Mega Evolution Pokémon are making a long-awaited comeback to the Pokémon Trading Card Game, and the community is absolutely buzzing with excitement. It’s been nearly a decade since we last saw Mega Evolution cards in the TCG (they last appeared back in 2016 during the XY era), so this new set has both collectors and casual fans hyped for a blast of nostalgia and fresh surprises. In this upcoming expansion (rumored to be titled “Phantasmal Flames”), classic fan-favorite Mega Pokémon will take center stage, brand-new Megas will debut, and special promo cards will sweeten the deal for those snagging Elite Trainer Boxes. Below, we break down everything you need to know to get pumped for the Mega Evolutions set – including the superstar cards, exclusive promos, and how to be ready when TCG Stadium drops preorders soon!
Fan-Favorite Mega Pokémon Headline the New Set
Mega Charizard X soars again – one of the superstar cards in the new set. Fans can’t wait to pull this fiery favorite!
The upcoming set is bringing back some of the most iconic Mega Evolution Pokémon as marquee cards, much to the delight of long-time fans. Leading the charge is none other than Mega Charizard and Mega Gengar, two hugely popular monsters that are guaranteed to be chase cards for collectors. Leaked images from product booklets have essentially confirmed Mega Lucario EX and Mega Gengar EX will appear in the set (they’re even featured on the Elite Trainer Box artwork). This means we can expect stunning new card art and powerful abilities for both.
In fact, the set appears to focus on a fire-and-ghost theme, which makes sense given Charizard and Gengar’s presence. The English set name “Phantasmal Flames” itself hints at phantoms and fire. According to reliable reports, this set will feature cards from Japan’s Inferno X expansion (likely centered on Charizard) as well as the Mega Gengar & Mega Diancie decks. In plain terms: Mega Charizard EX, Mega Gengar EX, and even Mega Diancie EX are all expected to be headliners of the set. Just imagining Mega Charizard’s card – possibly in its sleek black X form with blue flames – alongside a menacing Mega Gengar EX is enough to give any Pokéfan goosebumps!
Some of the key highlights we know so far include:
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Mega Charizard EX – Back in mega form for the first time since 2016. Charizard is arguably the TCG’s most beloved character, and this card is expected to feature incredible artwork (possibly with its Mega X design) and high damage output. It’s practically destined to be the set’s poster child and a must-have pull for collectors.
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Mega Gengar EX – The fan-favorite Ghost-type returns, likely with a gorgeous card that captures Mega Gengar’s spooky, grinning glory. This card will thrill collectors who love Ghost and Poison Pokémon, and if past Mega Gengar cards are any indication, it could have a tricky, fun ability in gameplay too. Gengar’s popularity plus limited past TCG representation (its last Mega card was many years ago) means this one will be hot!
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Mega Diancie EX – A Mythical Pokémon that didn’t get as much time in the TCG spotlight before, Diancie’s Mega form will sparkle in this set. In Japan it was featured in its own deck, and now English collectors can look forward to this gem-encrusted Fairy mega in all its glory. Mega Diancie EX is expected to have a beautiful, glittering card (perhaps even a special illustration rare) that will appeal to fans of the Kalos era.
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Even More Megas – Beyond the big headliners, plenty of other Mega Evolutions will appear throughout the set. We’ll see classics like Mega Lucario, Mega Gardevoir, Mega Absol, Mega Blastoise and more returning on cards, and amazingly, some Mega forms that never ever got a card before are finally getting their due. (For example, Mega Abomasnow – introduced in 2013’s X&Y games – never had a TCG card until now, so this set is truly bringing everybody to the party!) Long-time collectors are thrilled that the Pokémon Company is making up for lost time by filling in those gaps.
Aside from the Pokémon themselves, what about the game mechanics? Not to get too technical – casual collectors, have no fear – but the Mega Evolution mechanic is being updated in the TCG. In the old XY days, Mega Evolution cards were so powerful that evolving into one ended your turn. This time around, the designers are balancing Megas in a new way: when a Mega Pokémon ex is knocked out, your opponent takes 3 Prize cards instead of the usual 2. In other words, Mega Evolution Pokémon ex will be high-risk, high-reward cards similar to how VMAX cards worked. They’ll likely have massive HP and attacks, but opponents get a big payoff for taking them down. This little detail is exciting because it shows the game is adapting the Mega concept into the modern era, and it makes collecting these cards even more interesting – they’re literally game-changers!
