Pokémon TCG Live	16 July 2026
Worldwide release	17 July 2026
Main set	84 cards
Secret rares	36 cards (085 to 120)
Total	120 cards
Japanese counterpart	Abyss Eye
Headline card	Mega Darkrai ex

Pokémon Pitch Black Release Date and Timeline

Pitch Black reached shelves worldwide on 17 July 2026. Prerelease tournaments ran through Play! Pokémon at participating independent stores from 4 July 2026, and Pokémon TCG Live players could start using the cards from 16 July 2026, a day before the physical launch.

The set sits in the middle of a busy year for the Mega Evolution series, which has had a steady run of English releases since the Mega Evolution base set. Each one brings its own headline Mega Evolution Pokémon ex. Here is where Pitch Black fits in the English release order:

• ME01 Mega Evolution, the base set for the series
• ME02 Phantasmal Flames, the second main expansion
• ME2.5 Ascended Heroes, a special set
• ME03 Perfect Order (browse the Perfect Order card list)
• ME04 Chaos Rising (check the Chaos Rising card list)
• ME05 Pitch Black, released 17 July 2026
• ME06 Delta Reign, due 6 November 2026

If you skipped the earlier sets, Pitch Black works fine as a starting point. Each main expansion is a self-contained card list, so you can collect it on its own without needing anything from Chaos Rising or Perfect Order. Players can still mix cards from all the recent sets in the same deck.

Prerelease and Pokémon TCG Live

Prerelease events are a fun way to try a new set before launch. Players use a Build & Battle Box, which pairs four booster packs with a foil promo, and build a deck on the day. On the digital side, the expansion arrived in Pokémon TCG Live with login bonuses, including a themed deck accessory set and a Battle Pass deck featuring Mega Darkrai ex, so you can test the new cards online before buying.

The Mega Evolution Pokémon ex in Pitch Black

The official announcement lists six Mega Evolution Pokémon ex and four regular Pokémon ex. These are the cards most players build decks around, and several of them return as secret rares with alternate artwork. The table below shows each one with its main set number, based on the Serebii and Beckett checklists.

Card	Main set number	Secret rare versions
Lurantis ex	004/084	Ultra Rare 096
Mega Delphox ex	008/084	Main set only
Wailord ex	016/084	Ultra Rare 097
Mega Zeraora ex	027/084	Ultra Rare 098, SIR 114
Mega Slowbro ex	031/084	Main set only
Mega Chandelure ex	038/084	Ultra Rare 099, SIR 115
Rampardos ex	045/084	Ultra Rare 100
Mega Darkrai ex	048/084	Ultra Rare 101, SIR 116, Mega Hyper Rare 120
Morpeko ex	055/084	Ultra Rare 102, SIR 117
Mega Excadrill ex	065/084	Ultra Rare 103

Mega Darkrai ex is clearly the face of the set. It appears four times across the card list, including the gold Mega Hyper Rare at the very end. Mega Zeraora ex and Mega Chandelure ex each get a full-art Ultra Rare and a Special Illustration Rare, while Morpeko ex is the only regular Pokémon ex with a Special Illustration Rare.

Rampardos ex also deserves a mention. It shares the set with Bastiodon, which gets its own Illustration Rare, so fans of the Sinnoh fossil Pokémon have a pair of Pitch Black cards to look out for. It is a nice touch for long-time fans, since Rampardos and Bastiodon have been paired together since their debut games.

Pitch Black Chase Cards: The Secret Rares

Everything numbered above 084 is a secret rare. There are 36 of them, split into four rarity tiers. This section lists the full secret rare run so you can tick off your binder as you open packs. For the main set, check the complete Pokémon Pitch Black card list on Serebii, which shows every card with its number.

Special Illustration Rares (114 to 119)

These six full-art cards are the main reason many collectors open Pitch Black packs. Collector round-ups published after release ranked the Mega Darkrai ex Special Illustration Rare as the top chase of the set, with the Morpeko ex Special Illustration Rare also near the top as a fan favourite.

• 114/084 Mega Zeraora ex
• 115/084 Mega Chandelure ex
• 116/084 Mega Darkrai ex
• 117/084 Morpeko ex
• 118/084 Gladion’s Final Battle
• 119/084 Gwynn

Two of the six are Supporter cards, Gladion’s Final Battle and Gwynn. Character art Special Illustration Rares are a favourite category for many collectors, so these two get plenty of attention alongside the Pokémon ex. Supporter Special Illustration Rares are also playable cards, which means players and collectors end up chasing the same copies.

Mega Hyper Rare (120)

The final card in the set, 120/084, is a gold Mega Hyper Rare Mega Darkrai ex. There is only one Mega Hyper Rare in Pitch Black, which makes it the scarcest single rarity slot in the set. Some collectors prefer the illustrated Special Illustration Rare, while others love the gold finish, so many Darkrai fans try to land both.

