Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes is a special expansion in the Mega Evolution Series that celebrates the return of powerful Mega Evolution Pokémon ex and introduces new gameplay twists for collectors and competitive players. Centered around dynamic artwork and high-impact attacks, it is positioned as a major release for the 2026 Pokémon TCG lineup.
Set overview
Ascended Heroes is the first special (holiday-style) expansion of the Mega Evolution Series and is themed around the video game Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It brings back Mega Evolution Pokémon ex alongside Tera Pokémon ex, standard Pokémon ex, and Trainer’s Pokémon cards with new illustration styles.
With over 290 cards, Ascended Heroes is described as the largest Pokémon TCG expansion released in English and several European languages, surpassing Fusion Strike’s card count. The set is scheduled for release in English and other Western languages on January 30, 2026, and is legal for Standard-format play.
Mega Evolution focus
Mega Evolution—Ascended Heroes puts Mega Dragonite ex at center stage, supported by a roster of fan-favorite Mega Evolution Pokémon. The expansion includes new Mega Evolution cards such as Mega Dragonite, Mega Froslass, Mega Hawlucha, Mega Eelektross, and Mega Scraggy, as well as returning icons like Mega Charizard and Mega Gengar.
A new “Mega attack rare” rarity debuts in this set, featuring full-art Mega Evolution Pokémon ex rendered in a bold, pop art style. These cards highlight the Pokémon’s signature attack with oversized text and even swap languages between artwork and text (Japanese on English cards and vice versa), echoing the stylistic flair of older XY-era Mega Pokémon-EX.
Rarities and card types
Ascended Heroes pulls from Japanese subsets including MEGA Dream ex and the Start Deck 100 Battle Collection, consolidating a large variety of cards into one release. The expansion is reported to contain 13 Mega Evolution Pokémon ex, six Tera Pokémon ex, and 20 additional Pokémon ex.
Collectors can also expect a deep rarity ladder, including 33 illustration rare Pokémon, 14 ultra rare cards (spanning Mega Evolution Pokémon ex, Pokémon ex, and Trainer cards), seven Mega attack rares, and 22 special illustration rares that showcase Pokémon ex and Supporter cards in highly detailed scenes. This structure positions Ascended Heroes as a chase-heavy set with strong appeal for both collectors and players.
Holiday-style product lineup
Ascended Heroes functions as a holiday or special set, meaning it does not follow the typical main-set product configuration. Unlike standard expansions, it does not receive traditional booster boxes, and its sealed product lineup is built around themed items and bundles that tend to have more limited distribution.
Planned products tied to the set include booster packs, 3-pack blisters, mini tins, a booster bundle, a special “Collection” product, and an Elite Trainer Box that provides accessories and an exclusive promo card. Holiday sets like this are often perceived as having lower overall print volume compared to regular sets, which can contribute to long-term collectability.
Competitive and collector appeal
Because Ascended Heroes is Standard-legal and introduces the “J” regulation mark to international formats, it is positioned to have a significant impact on competitive decks. The mix of Mega Evolution Pokémon ex, Tera Pokémon ex, and Trainer’s Pokémon offers new strategic options, while high-rarity chase cards and special illustration rares drive interest from collectors.
For players and fans, Mega Evolution—Ascended Heroes serves as both a nostalgic nod to the XY Mega era and a forward-looking expansion aligned with Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s world and characters. Its combination of powerful Mega cards, large set size, and holiday-set exclusivity positions it as one of the standout Pokémon TCG releases of early 2026.