All told, the stage is set for an expansion that celebrates Mega Evolutions in a big way. Charizard, Gengar, and more are back as ultra-powerful Pokémon ex, complete with modern foil treatments and (we suspect) some of the most stunning artwork the TCG has produced to date. Keep an eye out for special art rares featuring battles between Mega Pokémon too – rumor has it some cards will depict epic showdowns (one leak showed Mega Lucario trading blows with a furious Mega Venusaur in the background, giving us serious nostalgia vibes). It’s the perfect mix of old-school cool and new artwork style.
Mega Dragonite?! A Surprise Newcomer Stirs Debate
One of the biggest surprises surrounding this new set is the possible inclusion of Mega Dragonite – a brand-new Mega Evolution that has never existed in the TCG (or even the mainline games) until now. Dragonite is a beloved Generation 1 Pokémon that, up to this point, never had a Mega form. That changed recently when Pokémon Legends: Z-A, an upcoming video game, revealed Mega Dragonite for the first time. The reveal of Mega Dragonite caused an explosion of chatter in the Pokémon world – and naturally, TCG fans are salivating at the thought that this new Mega could get its first card in the Mega Evolution set as a cross-promotion. In fact, PokéBeach and other sources speculate that Phantasmal Flames (the November set) will be the first TCG expansion to feature the new Mega Dragonite, since it releases shortly after the Legends: Z-A game launch.
So, what’s the deal with Mega Dragonite? By all accounts, it’s a striking redesign of the lovable Dragon/Flying Pokémon – Mega Dragonite sports serpentine features reminiscent of Dragonair, including feathery white wing-like ears on its head and even a mystical pearl on its tail. It basically looks like Dragonite has tapped into its elegant pre-evolution’s traits, gaining a more angelic, ethereal appearance. Many fans were overjoyed to see Dragonite finally get a Mega form (it’s something the fandom has wished for since 2013), but the design has also sparked debate. Some people were initially baffled by the head wings and the overall cutesy, angelic style – it’s quite different from the bulkier classic Dragonite we know. On social media and forums, opinions have ranged from “It looks awful!” to “No way, this is even better than some of the old Megas!” – truly a mixed bag. However, as more fans have seen it in action, sentiment has trended positive. Many have embraced Mega Dragonite’s friendly face and unique design, even if it wasn’t what they expected at first.
From a collector’s standpoint, if Mega Dragonite does appear in the card set, it will be a historic card. Dragonite is a Gen 1 icon that has never had a Mega card before, so this would be its Mega TCG debut. You can bet that collectors (especially those who grew up with Dragonite as a pseudo-legendary favorite) will chase this card eagerly. It might even be a secret rare or special illustration rare to commemorate the occasion. The card could end up being one of the most sought-after in the entire set purely for its novelty and the buzz around it. Keep in mind, The Pokémon Company often loves tying the TCG with current games – given that Pokémon Legends: Z-A hits in mid-October and heavily features Mega Evolution in its story, the November TCG set is perfectly timed to include those new elements. Don’t be surprised if Mega Dragonite comes roaring into the TCG with a gorgeous card (perhaps showing off those head wings and a big smile). Controversial or not, it’s likely to become an instant collector’s item.
Bottom line: Mega Dragonite is the wild card to watch. If you’re a fan of Dragonite, this could be the first and possibly only time to snag its Mega form on a card. And even if you’re just a casual fan, it’s exciting to see the TCG expand into new Mega Evolutions we’ve never had before – it adds an element of unpredictability and freshness to the set’s lineup. Love it or hate it, Mega Dragonite is generating serious hype and will surely have people talking well after the set releases.
Exclusive Promo Cards in the ETBs (Don’t Miss These!)
