The Pokémon Pitch Black card list has 120 cards: 84 in the main set and 36 secret rares. Released in July 2026 as the fifth main expansion of the Mega Evolution series, Pitch Black is led by Mega Darkrai ex, making its first appearance in the trading card game. This guide explains how the card list works, ranks the Pitch Black chase cards and helps you choose a product.
Following the whole series? Our Chaos Rising card list covers the set before Pitch Black, and our Pokémon Delta Reign guide covers the set after it.
Pitch Black at a glance
| Detail | Pitch Black |
|---|---|
| Series | Mega Evolution |
| Set code | ME05 (printed PBL) |
| Prerelease events | 4 to 12 July 2026 |
| Release date | 17 July 2026 |
| Total cards | 120 |
| Main set | 84 cards |
| Secret rares | 36 |
| Headline card | Mega Darkrai ex |
| Japanese base set | Abyss Eye (M5) |
Pitch Black release date
The Pitch Black release date was 17 July 2026, worldwide. Prerelease events ran at Play! Pokémon stores from 4 to 12 July, using the Build and Battle Box.
The set is the English version of the Japanese expansion Abyss Eye. Unlike some Mega Evolution sets, the English card list follows the Japanese line-up closely, so collectors knew most of the chase cards well before launch.
How the Pokémon Pitch Black card list works
Cards 001 to 084 make up the main set, and cards 085 to 120 are secret rares. The official line-up includes six Mega Evolution Pokémon ex, four other Pokémon ex and more than 20 Trainer cards.
| Rarity | Cards |
|---|---|
| Double Rare | 10 |
| Illustration Rare | 11 |
| Ultra Rare | 18 |
| Special Illustration Rare | 6 |
| Mega Hyper Rare | 1 |
With 84 main cards, Pitch Black is one of the smaller main sets of the era, which makes the full set a realistic goal for most collectors. The difficulty is all at the top, with six Special Illustration Rares and a single gold card.
The Mega Pokémon ex in Pitch Black
Pitch Black has a dark, night-time theme, and its Mega Pokémon ex reflect that. The headline is Mega Darkrai ex, joined by Mega Zeraora ex and Mega Chandelure ex among the six Megas in the set.
- Mega Darkrai ex: the cover star and the top chase card, appearing as a Double Rare, an Ultra Rare, a Special Illustration Rare and the gold Mega Hyper Rare.
- Mega Zeraora ex: a Lightning Mega with a striking Special Illustration Rare.
- Mega Chandelure ex: a Psychic Mega with one of the most atmospheric cards in the set.
For players, Mega Pokémon ex give up three Prize cards when knocked out, so they are powerful but risky. For collectors, they get the most dramatic artwork in the set.
Pitch Black chase cards
These are the Pitch Black chase cards collectors look for first:
1. Mega Darkrai ex Special Illustration Rare (116/084)
The most valuable card in the set. Darkrai has always been a collector favourite, and its first Mega form has given it one of the best cards of the Mega Evolution era.
2. Mega Darkrai ex Mega Hyper Rare (120/084)
The gold version and the last card in the card list. It is the hardest card to pull, but as in several recent English sets, the Special Illustration Rare has proved more popular.
3. Morpeko ex Special Illustration Rare (117/084)
The surprise of the set. Morpeko, the Electric and Dark Pokémon from Galar, has charming artwork that has made it a strong number three.
4. Mega Zeraora ex Special Illustration Rare (114/084)
Illustrated by GIDORA, the artist behind the famous Surging Sparks Pikachu ex. A great pick for fans of the Mythical Pokémon.
5. Mega Chandelure ex Special Illustration Rare (115/084)
An eerie, glowing card that fits the Pitch Black theme perfectly.
6. Gwynn and Gladion’s Final Battle
The two Trainer Special Illustration Rares, numbered 119 and 118. Gwynn is the more popular of the two, and both are favourites with collectors of character art.
Illustration Rares worth pulling
The 11 Illustration Rares are the easiest secret rares to find, and several have been very popular. Goldeen and Slowbro are two of the stand-outs and among the most wanted Illustration Rares in the set. Completing all 11 is a realistic goal and a great way to enjoy the set without chasing the gold card.
