Pitch Black Card List: Mega Darkrai ex and the Chase Cards

Pokémon guide

Mega Darkrai ex is the star of Pitch Black, and judging by our inbox, everybody wants to know what else is in it. So here’s a clear, no-nonsense Pitch Black card list guide: the set basics, the chase cards and our tips for opening it.

It’s a moody, dark-themed set, and it’s one of the better-looking expansions of the Mega Evolution era so far. Let’s get into it.

Pitch Black at a glance

Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution, Pitch Black released in English on 17 July 2026, after prerelease events from 4 to 12 July. It’s the English version of the Japanese set Abyss Eye, which came out on 22 May 2026.

• Set size: 120 cards, with 84 in the main set and 36 secret rares.
• Lead Pokémon: Mega Darkrai ex.
• Japanese equivalent: Abyss Eye (m5).

At 120 cards, the Pitch Black card list is one of the more manageable lists of the year. The 84-card main set is a realistic target, even if you only open a booster box.

The top cards on the Pitch Black card list

These are the cards collectors are chasing hardest. We’ve left out prices because they shift weekly, but the order follows demand.

Mega Darkrai ex (116/084)

The Special Illustration Rare, illustrated by Akira Egawa, is the card of the set. If you only care about one pull, it’s this one.

Mega Darkrai ex (120/084)

The Mega Hyper Rare is the top rarity on the Pitch Black card list, with the gold textured finish that defines the era.

Morpeko ex (117/084)

A slightly unexpected favourite, but Morpeko’s art is brilliant, and it’s become one of the most wanted cards in the set.

Mega Zeraora ex and Mega Chandelure ex

Mega Zeraora ex (114/084) and Mega Chandelure ex (115/084) round out the Pokémon Special Illustration Rares. Chandelure fits the dark theme perfectly.

Gwynn and Gladion’s Final Battle

The Trainer Special Illustration Rares, Gwynn (119/084) and Gladion’s Final Battle (118/084), are popular with collectors who love the character art.

How to tackle the Pitch Black card list

• Finish the main set first. 84 cards is very achievable and gives you a sense of progress early on.
• Keep a checklist handy. Having the Pitch Black card list open while you open packs makes sorting much quicker.
• Don’t chase Darkrai in packs forever. If you need the Special Illustration Rare, buying the single is usually cheaper.
• Protect dark cards. Dark borders and backgrounds show scratches and whitening easily, so sleeve them straight away.

A small tip from experience: dark-themed sets can be tricky to photograph and grade. Keep your best pulls in top loaders from the moment you open them, and handle them by the edges.

Which Pitch Black product should you buy?

Pitch Black is a main expansion, so you’ll find the full line-up.

Booster box

The booster box is the best value per pack and the best way to work through the Pitch Black card list.

Elite Trainer Box

The Elite Trainer Box is our gift pick, with packs, a promo and all the accessories a player needs.

Booster bundle and Build & Battle

The booster bundle is the easiest way to open a few packs, and the Build & Battle Box gets you playing straight away with a ready-made deck.

Japanese Abyss Eye

Prefer Japanese? The Japanese Abyss Eye booster box is the original release these cards come from.

Is Pitch Black worth opening?

We think so. It has a clear headline card, the art direction is strong, and it’s small enough that you can make proper progress. If you like darker, moodier artwork, it might be your favourite set of the year.

If you want something brighter to open alongside it, our Phantasmal Flames card list guide covers the Mega Charizard X set.

Who it suits

Darkrai fans, collectors who like a set they can finish and players looking at the new Mega Pokémon. It’s also a great first booster box for anyone moving up from bundles, since the set size keeps things manageable.

How it compares with other Mega sets

Compared with the bigger releases of the era, Pitch Black feels focused. There are fewer cards to chase, the theme is consistent from the first pack to the last and the headline card is obvious. Some collectors prefer that. Others like the sheer volume of a set like Ascended Heroes. Neither is wrong, it’s just a question of how long you want a collection to take.

Pitch Black for players

We’ve mostly talked about collecting, but the Pitch Black card list has plenty for players too. New Mega Pokémon ex always shake up the format a little, and the Trainer cards are worth a close look before you trade them away. If you play at a local league, ask around before you sell anything. Someone there will probably tell you which cards are seeing play, and it’s nice to help a fellow player finish a deck.

Frequently asked questions

How many cards are on the Pitch Black card list?

There are 120 cards: 84 in the main set and 36 secret rares.

When did Pitch Black come out?

It released in English on 17 July 2026. The Japanese version, Abyss Eye, came out on 22 May 2026.

What’s the best card in Pitch Black?

The Mega Darkrai ex Special Illustration Rare (116/084) is the most wanted, with the Mega Hyper Rare not far behind.

See the official quick facts on TCGplayer, or browse more set guides on the TCG blog.