Pitch Black (ME05) releases this Friday, July 17. It’s the fifth mainline set of the Mega Evolution era, and if the last four releases are any guide, the smart way to buy it is not the obvious way. Here’s the short version of what the era’s price history has taught us.
Where ME05 fits
The era so far: Mega Evolution launched in September 2025, followed by Phantasmal Flames in November, Ascended Heroes in January, Perfect Order in March, and Chaos Rising in May. If you’re new to the era entirely, our Mega Evolution spotlight is the five minute version.
What four releases of price data say
- Release weekend is the most expensive time to buy staples. Every ME set so far has followed the same curve: playable rares and trainers open high while supply is thin, then settle well below their release-week prices within a few weeks. If a card is a four-of in decks, patience has been rewarded every single time.
- The chase holds better than the middle. Top Mega ex Special Illustration Rares keep their value far better than ordinary ex cards, and this era’s surprise has been trainer SIRs. Popular trainer cards in special art have been some of the most traded singles of the year, and they’ve been slower to fall after release than the rest of the set.
- Deck commons cost pennies if you wait. The commons and uncommons every deck needs are printed to oblivion. Two weeks after release they’re usually a fraction of their launch price.
How to play it
- Decide up front whether you’re buying to play or to collect. It changes everything about timing.
- If you need cards for a launch event, buy only what the deck needs and accept the release premium on those specific cards.
- For everything else, put price alerts on the cards you want. Every card page has an alert button, and you’ll get an email when a card drops below your target instead of checking prices every day.
- Once the data settles, the most-valuable list for the set will be on our value guides page alongside the other ME sets.
Pitch Black card pages go live in our catalog right around street date, and our stores list singles as they crack product. Until then, the rest of the era is already here.