The Ascended Heroes card list is the biggest in the history of the English Pokémon TCG, with 295 cards: 217 in the main set and 78 secret rares. Released in January 2026 as a special set in the Mega Evolution series, it is themed around Pokémon Legends: Z-A and introduced a brand-new rarity, the Mega Attack Rare. This guide explains how the card list works, which cards collectors chase and which products to open.
Collecting the main sets as well? See our Phantasmal Flames card list for the set before it and our Pokémon Delta Reign guide for the newest Mega Evolution expansion.
Ascended Heroes at a glance
| Detail | Ascended Heroes |
|---|---|
| Series | Mega Evolution (special set) |
| Set code | ME2.5 (printed ASC) |
| Release date | 30 January 2026 |
| Total cards | 295 |
| Main set | 217 cards |
| Secret rares | 78 |
| New rarity | Mega Attack Rare |
| Japanese base set | MEGA Dream ex (M2a) |
Ascended Heroes release date
The Ascended Heroes release date was 30 January 2026, the first Pokémon release of the year. It launched on the same day in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese.
Not every product arrived at once. The Elite Trainer Box followed on 20 February 2026, three weeks after the first products. Because Ascended Heroes is a special set aimed at collectors, there were no prerelease events and no standard booster boxes.
In Japan, the same cards came out earlier as MEGA Dream ex, a High Class Pack released on 28 November 2025. High Class Packs are premium Japanese sets packed with rare cards, which explains why the English version has so many secret rares.
How the Ascended Heroes card list works
The main set runs from 001 to 217. Anything numbered 218 and above is a secret rare, so a card such as 284/217 is instantly recognisable as a big hit. The Ascended Heroes card list breaks down like this:
| Rarity | Cards |
|---|---|
| Double Rare | 39 |
| Ultra Rare | 14 |
| Illustration Rare | 33 |
| Special Illustration Rare | 22 |
| Mega Attack Rare | 7 |
| Mega Hyper Rare | 2 |
The rest of the main set is made up of commons, uncommons and rares. With 22 Special Illustration Rares and 33 Illustration Rares, Ascended Heroes has more full-art cards than any other English set, which is a big part of its appeal.
What is a Mega Attack Rare?
Ascended Heroes introduced the Mega Attack Rare, a new rarity for Mega Pokémon ex. These cards show the Pokémon mid-attack in a dramatic, action-focused design. There are seven of them in the set, and they quickly became a popular mini-collection of their own.
Mega Attack Rares sit among the secret rares, so you will find them numbered above 217. They are easier to pull than Special Illustration Rares, which makes them a fun goal if you are opening a few packs rather than a large amount of product.
Ascended Heroes chase cards
With 78 secret rares there is plenty to chase. These are the Ascended Heroes chase cards collectors look for first:
1. Mega Gengar ex Special Illustration Rare (284/217)
The headline card of the set and the most valuable card of the whole Mega Evolution block so far. Mega Gengar ex is one of the most loved Pokémon in the hobby, and its Special Illustration Rare has been the clear number one since launch.
2. Mega Charizard Y ex Mega Hyper Rare
One of the two gold Mega Hyper Rares in the set. Phantasmal Flames had the gold Mega Charizard X ex, so this card completes the pair for Charizard collectors.
3. Mega Dragonite ex Special Illustration Rare and Mega Hyper Rare
Mega Dragonite ex is the other gold card, and it also has a Special Illustration Rare. Mega Dragonite was one of the new Mega Evolutions introduced in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, which adds to the demand.
4. Pikachu Special Illustration Rare
Pikachu cards are always in demand, and its Special Illustration Rare is one of the most popular non-Mega cards in the set.
5. Steven’s Metagross ex and the Trainer’s Pokémon cards
Steven’s Metagross ex is another favourite, especially with Hoenn fans. Trainer’s Pokémon cards, which pair a Pokémon with its trainer, are among the most collected cards of recent years.
Why Ascended Heroes is so large
Most English sets combine one Japanese set with a few extra cards. Ascended Heroes took a High Class Pack, which is already packed with rare cards, and built a full main set around it. The result is a card list of 295 cards, larger than any main English expansion.
