The Phantasmal Flames card list has 130 cards: 94 in the main set and 36 secret rares. Released in November 2025 as the second main expansion of the Mega Evolution series, Phantasmal Flames is built around Mega Charizard X ex, which appears three times as a rare card. This guide explains how the card list is put together, which cards collectors chase and which product to open.
Collecting the newer sets too? Our Pokémon Delta Reign guide covers the sixth main Mega Evolution set, released in November 2026.
Phantasmal Flames at a glance
| Detail | Phantasmal Flames |
|---|---|
| Series | Mega Evolution |
| Set code | ME02 (printed PFL) |
| Release date | 14 November 2025 |
| Total cards | 130 |
| Main set | 94 cards |
| Secret rares | 36 |
| Headline card | Mega Charizard X ex |
| Japanese base set | Inferno X |
Phantasmal Flames release date
The Phantasmal Flames release date was 14 November 2025. It followed the first Mega Evolution set by around two months and was the main English release of that winter.
The set is the English version of the Japanese expansion Inferno X, combined with cards from the Mega Gengar ex and Mega Diancie ex Starter Sets. That mix is why the English card list contains a few Mega Pokémon that were not in the Japanese booster set.
How the Phantasmal Flames card list works
The main set runs from 001 to 094. Anything numbered 095 and above is a secret rare, so a card like 125/094 is easy to spot as a hit. The official breakdown of the set includes:
- 6 Mega Evolution Pokémon ex: Mega Charizard X, Mega Gengar, Mega Diancie, Mega Lopunny, Mega Heracross and Mega Sharpedo.
- 4 other Pokémon ex, including Rotom ex and Empoleon ex.
- 13 Illustration Rares: full-art scenes of single Pokémon, including a popular Piplup.
- 17 Ultra Rares: full-art Mega Pokémon ex, Trainer and Energy cards.
- 5 Special Illustration Rares: four Pokémon ex and one Supporter.
- 1 Mega Hyper Rare: the gold Mega Charizard X ex.
At 94 main cards, the Phantasmal Flames card list is one of the smallest for a main English set in recent years, which makes the master set more achievable than most.
The Phantasmal Flames secret rares
| Rarity | Cards | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Illustration Rare | 13 | Piplup and other single-Pokémon scenes |
| Ultra Rare | 17 | Mega Charizard X ex 109/094, Ignition Energy 124/094 |
| Special Illustration Rare | 5 | Mega Charizard X ex, Rotom ex, Mega Sharpedo ex, Mega Lopunny ex, Dawn |
| Mega Hyper Rare | 1 | Mega Charizard X ex 130/094 |
Phantasmal Flames chase cards
These are the Phantasmal Flames chase cards collectors look for first, in rough order of demand:
1. Mega Charizard X ex Special Illustration Rare (125/094)
The most wanted card in the set by a wide margin. The artwork by danciao shows the blue-flamed Charizard in full scene, and it has stayed the set’s top card since launch.
2. Mega Charizard X ex Mega Hyper Rare (130/094)
The gold version, by takuyoa, with the whole card in etched line work. It is the rarest card to pull, even though the Special Illustration Rare has proved more popular.
3. Mega Charizard X ex Ultra Rare (109/094)
The most attainable of the three rare Charizard cards, and a good choice if you want a striking Charizard without chasing the top two.
4. Dawn Special Illustration Rare (129/094)
The only Trainer among the Special Illustration Rares. Dawn’s partner Piplup also has an Illustration Rare in the set, so many collectors pair the two.
5. Mega Sharpedo ex, Mega Lopunny ex and Rotom ex
The remaining Special Illustration Rares, numbered 126 to 128. They are usually more affordable than the Charizard cards, which makes them good targets when you are completing the set.
The three rare Mega Charizard X ex cards
Mega Charizard X ex appears four times in total. The standard Double Rare is 013/094, and the three secret versions are the Ultra Rare (109), the Special Illustration Rare (125) and the gold Mega Hyper Rare (130). All four share the same attack, so for players the cheapest version does exactly the same job.
If you are a Charizard collector, it is worth deciding early which version you want. Chasing all three rare versions from packs is expensive, and buying the one you want most as a single is often the better plan.
