Phantasmal Flames Guide: Mega Charizard X ex, Chase Cards and Every Product Explained

Phantasmal Flames is the second main expansion in the Pokémon TCG’s Mega Evolution series, and it is the set that brought Mega Charizard X ex into English booster packs. It launched on 14 November 2025 with a clear Fire and Darkness theme, Mega Gengar ex sharing the spotlight, and a deep group of Illustration Rares backing up the big headline cards.

This guide walks through where the set sits in the series, how its 130 cards are structured, which cards collectors chase hardest, and exactly what comes in each sealed product. If you are torn between a booster box, an Elite Trainer Box or a booster bundle, the comparison table further down should make that choice a lot easier.

What Is Phantasmal Flames?

Pokémon Phantasmal Flames carries the product code ME02 and the set abbreviation PFL, which you will see on tournament deck lists. Its cards come mainly from the Japanese Inferno X expansion, released in Japan on 26 September 2025, with a handful drawn from the Japanese MEGA Starter Sets for Mega Gengar ex and Mega Diancie ex.

The English release brings these together into a 130-card set: 94 cards in the main numbered set plus 36 secret rares numbered above 094. According to The Pokémon Company’s announcement, the set includes six Mega Evolution Pokémon ex and four regular Pokémon ex, so Megas share the spotlight with familiar ex cards.

For players, the set added fresh Fire and Darkness tools to the Standard format. For collectors, it delivered one of the most recognisable Pokémon in the hobby in three premium versions. That combination is a big reason the Mega Evolution Phantasmal Flames release drew so much attention when it hit shelves in Australia.

Phantasmal Flames Release Date and the Mega Evolution Timeline

The set launched on 14 November 2025 across the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand at the same time. Prerelease events at participating local game stores began on 1 November 2025, and the cards went live in Pokémon TCG Live on 13 November 2025, a day before the physical release. Here is how it fits into the wider Mega Evolution series so far:

Set	Code	English release	Headline Pokémon
Mega Evolution	ME01	26 September 2025	Mega Lucario ex, Mega Gardevoir ex
Phantasmal Flames	ME02	14 November 2025	Mega Charizard X ex, Mega Gengar ex
Ascended Heroes	ME2.5	30 January 2026	Mega Dragonite ex
Perfect Order	ME03	27 March 2026	Mega Zygarde ex
Chaos Rising	ME04	22 May 2026	Mega Greninja ex, Mega Floette ex
Pitch Black	ME05	17 July 2026	Mega Darkrai ex, Mega Zeraora ex
Delta Reign	ME06	6 November 2026 (scheduled)	Mega Rayquaza ex

Being the second main set means this one arrived while the Mega mechanic was still brand new. If you are collecting the Mega Evolution era from the start, it is one of the core sets for your binder, alongside the original Mega Evolution expansion.

How Mega Evolution Pokémon ex Work

Mega Evolution Pokémon ex are the defining mechanic of the series. They carry more HP and hit harder than regular Pokémon ex, but the trade-off is steep: when one is Knocked Out, your opponent takes three Prize cards instead of two. That makes every Mega a high-risk, high-reward play.

Mega Charizard X ex shows the idea perfectly. It is a Stage 2 Fire Pokémon that evolves from Charmeleon and has 360 HP. Its attack, Inferno X, costs two Fire Energy and lets you discard any amount of Fire Energy from among your Pokémon, dealing 90 damage for each card discarded. It has Water weakness and a retreat cost of two.

In practice that means a well-built deck can deal huge damage in a single turn, but it burns through Energy quickly. Read the set’s Trainer cards closely if you plan to build around it, and always check current Standard format rules before a tournament.

Mega Gengar ex, the other headliner

Mega Gengar ex is the Darkness side of Phantasmal Flames. It is a Stage 2 that evolves from Haunter, has 350 HP and attacks with Void Gale for two Darkness Energy, dealing 230 damage and moving an Energy from itself to one of your Benched Pokémon. Its Ability, Shadowy Concealment, can reduce the Prize cards your opponent takes when their Pokémon ex knock out one of your Darkness Pokémon, which makes it an interesting card to build around.

