The Ascended Heroes card list is the biggest in English Pokémon TCG history, with 295 cards. This special Mega Evolution set brought new Mega ex, a brand-new rarity and some of the most wanted cards of 2026. Here is how the set is built, which cards to chase and how to open it.

Ascended Heroes release date and set basics

The Ascended Heroes release date was January 30, 2026, at participating retailers worldwide, and the set arrived on Pokémon TCG Live a day earlier. In the US and Canada, the Elite Trainer Box and the Larry and Erika collections were pushed back to February 20, 2026. The cards became tournament-legal two weeks after the Elite Trainer Box and booster bundle launched.

Ascended Heroes is a special set inspired by Pokémon Legends: Z-A. That has two practical effects: there were no prerelease events, and there is no traditional booster box. Packs come only inside specialty products such as Elite Trainer Boxes, tins and collections. The set also marks the card debut of Mega Dragonite ex, while returning Mega ex and Trainer’s Pokémon get fresh artwork.

The Japanese version

In Japan, the cards come from the High Class Pack MEGA Dream ex, released on November 28, 2025, together with cards from the Start Deck 100 Battle Collection and a selection of alternate-art reprints. If you prefer Japanese packs, the Japanese MEGA Dream ex booster box is the closest match.

Ascended Heroes card list breakdown

The set code is ASC. The card list has 217 main set cards and 78 secret rares numbered 218 to 295. According to the official set announcement, the special cards break down like this:

13 Mega ex
6 Tera ex
20 Pokémon ex
33 illustration rares
14 ultra rares
7 Mega Attack Rares
22 special illustration rares

The set also introduced two new reverse holo patterns, an Energy pattern and a Poké Ball and Team Rocket pattern, which gives master set collectors even more to track. For every card with its number, see the complete Ascended Heroes list on Limitless.

Trainer’s Pokémon and returning favorites

Alongside the new Mega ex, the set brings back many Trainer’s Pokémon from recent years with new art. Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex, Lillie’s Clefairy ex, N’s Zoroark ex, Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex, Iono’s Bellibolt ex and Steven’s Metagross ex all return. For players who missed earlier sets, that makes Ascended Heroes a handy way to pick up popular cards in fresh versions.

What is a Mega Attack Rare?

The Mega Attack Rare is a new rarity that debuted in this set. Each one shows the Pokémon mid-attack, with the attack name written in Japanese katakana inside the artwork. It was first revealed at the 2025 World Championships and quickly became a fan favorite.

Ascended Heroes chase cards

Most of the value in the set sits in the special illustration rares and the two Mega Hyper Rares. These are the Ascended Heroes chase cards collectors talk about most.

Mega Gengar ex special illustration rare

Mega Gengar ex 284/217 was the top card by market value in March 2026. Its Japanese version is also the most expensive card in MEGA Dream ex, so demand is strong in both languages. Gengar fans can also pick up the Mega Gengar Tech Sticker Collection or the Mega Gengar ex Battle Deck.

Pikachu ex: the two Pikachu Ascended Heroes cards

There are two Pikachu ex special illustration rares, 276 and 277. As with every Pikachu chase card, they are among the most popular pulls in the set, with buyers ranging from Pikachu collectors to people opening their first packs.

The Mega Hyper Rares

Mega Charizard Y ex 294/217 and Mega Dragonite ex 295/217 are the set’s Mega Hyper Rares and the hardest cards to pull. Mega Dragonite ex also has a special illustration rare at 290/217, which makes it one of the stars of the set.

Other special illustration rares worth knowing

Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex 281 and Lillie’s Clefairy ex 280
N’s Zoroark ex 286 and Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex 287
Mega Feraligatr ex 274, Mega Meganium ex 272 and Mega Emboar ex 273
Mega Froslass 275, Mega Diancie 282 and Mega Hawlucha 283
Iono’s Bellibolt ex 279, Fezandipiti ex 288 and Steven’s Metagross ex 289
Trainer cards Canari 291, Iris’s Fighting Spirit 292 and Surfer 293

Ascended Heroes pull rates

The Pokémon Company has not published official odds. Community trackers suggest the Mega Hyper Rares turn up roughly once in every 1,000 packs, which is why so few have been graded so far. Special illustration rares are much more common than that, but still rare enough that most collectors trade for the ones they miss.

Ascended Heroes pull rates are community estimates, not official numbers. Small openings can be very lucky or very unlucky.

Is N’s Zekrom a pull?

No. N’s Zekrom is the illustration-rare-style promo that comes in the Elite Trainer Box. It is not part of the set’s special illustration rares, so you will not find it in regular packs.

How to open Ascended Heroes without a booster box

Because there is no booster box, your best options are the Elite Trainer Box, the Mega ex Box bundle, the tins and the mini tins. Collectors who want the most packs in one go usually combine an Elite Trainer Box with a tin or two. Our Ascended Heroes products guide compares every box, including the Pokémon Center edition.

Is Ascended Heroes worth collecting?

For most Pokémon fans, yes. The Ascended Heroes card list mixes brand-new Mega ex with popular Trainer’s Pokémon, so it appeals to both new and returning collectors. The size of the set means there is always another card to find, and the Mega Attack Rares give it a look no other set has.

The trade-off is cost. With no booster box and specialty products only, opening a lot of packs is more expensive than usual. If you mainly want one or two chase cards, buying those singles is often cheaper than opening sealed product. If you enjoy the opening itself, an Elite Trainer Box or a tin gives you a good mix of packs and extras, and sealed boxes are easy to store for later.

Tips for collecting the set

With 295 cards, a full master set is a big project. Many collectors start with the 22 special illustration rares and the Mega Attack Rares, then fill in the rest through trades. Sleeve every special card straight away, check centering before grading and keep a printed checklist in your binder so duplicates are easy to spot.

Ascended Heroes FAQ

What is the Ascended Heroes release date?

January 30, 2026. The Elite Trainer Box and the Larry and Erika collections followed on February 20, 2026, in the US and Canada.

How many cards are in Ascended Heroes?

There are 295 cards: 217 in the main set and 78 secret rares.

Is there an Ascended Heroes booster box?

No. It is a special set, so packs come only in Elite Trainer Boxes, tins, bundles and collections.

What is the best card in Ascended Heroes?

Mega Gengar ex 284/217 led market values in early 2026, with the Pikachu ex special illustration rares and the Mega Hyper Rares close behind.

More Mega Evolution guides

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Ascended Heroes Card List, Chase Cards and Pull Rates: Full Set Guide

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