IntroductionThe next set in the Mega Evolution block is named Pitch Black. The main Pokémon in it is Mega Darkrai, which was also featured in the game Legends Z-A, more specifically in the Mega Dimension DLC. It was one of the many old Pokémon that got a Mega Evolution, and the community was split on it: while some liked the new design, others didn't because, in their eyes, it didn't make sense and felt like the team behind it didn't put much thought into it.Furthermore, this set also includes Mega Zeraora, Mega Chandelure, and Mega Excadrill. It will be the 5th base set in this block and will come out on July 17th, 2026!Without further ado, let's review the new set!Pitch Black - The New SetThis base set was based on the Japanese set Abyss Eye (アビスアイ), which came out on May 22nd, 2026. The Western version, as we mentioned before, will come out on July 17th, 2026.LogosProductsWestern BoostersJapanese BoostersElite Trainer BoxRegular version:This box includes:- 1 coin flip die and 6 damage counter dice.- 65 card sleeves featuring the main Pokémon in the box.- Plastic condition markers.- Card dividers and a box to put your cards in.- A "Pitch Black Player's Guide".- An online code for TCG Live.- 9 boosters in the regular ETB. Each booster includes 11 cards (10 Pokémon or Trainers and 1 basic energy), as well as an online code for TCG Live.Furthermore, the promo card in each ETB is "Zarude".Price: US$49.99.Pokémon Center version:The difference between this ETB and the regular version is that this one includes 11 boosters instead of 9. Furthermore, the promo card (an Illustration Rare) features the Pokémon Center logo.Price: US$59.99.Booster BoxThis box includes 36 Pitch Black boosters. A single booster usually costs US$4.49, but this box with 36 boosters costs around US$161.64.Blister Unitary Booster / Sleeved BoosterPrice: US$4.49.Triple Pack: BinaclePrice: US$13.99 each.Checklane Blister: SlowpokePrice: US$5.49 each.Checklane Blister: Gengar X LuxrayPrice: US$5.49 each.Checklane Blister (Target Exclusive): Tyrantrum X AurorusPrice: US$5.49 each.Booster Display BoxThis box includes 18 Pitch Black boosters.Price: TBA.Booster BundleThis bundle includes 6 Pitch Black boosters.Price: US$26.94 each.Build and Battle Box/Pre-Release KitThis box includes 6 Pitch Black boosters, as well as a "fraction" of a deck. This deck centers around one of the promo Pokémon in this kit, and this promo Pokémon will feature the set's logo.Price: US$21.99 each.Pitch Black: Card ReviewJust like the previous set, Pitch Black will center around Mega Evolution ex. However, unlike the original X&Y mechanic, you don't need Spiritual Links to Mega Evolvethese cards and keep playing without passing your turn. Now, you can evolve them naturally following a few basic rules.To make them balanced, The Pokémon Company added a drawback: all Mega Evolutions give out 3 Prize cards when they're knocked out. This is similar to older mechanics, like Pokémon TAG TEAM-GX, Pokémon VMax, and Pokémon VUnion.Pre-Release CardsMiraidonBasic Pokémon.- Ability: Photon Cord - If this Pokémon is in your active spot and is knocked out by an attack from the opponent's active Pokémon, you may move 2 basic energies attached to it to one of your benched Pokémon.- Attack: Thunder (L)(L) - This attack deals 90 damage to the opponent's active Pokémon and 30 damage to Miraidon itself.SlowbroStage 1 Pokémon. It evolves from Slowpoke.- Attack: All Out (P) - This attack deals 50 damage. If you don't have any cards in hand, it deals 160 extra damage.- Attack: Zen Headbutt (C)(C)(C) - This attack deals 110 damage.DhelmiseBasic Pokémon.- Attack: Vengeful Anchor (P) - This attack deals 30 damage. If you have 4 Pokémon or more in play that have the Hide 'n' Sneak ability, it deals 140 extra damage.BastiodonStage 1 Pokémon. It evolves from Shieldon.- Ability: Ancient Bulwark - While this Pokémon is on your bench, prevent all damage dealt to your benched Pokémon by enemy attacks.- Attack: Hammer In (M)(M)(C) - This attack deals 160 damage.Mega Pokémon exMega Delphox exStage 2 Pokémon. It evolves from Braixen.- Attack: Trick Portal (F) - Look at the top 9 cards in your deck. You may pick any number of Pokémon you find among them and put them directly on your bench (basic or evolution, with or without Rule Box).