The Phantasmal Flames Card List at a Glance

The full Phantasmal Flames card list runs from 001 to 130, with every card printed out of 094. Anything numbered 095 or above is a secret rare. Main set cards also come in reverse holo versions, which is why master set collectors need far more than 130 cards. Here is how the rarities break down:

Rarity	Card numbers	Cards	Examples
Main set (Common to Double Rare)	001 to 094	94	Mega Charizard X ex 013, Mega Gengar ex 056
Illustration Rare	095 to 107	13	Piplup, Zacian, Flygon, Meowth
Ultra Rare	108 to 124	17	Mega Heracross ex, Dawn, Ignition Energy
Special Illustration Rare	125 to 129	5	Mega Charizard X ex, Rotom ex, Dawn
Mega Hyper Rare	130	1	Mega Charizard X ex

The ten Pokémon ex in the main set

These are the Double Rare ex cards you can pull at the top end of the main set. Double Rares are the easiest way to pick up playable copies of the headline Pokémon, and they turn up far more often than the full-art and illustrated versions further up the list:

• Mega Heracross ex (004)
• Mega Charizard X ex (013)
• Oricorio ex (018)
• Rotom ex (029)
• Mismagius ex (036)
• Mega Diancie ex (041)
• Mega Gengar ex (056)
• Mega Sharpedo ex (061)
• Empoleon ex (070)
• Mega Lopunny ex (084)

Mega Gengar ex and Mega Diancie ex only appear here as Double Rares, so there are no full-art or Special Illustration versions of those two in this set. If Mega Gengar is your favourite, the main set version is the one to find.

Reading a card number

Every card shows its collector number and the set total near the bottom. A card marked 013/094 sits inside the main set, while anything like 125/094, where the first number is higher than the total, is a secret rare. Checking that number is the quickest way to tell whether a pull from a Pokémon Phantasmal Flames pack is one of the 36 extra cards collectors hope to find.

Phantasmal Flames Chase Cards

Every set has a handful of cards that drive demand, and the Phantasmal Flames chase cards sit right at the top of the secret rare range. The Pokémon Company does not publish official pull rates, so treat any odds you see online as community estimates rather than fact.

Mega Charizard X ex Mega Hyper Rare (130/094)

The Mega Hyper Rare is the highest rarity tier in the set, a gold-etched version of the headline Mega. Here it is Mega Charizard X ex, illustrated by takuyoa, and it is the card many collectors open packs hoping to see. Charizard’s long history in the hobby makes this one a standout.

The five Special Illustration Rares

Special Illustration Rares (SIRs) feature full-scene artwork that often tells a small story, showing the Pokémon or Trainer in their world rather than against a plain background. They sit just below the Mega Hyper Rare in the numbering and are among the cards collectors most like to display. This set has five:

• Mega Charizard X ex (125), illustrated by danciao
• Rotom ex (126)
• Mega Sharpedo ex (127)
• Mega Lopunny ex (128)
• Dawn (129), a Supporter card

Between the SIR and the Mega Hyper Rare, plus the full-art Ultra Rare at 109, Charizard fans have three premium versions of Mega Charizard X ex to chase, along with the regular Double Rare at 013. Collecting all four makes a neat single-row display in a binder page.

Illustration Rares worth a look

The 13 Illustration Rares (095 to 107) are a favourite with binder collectors because they show familiar Pokémon in detailed, full-card scenes. The line-up covers Ludicolo, Nymble, Dewgong, Piplup, Yamper, Zacian, Flygon, Paldean Wooper, Toxtricity, Togedemaru, Wigglytuff, Meowth and Ambipom. Completing this row is a rewarding mid-range project, and the cards look great displayed together in a nine-pocket page.

Ultra Rares and Full-Art Trainers

The 17 Ultra Rares (108 to 124) include full-art versions of eight Pokémon ex and nine Trainer and Energy cards. On the Pokémon side you get Mega Heracross ex, Mega Charizard X ex, Oricorio ex, Rotom ex, Mismagius ex, Mega Sharpedo ex, Empoleon ex and Mega Lopunny ex.

