Pokémon TCG: Ascended Heroes — The Complete Set Guide

The Biggest Pokémon Set Ever Made#

Ascended Heroes (German: Erhabene Helden) launched on January 30, 2026 as the first special expansion in the new Mega Evolution series of the Pokémon TCG. With 217 unique cards and 78 secret rares, it totals 295 cards — the highest card count of any international Pokémon set ever released.

The set is based on the Japanese expansion Mega Dream ex and is thematically tied to the 2025 Nintendo Switch video game Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It marks the official return of Mega Evolution mechanics to the Pokémon TCG.

What's in the Set#

Ascended Heroes introduces several new rarity structures alongside the standard lineup:

• Pokémon ex including new and returning Mega Evolution forms
• Trainer's Pokémon — a new mechanic featuring Pokémon belonging to named NPCs from Legends: Z-A
• Stellar Tera Pokémon ex continuing from the Scarlet & Violet era
• Mega Attack Rares — a new rarity treatment debuting in this set, featuring Mega Pokémon ex in the middle of their signature attacks
• Mega Hyper Rares — full-gold etched versions of select Mega Evolution cards

The set also introduces two parallel holofoil variants on lower-rarity cards: one featuring a Poké Ball motif and one featuring the type energy symbol of the Pokémon on the card.

Featured Pokémon#

The headline cards of the set are drawn directly from the Mega Evolution roster. Key Pokémon featured include:

• Mega Dragonite ex — the cover card, featured across booster pack artwork
• Mega Charizard Y ex — replaces Mega Charizard X ex (which was present in the Japanese version) and appears as one of two Mega Hyper Rares
• Mega Lucario ex and Mega Gardevoir ex — featured as Double Rares rather than Mega Attack Rares
• Pikachu ex — present in Special Illustration Rare form
• Mewtwo and Ho-Oh — featured on booster pack artwork alongside Mega Pokémon

The Chase Cards#

With 78 secret rares across a 295-card set, Ascended Heroes has a deep and competitive chase structure. The cards drawing the most collector attention are the nine Eeveelution-adjacent Special Illustration Rares and the Mega Attack Rares with their distinct high-action artwork style.

Mega Hyper Rares — the two gold-etched ultra-rares in the set — represent the absolute top of the pull ladder. These are among the rarest cards in the entire Mega Evolution series.

Who Is This Set For#

Nostalgia-driven collectors will find Ascended Heroes especially appealing. Mega Evolution was a fan-favourite mechanic from the X and Y era, and seeing Mega Charizard Y, Mega Lucario, and Mega Dragonite return in modern card form is genuinely exciting for anyone who collected during that generation.

Master set hunters have a significant challenge here. With 295 cards total and a wide range of rarity treatments — including the new Mega Attack Rare class — completing the set requires substantial investment across multiple pack formats.

Sealed product collectors have an extended release schedule to work with. Ascended Heroes is being released in multiple waves: booster packs and Top Trainer Boxes launched January 30, with Elite Trainer Boxes, Mini Tins, Premium Poster Collections, Deluxe Pin Collections, and Mega Starter Collections following through April and beyond.

Investors should note that sealed Scarlet & Violet era products have historically appreciated 100–200% over 18 months. Ascended Heroes benefits from the evergreen appeal of Mega Evolution nostalgia and a first-of-its-kind position in the Mega Evolution series. That said, the modern market is saturated and short-term prices can be volatile after release.

Products Available#

Ascended Heroes is available in the following formats, released in waves:

• Booster packs and Top Trainer Box (Wave 1, January 30)
• Elite Trainer Box and Mini Tins (Wave 2)
• Premium Poster Collection (Wave 3)
• Mega Starter Collection — three separate boxes featuring each Mega starter, each with a foil promo and alternate illustration oversize card (Wave 4)

Tracking Your Ascended Heroes Collection on Byndr#

Ascended Heroes is fully indexed in Byndr. You can search for individual cards, track your set completion progress, and monitor estimated market values. If you're hunting specific Secret Rares or Mega Hyper Rares, the Chase Cards section shows you the most valuable pulls from the set so you know exactly what you're aiming for.