That size has two sides. There are more chase cards than ever, but completing a master set takes a lot longer. If you are new to the set, it is worth choosing a goal, such as the Mega Attack Rares or every Special Illustration Rare, rather than trying to collect everything at once.
How big is an Ascended Heroes master set?
A master set includes every card plus the reverse holo version of every common, uncommon, rare and Double Rare. With 217 main-set cards that adds up to at least 512 cards, and more if you also collect the special reverse holo patterns found in some products. Secret rares do not have reverse holo versions.
Ascended Heroes and Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Ascended Heroes is themed around Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the game that brought Mega Evolution back and introduced new Mega Evolutions such as Mega Dragonite. That is why so many of the set’s biggest cards are Mega Pokémon ex, and why characters and Pokémon from Lumiose City appear across the card list.
If you have played the game, the Ascended Heroes card list is a great way to collect the Pokémon you met there, from the starters to the new Megas.
Ascended Heroes chase cards compared with other sets
Most main sets have five or six Special Illustration Rares. Ascended Heroes has 22, plus two gold Mega Hyper Rares and seven Mega Attack Rares. That means the Ascended Heroes chase cards are spread across far more Pokémon than usual, and even a modest number of packs gives you a real chance at a full-art hit.
The trade-off is that any single Special Illustration Rare is harder to find, because there are so many of them sharing the same slot in the pack. If you want one specific card, such as Mega Gengar ex, buying it as a single is usually the most reliable route.
Ascended Heroes products
| Product | Good for |
|---|---|
| 2-Pack Blister | A small first look at the set |
| 3-Pack Blister | A gift with a promo card |
| Mini Tin | Packs in a collectable tin |
| 6-Pack Booster Bundle | The simplest way to open more packs |
| Mega EX Box | Packs plus a Mega Pokémon ex promo |
| Pin Collection | Packs plus a collectable pin |
| Elite Trainer Box | Packs plus sleeves, dice and storage |
| Premium Poster Collection | Packs plus a poster |
| Focused Fighters Premium Collection Box | A larger premium collection |
Special sets do not come in standard booster boxes, so the Booster Bundle and the Elite Trainer Box are the most popular ways to open a larger number of packs.
Which Ascended Heroes product should you buy?
- For the most packs: the Booster Bundle is the best value per pack.
- For a gift: the Elite Trainer Box or a Mini Tin look great and include extras.
- For a guaranteed promo: the Mega EX Box includes a Mega Pokémon ex promo card.
- For collectors: the Focused Fighters Premium Collection and Premium Poster Collection add display pieces.
Tips for collecting the Ascended Heroes card list
- Use a large binder. The main set alone needs 25 pages of a 9-pocket binder.
- Sleeve every secret rare. With so many full-art cards, have plenty of penny sleeves and top loaders ready.
- Collect in groups. Mega Attack Rares, Trainer’s Pokémon and Special Illustration Rares all make satisfying smaller goals.
- Buy singles for the top cards. The Mega Gengar ex and gold cards are rare, so buying the one you want is often cheaper than opening for it.
Is Ascended Heroes worth collecting?
Yes. Ascended Heroes is the largest and one of the most rare-heavy sets the Pokémon TCG has produced, with the most valuable card of the Mega Evolution era and a new rarity to collect. It also covers a huge range of Pokémon, so almost every fan will find a favourite.
Browse every English set in our English Pokémon cards range, compare sets in English booster packs, or see upcoming releases on our pre-orders page.
Ascended Heroes card list FAQs
How many cards are in Ascended Heroes?
There are 295 cards: 217 in the main set and 78 secret rares. It is the largest English Pokémon set ever.
What is the Ascended Heroes release date?
Ascended Heroes was released on 30 January 2026. The Elite Trainer Box followed on 20 February 2026.
What is the best card in Ascended Heroes?
The Mega Gengar ex Special Illustration Rare, 284/217, is the top chase card.
Is there an Ascended Heroes booster box?
No. As a special set, Ascended Heroes does not have a standard booster box. Booster Bundles and Elite Trainer Boxes are the main ways to buy multiple packs.
Where can I see the official card list?
The Pokémon Company publishes set details on the official Pokémon TCG website.