The Trainer and Energy full arts are Battle Cage, Blowtorch, Dawn, Firebreather, Grimsley’s Move, Punk Helmet, Sacred Charm, Switch and Ignition Energy. These suit players who like to “bling” their decks with full-art versions of the cards they actually use.

Dawn is the one most players will recognise as useful. The Supporter lets you search your deck for a Basic Pokémon, a Stage 1 Pokémon and a Stage 2 Pokémon, reveal them and put them into your hand, then shuffle your deck. For any evolution deck, that is a strong way to set up, which is why her Ultra Rare and Special Illustration Rare versions appeal to both players and collectors.

The Sealed Product Line-Up

Each booster pack contains 10 cards and one Basic Energy, according to The Pokémon Company’s product breakdown. The pack artwork rotates between Mega Charizard X, Mega Gengar, Mega Heracross and Mega Lopunny. Here is what is in each core product:

• Booster display box: 36 booster packs. The Phantasmal Flames booster box gives you the most packs of any single box.
• Elite Trainer Box: nine booster packs, a full-art Charcadet promo card, 65 card sleeves, 40 Energy cards, a player’s guide, damage-counter dice, a coin-flip die, a plastic coin, a collector’s box and a Pokémon TCG Live code card.
• Booster Bundle: six booster packs in one compact package.
• Build & Battle Box: a 40-card deck ready for the Prerelease format, one of four foil promo cards and four booster packs.
• Other releases: three-pack blisters and the Mega Charizard X ex Ultra-Premium Collection, which arrived alongside the set.

A separate Pokémon Center edition of the Elite Trainer Box carried 11 packs and two Charcadet promos, one with a Pokémon Center logo. The standard Phantasmal Flames ETB, with nine packs and one promo, is the version most Australian collectors will be buying.

Which Phantasmal Flames Product Suits You?

Each format suits a different kind of buyer, and the right one depends on whether you care most about pack count, accessories or keeping things small. The table below compares the three main Phantasmal Flames options side by side, using the contents listed by The Pokémon Company:

Product	Booster packs	Extras	Best for
Booster display box	36	None	Opening in bulk, chasing secret rares, sharing a break with friends
Elite Trainer Box	9	Charcadet promo, 65 sleeves, 40 Energy, dice, storage box	Players and gift buyers who want accessories
Booster Bundle	6	None	A smaller opening session or a top-up to an existing collection

Choose the booster box if you want volume

With 36 packs, the Phantasmal Flames Booster Box gives you the best chance of building a large part of the main set in one go and of seeing several secret rares along the way. Some collectors also keep one sealed for display. Compare it with other sets in our English Pokémon Booster Boxes range.

Choose the ETB if you want a complete package

The Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box is the most well-rounded option. The sleeves, Energy cards and dice mean a new player can open packs and start building a deck straight away, and the sturdy box doubles as storage. The full-art Charcadet promo is a nice bonus for collectors too. Browse more in Pokémon Elite Trainer Boxes.

Choose the booster bundle for a lighter opening

The Phantasmal Flames Booster Bundle keeps things simple: six packs, no extras. It suits collectors who already own sleeves and dice, or anyone who wants a fun opening without a large commitment. See the full range of Pokémon Booster Bundles for other sets.

Sealed Cases for Dedicated Collectors

If you want to stock up or keep multiple boxes sealed, sealed cases are the next step up. The Phantasmal Flames Booster Box Sealed Case contains six booster boxes, while the Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box Case holds ten ETBs in their original factory packaging.

Cases appeal to collectors who want untouched product for long-term display, to groups who like to split a large opening, and to players who want a stack of ETBs for gifts. Our English Pokémon Sealed Cases category shows every case currently listed.

For a broader look at how booster boxes compare across languages and eras, read our Pokémon booster box buying guide before you commit to a case. It covers how pack counts differ between languages, how sealed cases work and how to store boxes safely at home.

Is Phantasmal Flames Still Worth Opening in 2026?

Almost a year after release, Phantasmal Flames is still the home set of Mega Charizard X ex, which makes it an easy pick for Charizard fans. The series has added a special set and several new main expansions since then, each with its own headline Megas, so this set keeps a clear identity of its own.