Illustration Rares (085 to 095)

The 11 Illustration Rares show regular Pokémon in detailed full-art scenes. They are Fomantis, Armarouge, Goldeen, Primarina, Manectric, Slowbro, Dhelmise, Thievul, Bastiodon, Toucannon and Silvally. The Slowbro Illustration Rare, a Kanto favourite, ranked among the top chase cards in collector round-ups after release.

Ultra Rares (096 to 113)

The 18 Ultra Rares cover eight Pokémon ex and ten Trainer cards. The Trainers are Brave Bangle, Crushing Hammer, Dark Bell, Energy Switch, Gladion’s Final Battle, Gwynn, Iron Defender, Misty’s Vitality, Rust Syndicate Grunt and Tremendous Bomb. Misty’s Vitality has drawn plenty of attention from fans of the classic Cerulean City Gym Leader.

Tip: Sleeve every Illustration Rare and above as soon as it comes out of the pack. Dark artwork shows fingerprints and surface scratches more easily than lighter, brighter cards.

Pokémon Pitch Black Card List: Rarity Breakdown

Knowing how the 120 cards split across rarities helps you understand what a typical opening looks like. The main set is mostly Commons and Uncommons, with ten Double Rares holding the regular Pokémon ex and Mega Evolution Pokémon ex. The secret rare tiers then add the full-art and gold cards.

Rarity	Number of cards	Card numbers
Common	38	Main set
Uncommon	25	Main set
Rare	11	Main set
Double Rare	10	Main set
Illustration Rare	11	085 to 095
Ultra Rare	18	096 to 113
Special Illustration Rare	6	114 to 119
Mega Hyper Rare	1	120
Total	120	001 to 120

Pokémon does not publish official pull rates, so be careful with any figures you see online. Most are estimates from community opening data. What is safe to say is that the higher the tier, the fewer copies you will see, and the single Mega Hyper Rare is the hardest card to pull in the set.

Planning a Pitch Black master set

A master set means every card from 001 to 120, and serious collectors often add the reverse holo versions of the main set cards too. Start by opening packs for the Commons, Uncommons and Rares, then work out which secret rares are still missing. Keeping a printed or digital copy of the Pokémon Pitch Black card list beside your binder makes it easy to see gaps at a glance, and trading duplicates is usually quicker than opening more packs for one specific card.

Pitch Black Products: What Is Inside Each Box

The official release confirms that Pitch Black cards are available in booster packs, Elite Trainer Boxes and various collections. Each booster pack has 10 cards. Here is how the main sealed products compare, using the contents confirmed in published checklists and product listings.

Product	What’s inside	Best for
Pitch Black Booster Box	36 booster packs	Big openings, master set chasers
Pitch Black Elite Trainer Box	9 booster packs, full-art foil Zarude promo, 65 sleeves, 40 Energy cards, player’s guide, dice, coin, storage box	Players, gifts, first-time buyers
Pitch Black Booster Bundle	6 booster packs	A smaller opening without extras
Booster Box Sealed Case	6 booster boxes	Group breaks, serious collectors
ETB Sealed Case	10 Elite Trainer Boxes	Sealed collectors, clubs

Booster box: 36 packs

The booster box is the most pack-dense way to open the set. With 36 packs in one display, it gives you the best chance of building most of the main set and landing a few secret rares in one sitting. It suits collectors working towards a master set and players who want multiple copies of the Pitch Black cards they plan to use.

Elite Trainer Box: 9 packs plus accessories

The Elite Trainer Box pairs nine booster packs with everything a player needs to start: 65 card sleeves, 40 Energy cards, a player’s guide, six damage-counter dice, a competition-legal coin-flip die, a plastic coin, dividers and a sturdy collector’s box. It also includes a full-art foil Zarude promo and a Pokémon TCG Live code card.

Booster bundle: 6 packs

The booster bundle is the simple option. Six packs, no accessories, no promo. It is popular with collectors who already have sleeves and dice and just want to open Pitch Black packs. It also makes a tidy gift for someone who already plays and has a storage box at home.

Sealed cases

Sealed cases come straight from the distributor in their original outer packaging. The booster box case holds six booster boxes, and the Elite Trainer Box case holds ten ETBs. They are a good fit for clubs, group breaks or collectors who like to keep product sealed in factory condition.

Booster Box vs ETB vs Booster Bundle: Which Pitch Black Product Suits You?

There is no single right answer, because each product serves a different kind of buyer. Think about whether you mainly want packs, accessories, or a sealed item to keep on the shelf, and how many cards you want to open in one go. The list below matches common goals to the right product:

• You want the most packs in one go: pick the Pitch Black Booster Box.
• You are new to the game or buying a gift: the Elite Trainer Box gives packs plus sleeves, Energy and dice in one box.
• You want the Zarude promo: it comes in the Elite Trainer Box.
• You want a smaller opening: the Pitch Black Booster Bundle gives six packs with no extras.
• You run a club or group break: a sealed case of booster boxes or ETBs keeps everything in factory packaging.

