Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution—Pitch Black Release Guide
Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution—Pitch Black reaches general retail July 17, 2026, led by Mega Darkrai ex. Use this guide for the confirmed timeline, 120-card prerelease set breakdown, chase cards, sealed products, promos, and an HOC plan for preorder and restock alerts.
Pitch Black at a glance
- Current phase: prerelease. Pokémon TCG Live arrives July 16, followed by the worldwide physical release July 17, 2026.
- Set size: Pokémon advertises 115+ cards; current prerelease catalogs show 120 cards numbered through 120/084.
- Headline chase: Mega Darkrai ex, with no guaranteed pull rate, future value, or resale outcome.
- HOC workflow: private monitors, stock checks, retailer notes, direct preorder or early checkout links when available, and eligible ACO announcements for select drops.
Pitch Black drop support
Get the product link and next step when Pitch Black stock moves.
Join HOC for private Discord monitoring of Pitch Black products, plus stock checks, retailer notes, and direct preorder or early checkout links when available.
Join HOC for Pitch Black AlertsCoverage varies by retailer. Alerts and links do not reserve inventory.
Practical tool
Pitch Black sealed product decision table
Choose by pack count, exclusive contents, budget, and intended use. Presale marketplace prices are volatile, so this table avoids treating a temporary listing price as fair value.
Swipe or scroll horizontally to compare every column.
| Format | Confirmed or reported contents | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Booster Display Box | 36 booster packs; each pack contains 10 cards plus one Basic Energy. | Opening packs at scale or keeping a standard sealed display. |
| Elite Trainer Box | 9 packs, full-art Zarude promo, sleeves, Energy cards, dice, coin, guide, dividers, and storage box. | Collectors or players who want the promo and accessories with a moderate pack count. |
| Pokémon Center ETB | 11 packs and two Zarude promos, including one Pokémon Center-stamped copy, plus the standard ETB accessories. | Collectors prioritizing the exclusive stamped promo; most sensitive to scarcity premiums. |
| Booster Bundle | 6 booster packs with no major accessory bundle. | A compact pack-only option below the price of a display box. |
| Build & Battle Box | 4 packs and a 40-card ready-to-play prerelease deck with one of four foil promos. | Prerelease play, the stamped promo, and an early look at the set. |
| Blisters and checklane packs | Retailer-catalog formats include single-pack, 3-pack, and premium checklane products with promos or coins. | Lower entry price or a specific promo; compare the extra cost with buying the promo separately. |
Pitch Black release date, status, and set overview
Mega Evolution—Pitch Black is in prerelease as of July 10, ahead of its worldwide physical release Friday, July 17, 2026. Pokémon TCG Live receives the set July 16, and official prerelease play began July 4 at participating independent retailers. Pitch Black carries the set code ME05, is led by Mega Darkrai ex, and adapts the core of Japan’s Abyss Eye expansion with English additions and promo changes.
- July 4, 2026: official prerelease activity begins at participating independent retailers.
- July 16, 2026: Pitch Black becomes playable in Pokémon TCG Live.
- July 17, 2026: scheduled worldwide physical release at participating retailers.
- Featured Mega Evolution Pokémon ex include Mega Darkrai, Mega Zeraora, Mega Chandelure, and Mega Excadrill.
Pitch Black card count and Pokémon ex lineup
Pokémon advertises 115+ cards, more than 20 Trainer cards, and more than 35 cards with special illustrations. Current prerelease English catalogs run through 120/084: 84 main-set cards plus 36 above-numbered cards. The set includes six Mega Evolution Pokémon ex—Mega Delphox, Mega Zeraora, Mega Slowbro, Mega Chandelure, Mega Darkrai, and Mega Excadrill—and four other Pokémon ex: Lurantis, Wailord, Rampardos, and Morpeko.
- 84 numbered main-set cards.
- 11 illustration rares, numbered 085 through 095 in current catalogs.
- 18 ultra rares, numbered 096 through 113.
- 6 special illustration rares, numbered 114 through 119.
- 1 Mega Hyper Rare, Mega Darkrai ex at number 120.
- Mega Evolution Pokémon ex give up three Prize cards when Knocked Out, separating collector appeal from deck-building risk.
Pitch Black chase cards and early player watch list
Mega Darkrai ex leads the collector conversation. Its special illustration rare (SIR) tops TCGplayer’s July 9 editorial watch list, while the Mega Hyper Rare (MHR) is the set’s lone highest-rarity card; neither distinction guarantees post-release value. Pokémon’s official previews also highlight Mega Excadrill ex, Dhelmise, Fossil Quarry, Relicanth, and Chi-Yu as early gameplay pieces.
- Darkrai spotlight: Mega Darkrai ex SIR and Mega Darkrai ex MHR.
- Other SIRs: Mega Zeraora ex, Mega Chandelure ex, Morpeko ex, Gladion’s Final Battle, and Gwynn.
- Illustration Rare (IR) favorites include Slowbro, Goldeen, Dhelmise, Bastiodon, Toucannon, Silvally, and Primarina.
- Early play angles include Mega Excadrill ex damage, Dhelmise’s Hide ’n’ Sneak discard plan, and Fossil Quarry with Relicanth.
- Treat chase rankings and playability notes as dated watch lists, not pull-rate, price, or final-tier forecasts.
Pitch Black sealed products and ETB comparison
The official lineup includes a 36-pack Booster Display Box, nine-pack Elite Trainer Box, 11-pack Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box, six-pack Booster Bundle, and four-pack Build & Battle Box. Retailer catalogs also show sleeved packs and blister formats with promos or coins. The comparison table above covers pack count and best fit; the biggest collector distinction is usually the regular ETB versus the Pokémon Center version.
- Regular ETB: 9 packs and one full-art Zarude promo.