As if the booster pulls weren’t exciting enough, the Elite Trainer Boxes for the Mega Evolution set are going to include exclusive promo cards – and they’re shaping up to be very desirable for collectors. In recent years, Pokémon ETBs often come with a special promo, and this set is no exception. In fact, early info suggests there are three different promo cards tied to product releases – likely one in each of the two ETB versions and maybe one as a bonus with a booster box or bundle. While the exact identities of these promo cards haven’t been officially announced yet, rumors strongly hint that they will feature the star Mega Pokémon of the set in unique artwork. It would make perfect sense if Mega Charizard EX and Mega Gengar EX themselves were the showcase promos in the ETBs, potentially as stunning full-art or alternate-art foils. (Imagine a special art Mega Charizard EX promo – perhaps with a texture or foil pattern – included just for buying the ETB. That’s the kind of extra value that sends collectors rushing to grab these boxes.) Another possibility is a Mega Lucario EX or Mega Blastoise EX promo, since those are also hugely popular – but Charizard and Gengar being the mascots, we suspect they’ll get the nod. Either way, each ETB will contain a beautiful promo card that you can’t get from the booster packs, making the ETBs a hot item for sealed collectors and casual fans alike.
Along with the promo card, of course, the ETBs will be loaded with goodies themed to Mega Evolutions – expect things like card sleeves, dice, and artwork all featuring Mega Pokémon. This set might even have two different ETB designs (perhaps one themed to Charizard and one to Gengar, as some recent sets have done alternate designs). For collectors, that means double the fun – and double the promo cards to collect if you want the full set. If you love to keep a collection of sealed products or display-worthy boxes, these ETBs are going to look fantastic on the shelf with dynamic Mega artwork (some early images of the Japanese “Mega Set” boxes showed Mega Lucario and Mega Gardevoir art, so the English products will likely be just as flashy).
Important tip: Because of these exclusive promos and the overall hype, ETBs for this set could sell out quickly. The demand is expected to be very high – casual collectors will want them for the promos and supplies, and more hardcore fans/investors might scoop them up fast (Charizard effect, as usual!). TCG Stadium has you covered, though. We will be opening preorders for this set very soon, and we want our community to be ready. 🗓️ Mark your calendars: the English Mega Evolutions set (Phantasmal Flames) is slated to release on November 14, 2025, but our preorders will likely go live well before that date. To ensure you don’t miss out on the first wave of products (especially those ETBs and booster boxes), make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter and keep an eye on your email. We’ll announce the preorder drop via the newsletter and on our site, so subscribing is the best way to get a heads-up. Given the excitement around this expansion, we anticipate preorders might fly (no pun intended) quickly.
Get Ready for Mega Action – Coming Soon!
In summary, the new Mega Evolution set is shaping up to be one of the most exciting Pokémon TCG releases in years. It’s the grand return of a beloved mechanic, bringing with it fan-favorites like Charizard and Gengar in dazzling new EX forms, plus introducing never-before-seen Mega Pokémon like Dragonite into the card game mix. Whether you’re a casual collector who’s in it for the cool art and nostalgia, or a player eager to try these powerful new cards in battle, there’s something in this set for everyone. The fact that Mega Evolutions are coming back after eight years has created a perfect storm of hype– it’s a nostalgic throwback for those who collected during the XY era, and a fresh thrill for those who got into the hobby more recently and have only heard legends of “Mega” cards.
TCG Stadium is just as excited as you are, and we’re gearing up to help you secure your favorite products from this release. Keep your Mega excitement high and stay tuned for our preorder announcements. If you haven’t already, join our newsletter mailing list (it only takes a moment) so you’ll get the news the moment preorders go live. The newsletter will also have updates on any sneak peeks, card previews, or events we might run in celebration of the set launch. You don’t want to miss the opportunity to be among the first to crack open packs of this set and possibly pull that coveted Mega Charizard EX or Mega Gengar EX (or whatever your personal fave might be).
So polish up your old Mega Evolution pin, dust off your Charizard sleeves, and get ready – the Mega Evolution TCG era is about to kick off in epic fashion once more. 🔥👻 Mega Charizard, Mega Gengar, and many more will soon be in our hands, and the Pokémon TCG will never be the same! Stay excited, trainers, and get ready to mega evolve your collection!
– TCG Stadium Team
