With the Pokémon TCG’s newest set, Pitch Black, releasing in mid-July 2026, let’s take a look at what cards will tear up the sales charts upon the set’s debut, much like we did with Chaos Rising before that set released.
The Mega Evolution series of cards continues to unveil brand-new mega evolution forms, and this set’s headliner is the terrifying Mega Darkrai, which features heavily herein. Let’s go.
These are the Pitch Black cards that every Pokémon collector is going to want
10. Goldeen – Illustration Rare, 084/081
Everyone’s favorite Super Smash Bros. Poké Ball occupant (just kidding), the classic Generation One goldfish ‘mon Goldeen gets its first-ever Illustration Rare in Pitch Black.
With Water-types being the most populous across the entirety of the Pokémon franchise, it’s no wonder that multiple notable Water-types have been featured with striking full-art Illustration Rares in recent sets, and this gorgeous Goldeen enters into that esteemed company.
9. Slowbro – Illustration Rare, 087/081
With artwork courtesy of Mékayu, this Illustration Rare Slowbro is sure to be a big hit among fans of the Slowpoke evolution line, as it shows the cute Psychic/Water-type ‘mon transfixed by a streetlight in Lumiose City.
Mékayu’s art style is typified by bright, heavily saturated colors and thick line work, which produces a cartoon-like effect that works particularly well in the field of Pokémon cards.
8. Gwynn – Special Illustration Rare, 117/081
Gwynn is the sister of Ivor, who leads the Fist of Justice in Lumiose City during the events of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Gwynn herself is a notable member of the game’s cast of characters, as one of the game’s main missions sees the player-character tasked with finding the Ghost-type specialist in the Lumiose sewers.
Gwynn is featured on two full-art cards in Pitch Black, and the more valuable one will surely be her SIR rendition, which features gossamer artwork from Naoki Saito.
7. Gladion’s Showdown – Special Illustration Rare, 116/081
Gladion, Lillie’s brother from the Generation Seven mainline Pokémon games (and the player-character’s rival), also received two full-art rares in Pitch Black, much like Gwynn.
Once again, the strikingly illustrated SIR version will surely be the more valuable of the two, as full-art expert artist DOM delivers a sterling example of why SIRs remain the premier collectibles in the Pokémon TCG hobby: they’re colorful, dynamic, and utterly beautiful.
6. Misty’s Spirit – Ultra Rare, 108/081
Fan-favorite trainer Misty misses out on an SIR in Pitch Black, though her Ultra Rare full-art from the set will still likely set you back a pretty penny. Any character that was featured in the original Pokémon anime, Pokémon: Indigo League, will lead to higher prices for cards, and that will surely be the case with the energetic presence of Misty on this Trainer card.
5. Mega Zeraora ex – Special Illustration Rare, 112/081
Multiple new mega evolution forms represent the core of what will surely be the most sought-after cards from Pitch Black. Kicking them off is a new SIR showcasing the mega form for Electric-type legendary Pokémon Zeraora.
This high-powered ‘mon gets an amazing full-art treatment courtesy of GIDORA, whose stunning artwork showcases the Thunderclap Pokémon gathering energy for some kind of devastating Electric-type attack – probably its signature move, Plasma Fists.
4. Mega Chandelure ex – Special Illustration Rare, 113/081
Notable Ghost/Fire-type Pokémon Chandelure (the final evolution of Litwick) received a new mega evolution form in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and the first-ever full-art TCG version of that ‘mon will be present in Pitch Black in all its glory.
Fan-favorite artist REND delivers the powerfully eerie ‘mon its SIR rendition, and due to the scarcity of SIRs combined with this being Mega Chandelure’s first SIR, this card will surely be a notable chase from the set.
3. Morpeko ex – Special Illustration Rare, 115/081
Aesthetically similar to the most valuable card from Perfect Order, the striking Meowth ex SIR, this action-packed Morpeko ex SIR will bound to be a big hit from the TCG’s upcoming Pitch Black set.
Showcasing a Morpeko lunging directly at the player in its “Hangry Mode” form surrounded by vibrant colors of viridian, red, purple, and pink, this card is a truly staggering work of art courtesy of NC Empire. While it will surely be a high-dollar card, it’s bound to pale in comparison to the top two chase cards from the set…
2. Mega Darkrai ex – Mega Hyper Rare, 118/081
1. Mega Darkrai ex – Special Illustration Rare, 114/081
Much like the most valuable cards from Ascended Heroes and Chaos Rising, the most sought-after cards from Pitch Black are bound to be those featuring the box-art ‘mon from the set: Mega Darkrai.
As with prior sets, the all-gold Mega Hyper Rare will likely be less valuable than its reportedly less-rare full-art Special Illustration Rare. In this case, however, the AKIRA EGAWA-illustrated SIR is surely the more impressive card, so it’s no wonder that it will be the top chase card from Pitch Black overall.
Looking as if it came directly from a metal band’s tour poster, the terrifying presence of the eye-shaped Mega Darkrai harkens back to EGAWA’s work on the Crown Zenith Galarian Gallery foursome of Palkia, Dialga, Arceus, and, in particular, Giratina. Truly amazing art.
With each new Pokémon TCG set, hype for new full-art SIRs sends prerelease prices soaring. Once the market settles down, some cards will cool off. Others will prove they were real chases from the jump. For Pitch Black, that conversation almost certainly starts with Mega Darkrai, but the set has enough gorgeous, weird, and fan-favorite cards to keep collectors chasing well beyond the top spot.
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