- Pokémon Center ETB: 11 packs and two Zarude promos, including one Pokémon Center-stamped copy.
- Both formats include the core ETB accessories.
- Compare the retailer price with the extra packs and stamped promo instead of treating an aftermarket listing as fair value.
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Pitch Black prerelease and retailer promos
Each Build & Battle Box contains four packs and a 40-card ready-to-play deck built around one of four foil prerelease promos: Miraidon, Slowbro, Dhelmise, or Bastiodon. Pokémon also announced Primarina, Zarude, and Armarouge retailer gift-with-purchase promos carrying the 30th Celebration ‘What’s Your Favorite?’ stamp.
- US $15 qualifying-purchase offer: Primarina at Hot Topic, Barnes & Noble, and BoxLunch; Zarude at GameStop; Armarouge at Best Buy.
- Offers are limited to participating retailers and available only while supplies last.
- Do not confuse the standard ETB Zarude promo with the separate retailer-stamped Zarude promotion.
Pitch Black preorders, where to buy, and seller safety
Pokémon Center support currently lists the Pitch Black Pokémon Center ETB, six-pack Booster Bundle, and 36-pack Booster Display Box with estimated July 2026 shipping for supported regions. Other participating retailers and local game stores may carry the broader lineup. Presale prices reflect limited early supply, not settled value, so compare retailer price, pack count, promo, shipping and cancellation terms, and seller identity before ordering.
- Read payment authorization, reauthorization, cancellation, and shipment rules before tying up preorder funds.
- Verify the exact SKU, seller, region, purchase limit, shipping cost, and return terms before paying.
- Keep retail prices, marketplace asking prices, and completed-sale evidence separate.
- Use reputable sellers, preserve order records, and keep normal buyer protections in place.
- Avoid debt or overextending capital for a product whose supply and market price can still change.
Put this guide to work
Bring Pitch Black alerts, stock context, and checkout prep into one Discord workflow.
HOC monitors supported Pitch Black products and shares product-specific alerts, stock checks, retailer guidance, and direct links when available. If select ACO support opens, eligible members receive the profile window and instructions in Discord.
Product-specific Pokémon alerts
Stock checks and retailer notes
Direct preorder and early checkout links when available
Select eligible ACO opportunities
ACO availability and capacity vary. No monitor, link, or ACO submission guarantees checkout or an uncancelled order.
Your Pitch Black release-day plan
Choose your target products and spending limit before an alert arrives. HOC can turn those targets into private Discord monitoring, stock checks, retailer notes, and direct preorder or early checkout links when available. For select opportunities, HOC may also announce eligible staff-run auto checkout (ACO) support with a defined profile window and instructions.
- Choose target SKUs: display, regular ETB, Pokémon Center ETB, bundle, Build & Battle, or a specific blister.
- Set quantity and all-in spending limits before release morning.
- Verify retailer accounts, saved addresses, payment methods, region eligibility, and available funds.
- Enable HOC Pokémon alerts, stock checks, staff release notes, and ACO announcements inside Discord.
- Open the exact direct link from the alert and verify the product name, price, quantity, and seller before paying.
- Submit ACO details only through the official HOC process for the announced product and retailer.
- No monitor, direct link, or ACO submission reserves inventory or guarantees checkout, an uncancelled order, or resale results.
Common Questions
When does Pokémon TCG Pitch Black release?
Mega Evolution—Pitch Black is scheduled for worldwide physical release on July 17, 2026. It arrives in Pokémon TCG Live on July 16, and official prerelease activity began July 4.
How many cards are in Pitch Black?
Pokémon officially markets Pitch Black as an expansion with over 115 cards. Current prerelease catalogs show 120 cards: 84 main-set cards and 36 cards numbered above the main set.
What is the main chase card in Pitch Black?
Mega Darkrai ex is the set’s central chase. Editorial watch lists favor its special illustration rare artwork, while a Mega Hyper Rare Mega Darkrai ex is the set’s lone highest-rarity card. Future popularity and value are not guaranteed.
What comes in the Pitch Black Pokémon Center ETB?
The official product showcase lists 11 Pitch Black booster packs and two full-art Zarude promos, including one with a Pokémon Center logo, plus the standard ETB accessories.
Which Pitch Black product has the most packs?
The Booster Display Box contains 36 packs, the largest pack count in one confirmed standard Pitch Black product. The best choice still depends on price, promos, accessories, budget, and intended use.
What are the Pitch Black prerelease promos?
Each Build & Battle Box contains one of four foil prerelease promos: Miraidon, Slowbro, Dhelmise, or Bastiodon, along with a 40-card ready-to-play deck and four packs.
Can HOC alert me when Pitch Black restocks?
HOC membership includes private Pokémon monitors, product and stock context, staff release notes, and direct preorder or checkout links when available. An alert does not reserve stock or guarantee checkout.
Will HOC offer ACO for Pitch Black?
HOC may announce auto checkout support for select eligible Pitch Black opportunities. Retailer coverage, capacity, profile rules, and eligibility vary by release, and ACO never guarantees stock, checkout, or an uncancelled order.
Is Pokémon Pitch Black worth buying?
That depends on the product, price, promo, pack count, and your collecting or play goals. Presale prices, supply, pull rates, fees, and post-release demand can all change, so buy within a budget and do not treat any format as guaranteed profit.
Pitch Black launches July 17
Set up your Pitch Black workflow before the next launch or restock alert.
Choose an HOC membership, connect Discord, turn on Pokémon notifications, and review your target products before stock is moving.
Joining before launch gives you time to finish setup and read any announced ACO instructions without making those decisions inside a live queue.
Membership improves readiness; it does not guarantee stock, checkout, or resale results.
Keep Learning
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