- Attack: Eerie Glow (F)(C)(C) - This attack deals 200 damage and makes the opponent's active Pokémon Burned and Confused.This card was originally released in Japan in a product called Gym Promo. So far, we don't know if it will actually be included in Pitch Black. But we can guess that it will be because Western sets usually import cards from Gym Promos to fill their slots. One such case was Mega Gallade ex, which was also originally released in a Gym Promo and came to the west as part of the Chaos Rising set.Mega Zeraora exBasic Pokémon.- Attack: Thunderous Fist (L) - This attack deals 60 damage for each Electric energy attached to this Pokémon.- Attack: Zepto Turn (L)(L)(L) - This attack deals 150 damage. After that, you may swap this Pokémon for one of your benched Pokémon.Mega Chandelure exStage 2 Pokémon. It evolves from Lampent.- Ability: Binding Flame - To retreat their active Pokémon, the opponent has to spend 1 extra colorless energy (C).- Attack: Phantom Maze (P)(P): This attack deals 130 damage plus 50 damage for each colorless energy (C) the opponent has to spend to retreat their active Pokémon.Mega Darkrai exBasic Pokémon.- Attack: Night Raid (D)(D) - This attack deals 110 damage, plus 110 extra damage if one of your benched Pokémon has any damage counters.- Attack: Abyss Eye (D)(D)(D) - If the opponent's active Pokémon is under any special conditions (Burned, Poisoned, Asleep, Confused, or Paralyzed), it is instantly knocked out!Mega Excadrill exStage 1 Pokémon. It evolves from Drilbur.- Attack: Undermine (M)(M) - This attack deals 90 damage and discards the top 2 cards in the opponent's deck.- Attack: Maximum Drilling (M)(M)(M): This attack deals 200 damage. If this Pokémon has at least 2 extra Metal energies attached to it (besides the ones you need to use this attack), it deals 130 extra damage.TrainersSupportersFrom left to right:- Misty's Energy: If you play this card, your turn ends immediately! Look in your deck for up to 4 basic Water energies and attach them to one of your Pokémon. Next, shuffle your deck.- Gladion's Decisive Battle: You can only play this card if it is the last card you have in hand. If you do, attacks from your non-Rule Box Pokémon deal 80 extra damage to the opponent's active Pokémon.- Gwynn: Discard 2 Pokémon from your hand (that don't have a Rule Box). Next, draw 3 cards for each Pokémon you discarded this way.- Rust Syndicate Grunt: You can only play this card if one of your Pokémon was knocked out on the previous turn. Discard 1 energy (basic or special) attached to an enemy Pokémon.ItemsFrom left to right:- Dark Bell: Both active Pokémon (yours and the opponent's) are now Confused, except for Darkness Pokémon.- Antique Skull Fossil: This card enters play as a colorless Pokémon with 60 HP that can't retreat or is affected by special conditions. At any point in your turn, you may discard this card from play.- Ability: Spiky Skull - If this Pokémon is in your active spot and takes damage from the opponent's active Pokémon, put 3 damage counters on that attacking Pokémon. This card eventually "evolves" into Cranidos.- Antique Armor Fossil: This card enters play as a colorless Pokémon with 60 HP that can't retreat or is affected by any special conditions. At any point in your turn, you may discard this card from play.- Ability: Armor Protection - While this Pokémon is in your active spot, enemy attacks deal 10 damage less to all your Pokémon. This card eventually evolves into Shieldon.ToolsFrom left to right:- Heroic Bomb: If the Pokémon that has this tool attached isn't a Mega Pokémon ex and takes 240 damage or more from an attack on the opponent's Mega Pokémon ex, put 12 damage counters on that Mega Pokémon ex. Next, discard this tool.- Backtrack Badge: You can only attach this tool to a colorless Pokémon. If the colorless (C) Pokémon that has this tool attached uses a "coin flip" attack, you may ignore the result of the coin flip and flip the coin again.StadiumFossil QuarryDuring your own turn, any player can look in your deck for up to 2 Antique items and put them directly on their bench. Next, they must shuffle their deck.Special EnergiesFrom left to right:- Voltaic (L) Energy: You can only attach this card to an Electric Pokémon. It gives Electric Energy and makes the Electric Pokémon it is attached to deal 20 extra damage to the opponent's active Pokémon.- Shadowy (D) Energy: You can only attach this card to a Darkness Pokémon. It gives Darkness Energy, and, while it is attached to one of your benched Darkness Pokémon, it protects that Pokémon from damage dealt by enemy attacks.Final WordsWhat do you think? Tell us your thoughts in our comment section below.Thank you for reading, and see you next time!
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