Pokemon TCG Ascended Heroes: Complete Guide to the Biggest Set Ever | Cardseekers

Pokemon TCG: Mega Evolution — Ascended Heroes launched on January 30, 2026, and it has already taken the collecting world by storm. With 295 cards — making it the largest English Pokemon TCG set ever released — this special expansion brings back the beloved Mega Evolution mechanic alongside iconic Trainer-Pokemon partnerships that fans have been asking for.

In this guide, we break down everything you need to know about Ascended Heroes: the key cards, the new rarity, the chase pulls, and what products to pick up.

What Makes Ascended Heroes Special?

Ascended Heroes is officially classified as a special expansion within the Mega Evolution Series (set code SV9a). Unlike a standard mainline set, special expansions tend to have higher pull rates for premium cards and focus on fan-favourite themes — and Ascended Heroes delivers on both fronts.

The set features three major themes:

Mega Evolution Pokemon ex — fan-favourite Megas return with stunning new artwork

Trainer's Pokemon — classic characters like Erika, Cynthia, Lillie, Iono, and Larry are paired with their signature Pokemon

Stellar Tera Pokemon ex — powerful Tera-type variants with unique typing

With 217 main set cards and 78 secret rares, there is an enormous amount to collect. Whether you are a competitive player looking for powerful new cards or a collector chasing beautiful illustrations, Ascended Heroes has something for everyone.

The New Mega Attack Rare Rarity

One of the most exciting additions in Ascended Heroes is the introduction of an entirely new card rarity: the Mega Attack Rare. This is the first new rarity added to the Pokemon TCG in quite some time, and collectors are loving it.

Mega Attack Rare cards feature a bold pop-art style with the Pokemon's signature attack name written in large Japanese katakana text across the foreground of the card. It is a striking visual style that looks unlike anything else in the TCG.

There are seven Mega Attack Rare cards in the set: Mega Diancie ex, Mega Charizard X ex, Mega Lucario ex, Mega Gardevoir ex, Mega Hawlucha ex, Mega Dragonite ex, and Mega Gengar ex.

Based on pull rate data from over 2,000 packs, you can expect to find a Mega Attack Rare roughly once every 29 packs — making them reasonably accessible compared to the ultra-rare Special Illustration Rares (1 in 70 packs) and Mega Hyper Rares (1 in 540 packs).

Top Chase Cards

Every set has its must-have pulls, and Ascended Heroes is no exception. Here are the cards that collectors and investors are watching most closely:

Mega Gengar ex Special Illustration Rare

The undisputed king of Ascended Heroes. This card features Gengar in a haunting, ghostly illustration that has captivated collectors. Raw copies have been commanding prices well over a thousand euros, with graded PSA 10 copies selling for significantly more. If you pull one of these, you have hit the jackpot.

Mega Dragonite ex

As the flagship Pokemon of the set, Mega Dragonite ex appears across multiple rarities — regular, Special Illustration Rare, and Mega Attack Rare. The Special Illustration Rare variant is particularly sought after, featuring Dragonite soaring above the clouds in a breathtaking panoramic illustration.

Mega Charizard Y ex Mega Hyper Rare

Charizard always commands attention, and the Mega Hyper Rare version of Mega Charizard Y ex is no exception. Without a competing Special Illustration Rare variant in this set, the Mega Hyper Rare stands alone as the premium Charizard to chase.

Trainer Special Illustration Rares

The Trainer cards in this set are some of the most beautiful ever printed. Erika, Cynthia, Lillie, Iono, and other beloved characters appear in gorgeous full-art illustrations alongside their partner Pokemon. These Trainer SIRs combine nostalgia with stunning artwork and have proven extremely popular with collectors.

Iconic Trainer-Pokemon Partnerships

One of the defining features of Ascended Heroes is how it celebrates the bond between Trainers and their Pokemon. The set includes multiple Trainer-Pokemon pairs, each with their own card lines:

Erika and her Vileplume ex — the classic Celadon City Gym Leader returns with her signature Grass-type partner

Cynthia and her Garchomp ex — the Sinnoh Champion brings her fearsome Dragon/Ground-type ace

Lillie and her Clefairy ex — the Alolan companion with her adorable Fairy-type friend

Iono and her Bellibolt ex — the Paldea Gym Leader with her Electric-type partner

Hop and his Pincurchin ex — Galar's rival trainer with an Electric-type partner

Larry and his Dudunsparce ex — the Normal-type Gym Leader with his underrated ace

Ethan and his Ho-Oh ex — the Johto protagonist with the legendary Rainbow Pokemon

Marnie and her Grimmsnarl ex — the Spikemuth Gym Leader with her Dark-type powerhouse

Each Trainer line includes the basic Pokemon, evolutions, and a powerful ex card, making them fun to collect as complete sets.

What Products Should You Buy?

If you are looking to get into Ascended Heroes, here is our recommendation for the best products at every budget:

For Collectors on a Budget

Start with a Booster Bundle (6 packs) or a few individual Booster Packs. The Mini Tins are also great value — each includes 2 packs plus a collectible art card, and they make fantastic display pieces.

For Serious Collectors

The Elite Trainer Box is the gold standard. You get 9 packs, a foil promo card, card sleeves, dice, and a premium collector's box. The Pokemon Center Elite Trainer Box is even better with 11 packs and exclusive artwork.

For Investors and Group Openings

For maximum packs and value, grab an ETB Case (10 boxes) or a Booster Bundle Display (6 bundles).

For Mega Evolution Fans

The Mega Emboar ex Box, Mega Feraligatr ex Box, and Mega Meganium ex Box each include 4 packs plus an exclusive foil promo and oversized card. Perfect for fans of the Johto starters.

Browse our full Ascended Heroes collection to see all available products.

Pull Rates at a Glance

Based on community data from thousands of opened packs, here are the approximate pull rates for Ascended Heroes:

Double Rare: 1 in 5 packs

Illustration Rare: 1 in 9 packs

Ultra Rare: 1 in 21 packs

Mega Attack Rare: 1 in 29 packs

Special Illustration Rare: 1 in 70 packs

Mega Hyper Rare: 1 in 540 packs

These rates are notably better than many recent mainline sets, which is consistent with Ascended Heroes being a special expansion. The generous pull rates combined with the sheer number of premium cards make this set incredibly rewarding to open.

God Packs Return

Ascended Heroes brings back the fan-favourite God Pack mechanic. If you are lucky enough to pull one, every card in the pack will be a rare or higher rarity card. God Packs are extremely rare but are an incredible experience when they appear.

Our Verdict

Ascended Heroes is one of the strongest Pokemon TCG releases in recent memory. The combination of beloved Mega Evolutions, iconic Trainer partnerships, a brand-new rarity type, and generous pull rates makes this set a must-have for collectors of all levels.

Whether you are chasing the Mega Gengar ex SIR, completing Trainer lines, or simply enjoying the beautiful new Mega Attack Rare cards, there is something magical about every pack you open.

The set is available now at Cardseekers. Browse our full Ascended Heroes collection — from individual Booster Packs to Elite Trainer Boxes and Collection Boxes — and start your collection today.