Pokemon TCG Mega Evolution Set: Complete Guide and Chase Cards
Complete guide to Pokemon TCG Mega Evolution, the base set of the Mega Evolution Series. Full chase card list with real prices, Mega ex mechanic explained, grading advice.
- Set
- Mega Evolution
- Released
- September 26, 2025
- Total cards
- 188
- Printed
- 132
What you need to know
Mega Evolution released September 26, 2025 and set the template for every subsequent expansion in the block. 188 cards, eight Mega Evolution ex Pokemon, and a top-of-set tier that clears $200 raw. If you skipped this set at release, prices have held up: the base Mega set is the most historically significant Mega block release and reprints have not touched it.
The base set that introduced the Mega ex mechanic
Mega Evolution is the first expansion of the Mega Evolution Series and the set that reintroduced the Mega Evolution mechanic to the Pokemon TCG. Every Mega Evolution Pokemon ex is worth three Prize cards when knocked out, printed with the distinctive black-and-yellow ex symbol. The set includes eight Mega Evolution ex cards across the base numbered range and doubles them up with alt-art and hyper rare prints in the secret rare tier. Mega Lucario ex and Mega Gardevoir ex anchor the market.
The chase cards of Mega Evolution
Live market prices from real eBay sales. Updated hourly. Tap any card for the full graded price ladder and recent sales.
Mega Lucario ex#188 · Mega Hyper Rare$262.51rawMega Lucario ex MHR is the top-market card in the set at around $250 raw. Gold-treatment full art. PSA 10 potential is strong when the frame prints without edge lines.
Mega Lucario ex#179 · Special Illustration Rare$193.04rawMega Lucario ex SIR. Around $215 raw. Alt-art print. Often the preferred version among collectors because the illustration is stronger than the MHR treatment.
Mega Gardevoir ex#187 · Mega Hyper Rare$199.37rawMega Gardevoir ex MHR at around $200 raw. Second-strongest MHR in the set. Gardevoir art has historically outperformed price expectations across every era.
Mega Gardevoir ex#178 · Special Illustration Rare$189.83rawMega Gardevoir ex SIR at around $180 raw. Alt-art print. Top choice if you collect Gardevoir specifically.
Mega Venusaur ex#177 · Special Illustration Rare$154.30rawMega Venusaur ex SIR at around $160 raw. Original starter Pokemon appeal keeps this card moving. Traditionally a slow-and-steady climber.
Mega Latias ex#181 · Special Illustration Rare$84.48rawMega Latias ex SIR at around $90 raw. Legendary Mega alt art. Watch the recent-sales chart before pulling the trigger.
Lillie's Determination#184 · Special Illustration Rare Trainer$64.26rawLillie's Determination is the standout Supporter card, at around $60 raw. Lillie cards from every era have outperformed baseline trainer alt arts.
Pull rates and box math
Estimates based on public pull rate data and community reports.
- Mega Hyper Rares pull around 1 in 220 packs. Booster boxes average zero to one MHR.
- Special Illustration Rares pull around 1 in 45 packs. Booster boxes reliably yield 8 to 10 SIR hits across all cards.
- Mega Lucario ex is one of 8 SIRs, so pulling this specific card in a box is around 1 in 5.
- Original English print run is the value target. Later reprints have not materially changed availability, so the initial release is the collectible print.
- Elite Trainer Boxes with the base Mega Evolution branding are becoming harder to find sealed. If you see one at retail, it is worth grabbing.
Should you grade the chase cards?
Grade-or-sell recommendations by card, based on current PSA 10 sold prices.
- Mega Lucario ex MHR (#188): grade if raw is $200+ and centering is at least 55/45. PSA 10 sells for 3 to 4 times raw.
- Mega Lucario ex SIR (#179): grade any clean Near Mint copy. The alt art has stronger PSA 10 premiums than the MHR.
- Mega Gardevoir ex SIR (#178) and Mega Venusaur ex SIR (#177): grade if you have PSA 9 or PSA 10 expectation. The set premium supports the fee.
- Everything else in the top 8: sell raw or hold ungraded. The break-even math does not work until raw values push over $80.
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Frequently asked about Mega Evolution
When did the Mega Evolution set release?
September 26, 2025 in North America and October 10, 2025 in EMEA regions. This is the first expansion in the Mega Evolution Series.What are the chase cards in Mega Evolution?
Mega Lucario ex Mega Hyper Rare (#188) and Special Illustration Rare (#179) are the top two. Mega Gardevoir ex MHR (#187) and SIR (#178), Mega Venusaur ex SIR (#177), Mega Latias ex SIR (#181), and Lillie's Determination SIR (#184) round out the top seven.How much is Mega Lucario ex worth?
The Mega Hyper Rare print (#188) sells for around $250 raw. The Special Illustration Rare (#179) sells for around $215 raw. Regular ex prints of Mega Lucario ex sell for under $20.Is the Mega Evolution set a good investment?
The base Mega Evolution set is the historically significant one because it introduced the mechanic to the modern game. First-block premium is real. Sealed booster boxes have held their release-day value and second-tier alt arts have trended up.How many cards are in the Mega Evolution set?
188 total. 132 in the printed base set and 56 in the secret rare tier including all alt arts and hyper rares.
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