Pokémon TCG Pitch Black Review — Mega Darkrai ex, Pull Rates & Is It Worth Buying?

Pitch Black released July 17, 2026 as the fifth set in the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution series, and it delivers exactly what the name promises: darkness, power, and one genuinely fearsome chase card.

Here’s the full breakdown — what’s in the set, which cards are worth chasing, and whether a booster box is the right move or if you’re better off going straight for singles.

What’s in Pitch Black?

Pitch Black is based on the Japanese Abyss Eye set and contains 120 cards total — 84 main set cards and 36 secret rares, including Illustration Rares, Special Illustration Rares, and the Mega Darkrai ex Hyper Rare at number 120.

The set headlines six Mega Evolution Pokémon ex:

• Mega Darkrai ex — the marquee chase pull and the Hyper Rare at the end of the set
• Mega Zeraora ex — lightning-fast, strong competitive potential
• Mega Chandelure ex — the most visually striking of the Ghost/Fire types
• Mega Excadrill ex — Ground/Steel, heavy hitter
• Mega Slowbro ex — added from Japanese Gym promos
• Mega Delphox ex — Fire damage scaling, also added from Japanese Gym promos

Beyond the Mega Evolution ex, the set includes 11 Illustration Rare Pokémon cards, 18 Ultra Rare Pokémon and Trainer cards, and 6 Special Illustration Rares — one of the stronger secret rare ratios in the Mega Evolution block.

The Chase Card: Mega Darkrai ex Hyper Rare

Mega Darkrai ex is the pull everyone wants, and for good reason. The Hyper Rare version has a full-art treatment that looks genuinely impressive. As a card, it brings a high-damage attack built around the darkness theme of the set — strong enough to see competitive play and collectible enough to command serious secondary market value.

If you’re cracking boxes specifically for Mega Darkrai ex, Hyper Rares appear roughly once per case on average. Chasing it through box purchases alone is expensive. Singles are the smarter play once the market stabilizes post-release.

Top Cards to Chase

For competitive players:

• Mega Darkrai ex — high attack ceiling, strong darkness synergy
• Mega Zeraora ex — lightning speed, bench damage potential
• Mega Chandelure ex — Fire/Ghost typing opens interesting deck builds
• Mega Excadrill ex — Ground coverage in a format that rewards type diversity

For collectors:

• Mega Darkrai ex Hyper Rare (#120) — the headline pull
• Special Illustration Rare Supporter cards — 6 in the set, strong artwork
• Illustration Rare Armarouge — Jiro Sasumo’s watercolor art is exceptional
• Mega Evolution ex Illustration Rares — consistently high collector demand

Booster Box vs Singles — The Honest Take

A booster box contains 36 packs at roughly $4.49 per pack, running approximately $161 retail. You’re guaranteed secret rares, but pulling a specific Hyper Rare across one box isn’t reliable.

The math on chasing the Hyper Rare through boxes doesn’t work unless you’re selling duplicates or genuinely enjoy the pack-opening experience. Mega Darkrai ex on the secondary market will come down from its launch-week price spike within 2–3 weeks as supply settles.

Our recommendation:

• Buy a box if you want the full experience or are building competitive decks needing multiple ex cards
• Buy singles if you’re targeting Mega Darkrai ex Hyper Rare or specific competitive cards
• Elite Trainer Box ($49.99) is the best value entry point for a taste of the set

Promo Cards — Where to Get Them

• Zarude — Elite Trainer Box promo; also at GameStop
• Primarina — Hot Topic, Barnes & Noble, and BoxLunch (US)
• Armarouge — Best Buy (US)

Spend $15 or more on Pokémon TCG products at participating retailers and receive one of these promos with a special 30th Celebration stamp, while supplies last.

Verdict

Pitch Black is a solid Mega Evolution set. Mega Darkrai ex as the centerpiece delivers, and the six-Mega-ex lineup gives competitive players real options. The secret rare ratios are strong and the Illustration Rare selection has standout artwork throughout.

Box buyers: worth it if you’re building multiple decks or want the full experience. Singles buyers: wait 2–3 weeks for post-launch prices to settle, then target your pulls directly.

Shop Pitch Black Singles on Andrew’s Card Corner →