Many collectors combine products. A common approach is to open a booster box for the bulk of the set, then pick up an Elite Trainer Box for the promo and a storage box to keep the cards organised. If you want help comparing box sizes across sets, our Pokémon booster box buying guide covers English, Japanese, Korean and Chinese boxes side by side.

Pitch Black vs Abyss Eye: English and Japanese Versions

Pitch Black is the English version of Japan’s Abyss Eye, which came out in Japan on 22 May 2026, almost two months before the English set. The English release follows the Japanese card list very closely, so the artwork you saw in Japanese openings is the artwork you get in English packs.

The main differences are in the product format rather than the cards. Japanese boosters, boxes and rarity symbols work differently from English ones, and English packs come with a Pokémon TCG Live code card. Some collectors buy both languages, opening English packs for play and keeping Japanese cards for their print quality and presentation.

If you are curious about the Japanese side of the hobby, our guide to Japanese Pokémon cards explains how Japanese sets line up with English ones. You can also browse our range of Japanese Pokémon booster box products to compare how Japanese sets are packaged and presented.

Tips for Collecting Pitch Black Pokémon Cards in Australia

A dark set like this deserves a bit of extra care. Deep, dark artwork makes scuffs and fingerprints easier to see, which matters if you plan to keep or grade your best pulls. A few simple habits go a long way:

• Sleeve and top-load chase cards straight away. Use a penny sleeve and a rigid top loader for every Illustration Rare and higher.
• Handle cards by the edges. Dark holo surfaces show fingerprints quickly.
• Store sealed product out of the sun. Australian summers bring heat and humidity, so keep boxes in a cool, dry cupboard rather than a garage or near a window.
• Track your master set. Use the rarity table above and an official checklist so you know exactly which numbers you still need.
• Trade your duplicates. Local league nights are a great place to swap spare Pitch Black cards for the ones missing from your binder.

If you plan to keep sealed product, store boxes upright or flat in a stable stack and avoid squashing the shrink wrap. Elite Trainer Boxes in particular can dent at the corners, so many collectors use acrylic cases for the ones they want to display.

Is Pokémon Pitch Black Worth Collecting?

That depends on what you enjoy. For Darkrai fans, the answer is easy: four versions of Mega Darkrai ex in one set, including a Special Illustration Rare and a gold Mega Hyper Rare, is a lot to chase. For players, the six Mega Evolution Pokémon ex and new Trainer cards such as Gwynn and Misty’s Vitality give fresh options for deck building.

Collectors who like a strong theme will also appreciate the set’s look, with Darkrai on the packaging and a name that sets the tone for the whole expansion. Just remember to buy for enjoyment rather than speculation, as card values move up and down over time.

Pokémon Pitch Black FAQ

When was Pokémon Pitch Black released?

Pitch Black was released worldwide on 17 July 2026. Prerelease events started on 4 July 2026 at participating stores, and the cards arrived in Pokémon TCG Live on 16 July 2026. The Japanese version, Abyss Eye, came out first on 22 May 2026.

How many cards are in Pitch Black?

There are 120 cards in total: 84 main set cards plus 36 secret rares numbered 085 to 120. The secret rares include 11 Illustration Rares, 18 Ultra Rares, six Special Illustration Rares and one Mega Hyper Rare, which is the gold Mega Darkrai ex.

What are the best Pitch Black chase cards?

The Mega Darkrai ex Special Illustration Rare (116/084) and the gold Mega Darkrai ex Mega Hyper Rare (120/084) are the headline chase cards. The Morpeko ex, Mega Zeraora ex and Mega Chandelure ex Special Illustration Rares are also highly sought after.

How many packs are in a Pitch Black booster box?

An English Pitch Black booster box contains 36 booster packs, and each pack has 10 cards. The Elite Trainer Box has nine packs plus accessories and a Zarude promo, and the booster bundle has six packs with no extras.

Is Pitch Black the same as the Japanese Abyss Eye set?

Pitch Black is the English adaptation of Abyss Eye, which released in Japan on 22 May 2026. The card list and artwork follow the Japanese set closely, but the packaging, pack sizes and product formats differ, so a Japanese box and an English box are not interchangeable.

What set comes after Pitch Black?

Delta Reign (ME06) follows Pitch Black, with a worldwide release date of 6 November 2026. It features Mega Rayquaza ex as its headline Pokémon, and our guide to that set covers the products and pre-order details.

Ready to open some packs? Browse our English Pokémon Booster Boxes, Pokémon Elite Trainer Boxes and Pokémon Booster Bundles for the full Pitch Black range. Every product is 100% authentic and officially licensed, priced in Australian dollars and shipped Australia-wide. For more set guides, visit the Ozzie Collectables blog, and if you have any questions, contact us.