What is in a Pitch Black booster pack?
Each English Pitch Black booster pack contains 10 game cards, a Basic Energy and a code card for Pokémon TCG Live. Most of the cards are commons and uncommons, with a rare or better in every pack and a reverse holo slot that can be replaced by a secret rare.
The Pokémon Company does not publish pull rates. Any single Special Illustration Rare is rare enough that most collectors finish the set with singles, and the gold Mega Darkrai ex is rarer still.
Japanese and English Pitch Black
The Japanese set Abyss Eye came out before Pitch Black and shares its artwork. Japanese packs are smaller, with 5 cards each, and the numbering is different, so keep the two languages in separate binders. Because the English list follows the Japanese one so closely, Japanese prices gave collectors a good early idea of which Pitch Black chase cards would be most wanted.
If you want to compare, browse our Japanese Pokémon cards range.
Pitch Black for players
Pitch Black is a useful set for players too. Gwynn lets you discard up to two Pokémon without a rule box to draw up to six cards, which makes it a strong Supporter in many decks, and the six Mega Pokémon ex give new options across several types. The Build and Battle Box is a simple way to start playing with the set.
Pitch Black products
| Product | Packs | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Build and Battle Box | 4 | A 40-card deck plus a promo, ideal for new players |
| Booster Bundle | 6 | Simple pack opening |
| Elite Trainer Box | 9 | Packs plus sleeves, dice and storage |
| Booster Box | 36 | The most packs and the best chance at chase cards |
Which Pitch Black product should you buy?
- For the most packs: the Pitch Black Booster Box gives you 36 packs and the best chance at Mega Darkrai ex.
- For a gift: the Elite Trainer Box includes accessories a new collector will use.
- For new players: the Build and Battle Box includes a ready-made deck to learn with.
- For a smaller spend: the Booster Bundle gives you six packs.
How big is a Pitch Black master set?
A master set includes every card plus the reverse holo version of the main-set cards. With 84 main cards, a Pitch Black master set comes to roughly 200 cards, one of the most achievable master sets of the Mega Evolution era. Secret rares do not have reverse holo versions.
Pitch Black chase cards compared with other sets
Pitch Black follows the standard Mega Evolution rarity ladder: 11 Illustration Rares, 18 Ultra Rares, six Special Illustration Rares and one gold card. Like Chaos Rising, its top two cards are both versions of the headline Pokémon. The difference is that the Pitch Black chase cards include a surprise in Morpeko ex, which shows how a well-loved artwork can beat bigger names.
If you are comparing sets, our Perfect Order card list has a similar size and a similarly varied chase list.
Tips for collecting the Pokémon Pitch Black card list
- Use a 9-pocket binder. Ten pages hold the main set, with more for the 36 secret rares.
- Sleeve every hit. Put Illustration Rares and above into a penny sleeve and top loader straight away.
- Track by number. Anything above 084 is a secret rare, and 114 to 119 are the Special Illustration Rares.
- Buy singles for the top card. Mega Darkrai ex is very hard to pull, so buying it is usually cheaper.
Is Pitch Black worth collecting?
Yes. Pitch Black has a strong theme, a manageable card list and one of the best Darkrai cards ever printed. It also has plenty of variety, from Mega Pokémon to Morpeko and two excellent Trainer cards. It is a great set for both new and experienced collectors.
Browse every English set in our English Pokémon cards range, compare boxes in English booster boxes, or see upcoming releases on our pre-orders page.
Pokémon Pitch Black card list FAQs
How many cards are in Pitch Black?
There are 120 cards: 84 in the main set and 36 secret rares.
When was Pitch Black released?
Pitch Black was released on 17 July 2026, with prerelease events from 4 to 12 July.
What is the best card in Pitch Black?
The Mega Darkrai ex Special Illustration Rare, 116/084, is the top chase card.
What Japanese set is Pitch Black based on?
Abyss Eye, the fifth main Japanese set of the Mega Evolution era.
Where can I see the official card list?
The Pokémon Company publishes set details on the official Pokémon TCG website.