For players, the Fire and Darkness cards still give you plenty to experiment with, from Mega Charizard X ex and Mega Gengar ex to Trainers like Dawn. For collectors, the 13 Illustration Rares and five Special Illustration Rares make a satisfying, achievable binder goal. We do not offer predictions on future card values, so buy the product you will enjoy opening or keeping.

If you are deciding between this set and a newer one, think about which headline Pokémon you love most. Fans of Mega Zygarde ex may lean towards Perfect Order, while Greninja fans will want to look at Chaos Rising. The Phantasmal Flames card list is the clear pick for anyone who wants Mega Charizard X ex.

Tips for Collecting Pokémon Phantasmal Flames in Australia

A little planning goes a long way, especially with a set that has 36 secret rares and several product formats. Whether you are opening a single bundle or a full case, these habits help you get the most out of every pack and keep your best Phantasmal Flames pulls in top condition:

1. Sleeve your hits straight away. Put secret rares into a penny sleeve and top loader as soon as you pull them, as premium cards scratch easily.
2. Track your binder by number. Print a checklist from 001 to 130 and tick cards off as you go. It makes trading much easier.
3. Store sealed product carefully. Australian summers bring heat and humidity, so keep boxes out of direct sunlight and away from damp areas to protect the shrink wrap and packs.
4. Check official sources. Card details and Standard format legality can change over time, so confirm them with The Pokémon Company or a trusted reference before a tournament.
5. Decide your goal first. Chasing the Mega Hyper Rare, completing the Illustration Rares and building a deck each suit a different product.

Tip: If you mainly want the Illustration Rares, opening a mix of booster bundles over several weeks can be more fun than a single big session, and it gives you time to trade with friends for the cards you are missing.

Phantasmal Flames FAQ

When was Phantasmal Flames released in Australia?

Phantasmal Flames launched in Australia on 14 November 2025, at the same time as the US, Canada and New Zealand. Prerelease events at local game stores started on 1 November 2025, and the set arrived in Pokémon TCG Live on 13 November 2025.

How many cards are in Phantasmal Flames?

There are 130 cards in total: 94 in the main set and 36 secret rares. The secret rares are 13 Illustration Rares, 17 Ultra Rares, five Special Illustration Rares and one Mega Hyper Rare. Once you add reverse holo versions of the main set, a full Phantasmal Flames master set is considerably larger.

What is the top chase card in Phantasmal Flames?

The Mega Hyper Rare Mega Charizard X ex (130/094) is the highest rarity in the set. The Special Illustration Rare Mega Charizard X ex (125/094) and the Dawn Special Illustration Rare are also popular pulls, and Mega Charizard X ex has a full-art Ultra Rare at 109/094 as well.

How many packs come in a Phantasmal Flames display box?

A booster display box contains 36 packs, and each pack holds 10 cards plus a Basic Energy. The Elite Trainer Box has nine packs and the Booster Bundle has six. If you want accessories as well as packs, the ETB is the better fit.

What is the Japanese version of Phantasmal Flames?

Most of the cards come from the Japanese Inferno X expansion, released on 26 September 2025. A few cards come from the Japanese MEGA Starter Sets for Mega Gengar ex and Mega Diancie ex. Inferno X uses its own card numbering, so English and Japanese versions are collected as separate sets.

Is Phantasmal Flames good for beginners?

Yes. The Elite Trainer Box is a friendly starting point because it includes sleeves, Energy cards and dice along with nine packs. The Build & Battle Box is another easy entry, as it comes with a ready-to-play 40-card deck. Both include enough to start playing Phantasmal Flames cards straight away.

Ready to open some packs? Browse the Phantasmal Flames Booster Box, the Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box and the rest of our English Pokémon Booster Boxes. Every product is 100% authentic, officially licensed and priced in Australian dollars, and we ship Australia-wide. For card details, see the Bulbapedia set page or The Pokémon Company’s release announcement. Find more set guides on the Ozzie Collectables blog, and if you have questions, contact us.