The 12 Most Expensive Pitch Black Pokémon Cards
Wondering what the top chase cards from Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution – Pitch Black are?
While summer is a great time for the beach and plenty of sunshine, this July 17, 2026, Pokémon enriched our late nights with Pitch Black – an eerily dark set themed around ghosts and darkness, but still with plenty of fun.
Below, we’ll be diving into the most expensive Pitch Black cards based on current market data. Make sure to check back often: this guide will update every day so you can know the latest market trends and shifts as they happen.
#1 Mega Darkrai ex – Special Illustration Rare is the top chase card in Pitch Black
Mega Darkrai ex - 116/084
ME05: Pitch Black • Special Illustration Rare
Market Value
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The Mega Darkrai ex Special Illustration Rare (SIR) is one of the most terrifyingly cool SIR cards we’ve ever had. While its artwork leans heavily into Darkrai’s lore, you don’t need to know a ton about this misunderstood Pokémon to recognize the potential value of a card like this. By defying expectations and going much darker than we’re used to, Mega Darkrai ex SIR raises the bar high for Pokémon TCG artworks.
And while it’s price has generally cooled since the set came out, this is one of those darker artworks that tend to do well in value over time. Similar cards – like the Giratina V alt art from Lost Origin or Lugia V from Silver Tempest – also started low after release with an eventual rebound.
#2 Mega Darkrai ex – Mega Hyper Rare
Mega Darkrai ex - 120/084
ME05: Pitch Black • Mega Hyper Rare
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While sometimes Mega Hyper Rare cards can outperform their SIR alternates (as we saw in Perfect Order), Pitch Black isn’t one of those sets. While the Mega Hyper Rare is pretty enough, it’s not got the kind of insane allure that causes you to do a real double-take the way the SIR does. It’s still an insanely difficult-to-pull chase card (pull rate data puts odds over 1 in 1000 packs) featuring a memorable Pokémon which lends it plenty of value. But the real top chase of this set is decidedly the SIR.
#3 Morpeko ex – Special Illustration Rare
Morpeko ex - 117/084
ME05: Pitch Black • Special Illustration Rare
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Morpeko always felt like a dark version of Pikachu, and as such gets some insane extra-cute boost to its value in my books. Indeed, this card has proven itself to be the second most valuable Special Illustration Rare card in the set thanks largely to just how cute (and terrifying) this Pokémon is in contrast to the franchise’s mascot.
And just in case you are tempted to overlook this currently trending card – don’t forget that Morpeko was one of the top chase cards of Paradox Rift thanks to this same cute-but-devious nature, lending precedent to its top -chase status.
#4 Mega Zeraora ex – Special Illustration Rare
Mega Zeraora ex - 114/084
ME05: Pitch Black • Special Illustration Rare
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I love the Pokémon: Power of Us movie which features Zeraora prominently, so I can’t help but be very excited about this particular card entering the Pokémon TCG. In it, the unique colors of the Mega form take center stage. I especially like the blue lighting effects surrounding this Pokémon’s undeniably powerful-seeming aura.
With that being said, Zeraora is not necessarily the most bankable Pokémon in the world. Yet, this set feels a little bit like a misfit set, filled to the brim with your not-so-typical cast of Pokémon characters, and being headlined by the very misfit Darkrai.
That combined with the Alola Pokémon’s inclusion in the Pokémon Legends: Z-A DLC that this set is based on, Mega Zeraora ex suddenly feels oddly at home in this quirky summer set.
#5 Mega Chandelure ex – Special Illustration Rare
Mega Chandelure ex - 115/084
ME05: Pitch Black • Special Illustration Rare
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Mega Darkrai ex SIR may encapsulate the core meaning of Pitch Black. However, Mega Chandelure ex makes a strong, supporting argument for it. This spooky specter is shrouded in the same sort of pitch blackness as the former, appearing to almost be creeping towards you the longer you stare into its artwork. The realism of the Pokémon’s design itself is a stark contrast to the sparse background, while its deft handling of darkness and light only draws the eye into the card more deeply.
Yet for all that, this card’s potential on the secondary card market is a far cry from that of the top chase. Indeed, the polarization that we’ve now seen in sets like Phantasmal Flames and Chaos Rising seems to be at play once again in Pitch Black. The top chase cards are already faring very well on the secondary market. Everything else (other than Morpeko ex) is worth noticeably less.
