Ascended Heroes Card List: The Chase Cards Worth Pulling

Pokémon guide

Ascended Heroes is a big set. Not “quite large” big, properly big: 295 cards, which makes it the largest English Pokémon expansion so far. So if you’ve been hunting for an Ascended Heroes card list that tells you what’s actually worth chasing, you’re in the right place.

We’ve pulled together the set basics, the cards collectors want most and a few tips for opening it without losing your mind (or your budget).

Ascended Heroes at a glance

Ascended Heroes is a special set in the Mega Evolution era, and Mega Dragonite ex is the face of it. It released in English on 30 January 2026, with the Elite Trainer Box following on 20 February 2026.

• Set size: 295 cards, made up of 217 in the main set and 78 secret rares.
• Lead Pokémon: Mega Dragonite ex.
• Japanese equivalent: MEGA Dream ex, plus cards from the Start Deck 100 Battle Collection.
• Elite Trainer Box promo: N’s Zekrom.

Those 78 secret rares are why people keep asking for the Ascended Heroes card list. That’s a lot of very shiny cards to keep track of.

The Ascended Heroes chase cards

Here are the cards from the Ascended Heroes card list that collectors are chasing hardest, based on current market interest. Prices move a lot, so we’ve left them out, but the order gives you a good idea of what’s most wanted.

Mega Gengar ex (284/217)

The Special Illustration Rare of Mega Gengar ex has been the standout of the set. Gengar is always popular, and this artwork leans right into it.

Pikachu ex (276/217 and 277/217)

There are two Pikachu ex Special Illustration Rares, and both are in high demand. Pikachu sells, it always has, and having two versions only adds to the hunt.

Mega Dragonite ex (290/217)

The set’s mascot gets its own Special Illustration Rare, and it’s the card many collectors want as the centrepiece of their binder page.

Mega Charizard Y ex (294/217)

This is the Mega Hyper Rare. Charizard plus the top rarity in the set is a combination that’s never going to be ignored.

Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex (281/217)

Team Rocket fans will want this Special Illustration Rare. It’s a nice link back to the Destined Rivals era too.

How to use the Ascended Heroes card list

With a set this big, a plan helps. Here’s how we’d approach it.

• Decide what “complete” means for you. The 217-card main set is very achievable. The full 295, including secret rares, is a serious project.
• Tick off as you open. Keep the Ascended Heroes card list open on your phone and mark cards as you pull them. You’ll thank yourself later.
• Buy singles for the last few. Chasing the final secret rares in packs gets expensive fast. Singles are almost always cheaper.
• Sleeve every secret rare straight away. They scratch easily, and a scratched Mega Gengar is a sad sight.

Rarities on the Ascended Heroes card list

If you’re newer to the Mega Evolution era, the rarity names on the Ascended Heroes card list can be a bit confusing. Here’s a plain-English version.

• Illustration Rare: full-art cards of regular Pokémon, usually with a scene or background story.
• Special Illustration Rare: the big full-art chase cards, often of Pokémon ex or Trainers. Most of the cards above sit here.
• Mega Hyper Rare: the top rarity of the era, with a gold, textured finish. Mega Charizard Y ex is the one in this set.

Anything numbered higher than 217 on the Ascended Heroes card list is a secret rare, so that’s an easy way to spot something special as you open your packs.

One more tip: if a card number looks wrong, check the set symbol before you panic. Mixed products sometimes include packs from other sets, and it’s easy to file a card in the wrong binder.

Which product should you open?

Ascended Heroes is a special set, so there’s no standard English booster box. You’ll find it in Elite Trainer Boxes, booster bundles, tins and collections instead.

Elite Trainer Box

The Elite Trainer Box is our pick for most people. You get packs, the N’s Zekrom promo and all the accessories, and the box is great for storing your pulls.

Booster bundle

The booster bundle is the simplest way to open packs without paying for extras. Ideal if you already have sleeves and dice.

Mega ex box and mini tins

The Mega ex box and mini tins make good gifts and stocking fillers, with a promo or a couple of packs at a lower price.

Japanese MEGA Dream ex

If you prefer Japanese cards, the Japanese MEGA Dream ex booster box is the set many of these cards first appeared in.

Is Ascended Heroes worth collecting?

If you love Mega Pokémon, yes. Just reading through the Ascended Heroes card list shows how much variety there is. The artwork is strong, there’s a huge range of chase cards and the set feels like a celebration of the Mega Evolution era. Our honest caveat is the size. It’s a long-term project, not something you’ll finish over a weekend.

If you’d rather start with something smaller, our guide to Delta Reign covers a more manageable main expansion from the same era.

Frequently asked questions

How many cards are in Ascended Heroes?

The Ascended Heroes card list has 295 cards: 217 in the main set and 78 secret rares.

When did Ascended Heroes come out?

It released in English on 30 January 2026, with the Elite Trainer Box on 20 February 2026.

What is the rarest card?

The Mega Charizard Y ex Mega Hyper Rare is the top rarity, though Mega Gengar ex has been the most wanted card.

For the full official product range, see the TCGplayer Ascended Heroes quick facts. Browse more guides on the TCG blog.