The Pokémon Trading Card Game universe is about to plunge into darkness with the imminent arrival of Mega Evolution – Dark Night (set code ME05). Officially announced on April 30, 2026, this expansion is the fifth installment in the Mega Evolution series, celebrating the designs introduced in the video game Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Get your binders and decks ready: between the smash arrival of Mega Darkrai-ex and new anti-meta mechanics, this set is already shaping up to be a must-have for collectors and competitive players alike.
📅 Release Schedule: Mark Your Calendars!
As usual, the release will take place in several stages to allow the community to discover the cards progressively:
- July 4, 2026 : Start of prerelease tournaments in local game stores with Build & Battle Boxes.
- July 16, 2026 : Digital deployment on Pokémon TCG Live.
- July 17, 2026 : Official global launch of physical products.
- July 31, 2026 : Cards become legal for play in official tournaments.
💎 The "Chase Cards": What Everyone is Scrambling For
Inspired by the Japanese set Abyss Eye (M5), the Dark Night expansion features a dark, organic aesthetic that contrasts with the bright glow of previous sets. Here are the cards currently dominating the secondary market:
1. Mega Darkrai-ex (SAR & Gold)
This is the absolute star of the set. The Special Illustration Rare (SAR) version, illustrated by the famous AKIRA EGAWA, is a true masterpiece depicting an abyssal nightmare. For investors, the golden Mega Hyper Rare (MHR) version (numbered #118 in Japan) represents the pinnacle of rarity, with an estimated value of over $1,500 in a PSA 10 grade. See where that sits among the most expensive PSA 10 Pokémon cards.
2. Gwynn (Mûre) - SAR
A new trainer from Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Gwynn benefits from a gorgeous SAR illustrated by nagimiso. Beyond its beauty, it is a centerpiece for the Hide 'n' Sneak deck.
3. Other Mega Evolutions
Do not underestimate the SARs of Mega Zeraora-ex, Mega Chandelure-ex, and Mega Excadrill-ex, which complete this dark lineup with highly aggressive and detailed visual styles.
⚔️ Meta Analysis: The "Hide 'n' Sneak" Earthquake
If you are tired of playing under the rule of Dragapult-ex (Lanssorien-ex), this set is made for you.
The "Hide 'n' Sneak" Archetype (Cachette en Douce)
This new "Single Prize" deck relies on a spectral ability held by Pokémon like Polteageist and Sinistea.
- Total Immunity : This ability protects your Pokémon from the effects of indirect attacks, completely neutralizing Dragapult-ex's Phantom Dive or Munkidori's (Félicanis) abilities.
- The Star Attacker : Dhelmise (Sinistrail) can deal 170 damage for a single Psychic Energy if you have at least four Pokémon with the Hide 'n' Sneak ability in your discard pile.
The Return of Fossils
Thanks to the new Fossil Quarry stadium, you can search for two "Ancient" item cards per turn and play them directly onto your bench. This makes it easier to summon Bastiodon, whose ability immunizes your Pokémon against attackers with two or fewer attached energies.
📦 Products Available Starting July 17
Here is an overview of the product lineup you will find at your usual retailers:
| Product | Key Content | Suggested Retail Price |
|---|---|---|
| Booster Display Box (36 booster packs) | The best price-per-pack ratio for mass openings. | ~€150 - €180 |
| Elite Trainer Box (ETB) | 9 booster packs + an exclusive Full Art Zarude promo card. | ~€55.99 |
| Booster Bundle | 6 booster packs in a compact format. | ~€39.99 |
| Build & Battle Box | 1 forty-card ready-to-play deck + 4 booster packs (ideal for beginners). | ~€25 - €30 |
| Blister Pack (Tripack) | 3 booster packs + 1 promo card. | ~€19.99 |
📊 Theoretical Pull Rates
Based on analyses of previous sets from the Mega Evolution block, here is what you can expect when opening your booster packs:
- Double Rare (ex) : 1 in 5 booster packs.
- Illustration Rare (AR) : 1 in 9 booster packs.
- Ultra Rare (Full Art) : 1 in 12 booster packs.
- Special Illustration Rare (SAR) : 1 in 83 booster packs.
- Mega Hyper Rare (MHR - Gold) : 1 in 956 booster packs.
Expert Verdict: ME05: Dark Night is a masterful expansion that successfully balances the game while offering collectible cards of a rare artistic quality. Whether you are in it for tournament glory or the beauty of Akira Egawa's artwork, get ready to plunge into the shadows! 🌑✨