Pokémon Pitch Black: Release Date, ETBs & Restocks
Released July 17, 2026, Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution—Pitch Black is the Mega Darkrai ex-led main set. Compare ETBs and sealed products below, then check the release timeline and restock preparation. Documented HOC member results follow the buying guide.
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Practical tool
Pitch Black sealed product decision table
Choose by pack count, exclusive contents, budget, and intended use. 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 | What it includes | 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 access began July 4; Pokémon’s July product calendar lists July 31 for the wider retail release. |
| 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 and restock answers
- Drop status: complete. Pokémon TCG Live launched July 16, followed by the worldwide physical release July 17, 2026.
- Set size: Pokémon markets over 115 cards; PokéBeach’s July 7 checklist reports 120. Check the printed collector number when identifying a card.
- Headline chase: Mega Darkrai ex, with no guaranteed pull rate, future value, or resale outcome.
- HOC converted 80% of submitted profiles across the June 10 preorder and June 30 restock; July Target coverage then added visible Slot Buddy wins through release.
- Member advantage: staff-run ACO for supported products, private monitors, stock checks, retailer notes, and direct checkout links inside Discord.
Pitch Black proved the full-drop advantage
HOC members were ready before launch—and kept checking out through July.
HOC opened with 80% profile success across the June preorder and restock windows, then carried that setup into July Target coverage and Slot Buddy checkouts. Get alerts, staff-run ACO, and live support ready for the next drop.
Join Before the Next ACO CutoffACO capacity and retailer stock vary by drop.
Pitch Black release date, status, and set overview
Released July 17, 2026, Mega Evolution—Pitch Black has completed its launch; current stock varies by retailer. Pokémon TCG Live received 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: worldwide physical release of the main set products.
- July 31, 2026: wider Build & Battle retail release in Pokémon’s July product calendar, after July 4 prerelease access.
- Featured Mega Evolution Pokémon ex include Mega Darkrai, Mega Zeraora, Mega Chandelure, and Mega Excadrill.
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.
Pitch Black preorders, restocks, and the speed advantage
Pokémon Center support listed the Pitch Black Pokémon Center ETB, six-pack Booster Bundle, and 36-pack Booster Display Box for supported regions, while other participating retailers and local game stores carried the broader lineup. The members positioned to move were not researching SKUs after the alert—they had already chosen products, loaded accounts, and submitted eligible ACO profiles. HOC adds stock details and a direct path so members can act while inventory is live.
- Choose the exact ETB, bundle, display, or promo SKU before the next alert lands.
- Load retailer accounts, addresses, payment methods, and quantity targets in advance.
- Use HOC stock checks, direct links, and staff notes to cut the time between alert and action.
- Submit eligible ACO profiles before the announced cutoff so staff can include them in the run.
- Know the retailer price and purchase limit so marketplace noise does not slow the decision.
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Pitch Black card count and Pokémon ex lineup
Pokémon markets the expansion as over 115 cards, while PokéBeach’s July 7 English checklist reports 120 total. Pokémon’s card database displays a base denominator of 83 on entries such as Zarude and Gwynn. Use the printed collector number and rarity for an individual card rather than an assumed main-set/secret-rare split. 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.
- Official examples: Zarude 56/83 is Rare; Gwynn 119/83 is Special Illustration Rare.
- Promotional cards and alternate finishes should be tracked separately from a numbered set checklist.
- 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 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.
Why your ACO profile needs to be ready before the next drop
Pitch Black showed the timing advantage: HOC members had submitted profiles before inventory moved. Private monitors, stock checks, retailer notes, direct links, and announced ACO windows were already connected. The next priority is 30th Celebration, followed by Delta Reign and the shared November 6 product window.
- Join HOC and connect Discord before the next high-demand Pokémon release.
- Watch the announcement channel for the eligible products, retailers, quantity rules, and profile deadline.
- Submit the official HOC ACO form before the cutoff; late profiles do not enter the run.
- Keep retailer accounts, saved addresses, payment methods, and available funds ready.
- Turn on Pokémon alerts so you can act on direct links and restocks outside the staff-run ACO window.
- ACO capacity and retailer stock still vary by drop.
Drop complete · HOC results
Proof refreshed August 18, 2026
From 80% profile success to July Target wins: HOC’s Pitch Black run
HOC built Pitch Black coverage for the full drop cycle. Prepared profiles converted across the June preorder and restock windows; then July brought release-day automation, Target restocks, and Slot Buddy wins. HOC stayed active before launch, through release week, and after inventory started moving.
80%
pre-release profile success
Among members who submitted profiles for the June 10 preorder and June 30 restock.
468
June 30 runner items
$33.62K shown across two June 30 Pokémon Center runner panels.
87+
June 11 member items
Across eight visible members on the June 11 results leaderboard.
4
July Target ETB wins
Shown on one July 24 Slot Buddy receipt for Pitch Black at Target.
Checkout to product in hand
HOC Slots receipts, then a fulfilled Pitch Black haul
The checkout receipt shows HOC’s staff-run ACO in the moment. The product photo shows a separate member’s fulfilled Pitch Black haul after they thanked the HOC Slots team.
Nine Pitch Black products after fulfillment
After fulfillment, the member posted this nine-product Pitch Black haul and thanked the HOC Slots team.
A prepared profile turned into four Pitch Black ETBs
The member submitted a profile before the cutoff. When Target inventory moved, Slot Buddy recorded four Pitch Black Elite Trainer Box checkouts through HOC’s staff-run ACO.
The receipt documents checkout and the member photo documents product in hand. Neither image is presented as profit.
- More than 75% of responding slots opted into July Target coverage for Pitch Black ETBs and booster bundles.
- The July advantage was built before release: member profiles, retailer accounts, alerts, and Slot Buddy coverage were ready before Target inventory moved.
From preorder setup to July checkouts
The next member checkout starts with an early profile.
HOC members had profiles, retailer accounts, alerts, and staff instructions ready before stock appeared. The same setup supported preorder coverage, release-day automation, Target restocks, and Slot Buddy.
80%
pre-release profile success
4
July Target ETB wins on one Slot Buddy receipt
Staff-run ACO for supported Pokémon products
Private monitors and direct product links
Clear profile windows and retailer instructions
Staff support before and during the release
Profiles have to be ready before the window closes. Join early enough to connect Discord and submit the next form on time.
Common Questions
When did Pokémon TCG Pitch Black release?
Mega Evolution—Pitch Black reached worldwide physical release on July 17, 2026. It arrived in Pokémon TCG Live on July 16, and official prerelease activity began July 4.
How many cards are in Pitch Black?
Pokémon markets over 115 cards and PokéBeach’s July 7 checklist reports 120 total. Official database entries use a denominator of 83, so check the printed collector number and keep promo cards separate when building your checklist.
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 notes, staff release guidance, and direct preorder or checkout links when available. An alert does not reserve stock or guarantee checkout.
Did HOC run ACO for Pitch Black?
Yes. HOC ran Pitch Black from preorder through release: 80% of submitted profiles converted across the June 10 preorder and June 30 restock, followed by July Target coverage and a July 24 Slot Buddy receipt showing four ETB wins.
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 is over. The next drop is not.
Have your HOC profile ready before the next Pokémon release moves.
Pitch Black moved from preorder into launch and Target restocks with HOC profiles, private alerts, staff-run ACO, and Slot Buddy already in place. Join now so the same member setup is ready for 30th Celebration and the releases after it.
Late profiles do not run. Join early enough to finish setup before the cutoff.
Retailer stock and ACO capacity vary by release.
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