Mega Gengar ex and the other Mega Pokémon
Mega Gengar ex and Mega Diancie ex came from the Japanese Starter Sets, and neither has a Special Illustration Rare in this set. Even so, Mega Gengar ex is one of the most popular cards in the set for players, and Mega Heracross ex rounds out the six Mega Pokémon.
Phantasmal Flames card list by card type
Looking at the Phantasmal Flames card list by type helps if you are building decks as well as collecting. The main set mixes Pokémon, Trainer and Energy cards, with Ignition Energy among the special Energy cards and a group of new Supporters led by Dawn.
- Fire: Mega Charizard X ex, the most popular card in the set.
- Lightning: Rotom ex, one of the four Pokémon ex that are not Mega Evolutions.
- Darkness and Colorless: Mega Sharpedo ex and Mega Lopunny ex.
- Trainers: Supporters, Items and Tools, with Dawn as the stand-out Supporter.
If you collect by type, the Illustration Rares are a good place to start. They are easier to pull than the Special Illustration Rares and cover a wide range of Pokémon.
Phantasmal Flames chase cards vs the rest of the Mega Evolution series
Compared with later Mega Evolution sets, Phantasmal Flames has fewer Special Illustration Rares, with five rather than six. That makes each one slightly easier to find, but it also means the Phantasmal Flames chase cards are dominated by a single Pokémon. If you do not collect Charizard, the Dawn and Mega Lopunny ex cards are the ones to aim for.
The gold Mega Hyper Rare tier works the same way across the series, with one gold card per set. Our Delta Reign chase cards guide shows how the same rarity ladder works in the newest set.
Phantasmal Flames products
| Product | Packs | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Checklane Blister | 1 | A single pack and a quick look at the set |
| 3-Pack Blister | 3 | A small gift with a promo card |
| Booster Bundle | 6 | Simple pack opening |
| Elite Trainer Box | 9 | Packs plus sleeves, dice and storage |
| Booster Box (18 packs) | 18 | A half-size box |
| Booster Box (36 packs) | 36 | The most packs and the best chance at chase cards |
| Mini Portfolio | 1 | Binder storage for your favourite pulls |
For the best chance at the top cards, the 36-pack booster box gives you the most packs. For a gift, the Elite Trainer Box adds accessories that new collectors will use.
How big is a Phantasmal Flames master set?
A master set includes every card plus every reverse holo. Commons, uncommons, rares and Double Rares in the main set each have a reverse holo version, while secret rares do not. That gives a Phantasmal Flames master set of 224 cards: the 130 cards in the set plus 94 reverse holos.
Because the main set is small, the reverse holos are easier to finish than in larger sets. The secret rares are the hard part, especially the five Special Illustration Rares and the gold card.
Tips for collecting the Phantasmal Flames card list
- Use a 9-pocket binder. Eleven pages hold the main set, with more for secret rares and reverse holos.
- Sleeve every hit. Put Illustration Rares and above into a penny sleeve and top loader as soon as they leave the pack.
- Track by number. Tick cards off against 001 to 094, then 095 to 130 for the secret rares.
- Trade duplicates. With a small set, you will pull duplicates quickly, and they are useful for swapping with friends.
Is Phantasmal Flames worth collecting?
Yes, especially if you love Charizard or Mega Evolution. The set has one of the most popular Charizard cards of the era, a small card list that is easy to complete and a good spread of products at different prices. Single card prices have also settled since launch, so finishing the set now is far more affordable than it was in the first weeks.
Browse every English set in our English Pokémon cards range, compare boxes in English booster boxes, or see what is coming next on our pre-orders page.
Phantasmal Flames card list FAQs
How many cards are in Phantasmal Flames?
There are 130 cards: 94 in the main set and 36 secret rares.
What is the Phantasmal Flames release date?
Phantasmal Flames was released on 14 November 2025.
What is the best card in Phantasmal Flames?
The Mega Charizard X ex Special Illustration Rare, 125/094, is the top chase card, followed by the gold Mega Hyper Rare.
What Japanese set is Phantasmal Flames based on?
Inferno X, combined with cards from the Mega Gengar ex and Mega Diancie ex Starter Sets.
Where can I see the official card list?
The Pokémon Company publishes set details on the official Pokémon TCG website.