#6 Gwynn – Special Illustration Rare
Gwynn - 119/084
ME05: Pitch Black • Special Illustration Rare
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Gwynn is a recent trainer hailing from the Pokémon Legends: Z-A game. She boasts a decently powerful effect for players, essentially letting you pick and choose the cards you discard while drawing up to six.
However, the real “draw” for this particular Supporter is how well she pairs with Mega Chandelure ex: her Pokémon partner in the lore. Collectors will want to bag both of these SIRs to have the set. And honestly, given the captivating nature of this artwork, it’s no surprise to see it ending up the top SIR Supporter of Pitch Black.
#7 Gladion’s Final Battle – Special Illustration Rare
Gladion's Final Battle - 118/084
ME05: Pitch Black • Special Illustration Rare
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Gladion is the big brother to mega-popular trainer, Lillie. While the real trainer is too-cool-for-school and a bit aloof, Gladion’s Final Battle, meanwhile, boasts a powerful ability that’s a game changer in certain decks.
Having a connecting artwork with one of the Illustration Rare cards adds some mystique here as always (it connects with the Silvally Illustration Rare card). And while not featuring the most recognizable of trainers, Gladion’s Final Battle has proven some early resilience on the secondary card market.
#8 Misty’s Vitality – Ultra Rare
Misty's Vitality - 111/084
ME05: Pitch Black • Ultra Rare
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Misty cards are usually a safe bet. She’s one of the more popular trainers of all time, thanks of course to her involvement with the original Pokémon generation. Here Misty is decidedly in her gym leader element, however: not the iconic outfit the anime gave her.
While her lesser rarity will prevent her from being the top Supporter from the set in terms of value, her early market price is impressive enough for an Ultra Rare.
#9 Slowbro – Illustration Rare
Slowbro - 090/084
ME05: Pitch Black • Illustration Rare
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Pitch Black’s Slowbro Illustration Rare has been getting a steady stream of attention ever since it was originally spoiled back when Japan’s Abyss Eye came out. While some Illustration Rare (IR) cards punch above their weight thanks to their beauty, this one is doing well thanks to just how intriguing this nighttime scene is.
Typically, every modern set has one standout IR that punches above its weight in the value department. Pitch Black has several of these, including the Goldeen and Primarina IRs. However, with market data solidifying since release day, it’s clear that the Slowbro IR is this set’s sleeper chase.
#10 Mega Darkrai ex – Ultra Rare
Mega Darkrai ex - 101/084
ME05: Pitch Black • Ultra Rare
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As we’ve established, Pitch Black is as much a Darkrai set as Chaos Rising was a Greninja set, and Phantasmal Flames was a Charizard set. As such, it feels inevitable that we’d see the Ultra Rare version of the show-runner itself ending up as one of the most valuable cards.
#11 Goldeen – Illustration Rare
Goldeen - 087/084
ME05: Pitch Black • Illustration Rare
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Let me start by saying I love this Goldeen’s artwork. The underwater theme, the interplay of light and dark just above the oceanic floor, and even the wavy shapes of the Goldeen themselves bring life to the still artwork that makes this card feel more like a moment captured in time than simply an illustration.
Partly for that reason and the fact that Goldeen is an original 151 Pokémon, this card was my original pick for the top Illustration Rare for Pitch Black. Right now, while one other is beating it to that title, it’s still easily one of the upper-tier chase cards you can find in Pitch Black booster packs.
#12 Gwynn – Ultra Rare
Gwynn - 109/084
ME05: Pitch Black • Ultra Rare
Market Value
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Last up we have Gwynn’s Ultra Rare. Not only is this the final card on my list, it’s also the last card from the top Pitch Black chase cards to be worth over $10.
And it’s not incredibly surprising to see Gwynn end up in the final spot. Indeed, this somewhat follows previous trends – like how in Phantasmal Flames the top Supporter’s SIR and Ultra Rare prints made it into the top 12. The general rule is, if an SIR supporter is popular enough to demand a top spot, its Ultra Rare will follow: just like what we see with Pokémon.
While not a massive set like some we’ve seen, Pitch Black is a decidedly smart set. It’s taking a bold risk with the likes of the decidedly dark Mega Darkrai ex, while including a solid mix of new faces and nostalgic favorites. With desirable top hits, and plenty of gorgeous Illustration Rare cards, Pitch Black is a reasonable set to try and master, while also delivering plenty of value and collectibility to appeal to a broad audience.
