ME01 - Mega Evolution

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Mega Evolution: The return of the iconic Kalos mechanic
Mega Evolution is the foundational expansion for the new Mega Evolution series of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, released on October 10, 2025, by The Pokémon Company. The set follows the long Scarlet & Purple era and marks the official return of the Mega Evolution mechanic, originally introduced in the sixth-generation Pokémon X and Y video games in 2013. This series narratively accompanies the release of Pokémon Legends: ZA on Nintendo Switch in September 2025, which brings the Kalos region and its Mega Evolutions back to the heart of the Pokémon universe. The ME01 set lays the visual, mechanical, and narrative groundwork for the Mega Evolution arc that unfolds across several successive expansions.

The ten Mega Evolution Pokémon-ex from the set
Mega Evolution introduces ten new Mega Evolution Pokémon-ex cards, which are the most powerful and sought-after cards in the set. Mega Lucario-ex is the undisputed star of the expansion: the Sinnoh Aura Mega Evolution, already iconic since Pokémon X and Y, dominates the expansion's cover and the secondary market. Mega Gardevoir-ex , the Psychic-Fairy Mega Evolution from Kalos, also occupies a central position and has several premium variants. Mega Charizard-ex (its regular form, distinct from Mega Charizard X, which will appear in ME02 Spooky Flames) completes the trio of the set's most coveted Mega Evolutions. Seven other Mega Evolutions round out the main lineup.

A modernized gameplay mechanic: Mega Evolution without penalty
Mega Evolution introduces a major change to the rules of the Pokémon Trading Card Game: the mandatory turn-ending after a Mega Evolution is removed . In previous editions, triggering a Mega Evolution ended the player's turn without the possibility of attacking. Now, a player can Mega Evolve a Pokémon, chain effects, and attack all in the same turn, making Mega Evolutions immediately competitive. This modernization has a direct impact on the viability of Mega Evolution Pokémon-ex in tournaments and marks a significant departure from the previous era.

The Mega-Lucario EX Elite Trainer Box
The Mega Lucario EX Elite Trainer Box puts the star of the set at the heart of its visual identity, with a design entirely dedicated to the Sinnoh Aura Mega Evolution. The box includes a fully illustrated Riolu foil promo card, Lucario's pre-evolution, creating a direct narrative thread to Mega Lucario EX. It also includes 9 Mega Evolution booster packs, 65 themed card sleeves, 40 Energy cards, a player's guide, damage counter dice, a coin-flip die, a plastic coin, a collector's box with dividers, and a code card for Pokémon TCG Live.

The Mega Gardevoir EX Elite Trainer Box
The Mega Gardevoir EX Elite Trainer Box is the second ETB variant in the set, this time focusing on the Kalos Psychic-Fairy Mega Evolution. The box includes a fully illustrated Alakazam foil promo card and contains the complete contents of a Pokémon ETB: 9 Mega Evolution booster packs, 65 Mega Gardevoir-themed card sleeves, 40 Energy cards, gameplay accessories, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card. The two Mega Lucario and Mega Gardevoir ETBs make a complementary collection for fans of the expansion's two flagship Mega Evolutions.

The Psyduck and Akwakwak Tripack Bundle
The Psyduck and Golduck Tripack bundle features two themed blisters illustrated with the evolutionary line of Psyduck and Golduck , iconic Water-type Psychic-type Pokémon from the first generation. Each tripack contains three booster packs from the expansion. The two-pack bundle combines both Psyduck and Golduck artwork for collectors who want both variants in a single order, in an affordable entry-level format.

An enriched rarity structure
Mega Evolution features an expanded rarity structure that sets the stage for subsequent sets in the series. Twenty-two Illustration Rare (AR) cards offer full-page artwork of the most sought-after Pokémon and characters. Ten Special Illustration Rare (SAR) cards serve as the set's main chase cards, with dedicated artwork that breaks away from the standard format. This structure lays the groundwork that will later be expanded upon with Mega Attack Rare (first appearing in ME02 Phantasmal Flames) and Mega Ultra Rare (first appearing in ME03 Perfect Balance) rarities.

The artwork for the booster illustrations
Mega Evolution features several different booster box illustrations, each showcasing an iconic Mega Evolution from the set. Thebooster art set includes a copy of each variant for collectors who want to complete the set's visual series in an original sealed format.

Other available formats
In addition to the two Elite Trainer Boxes, the art set, and the three-pack set, the Mega Evolution range is available in two classic opening formats. Theindividual booster pack contains a selection of cards drawn from the main set. The 36-booster display box is the standard format for achieving extensive set coverage and organizing group opening sessions.

See also
• Parent category: all Pokémon products
• Previous/Next Expansion: Phantasmagorical Flames (ME02) , Pokémon 30th Anniversary
• All formats: Pokémon displays of 36 boosters , Pokémon Elite Trainer Boxes (ETB) , Pokémon bundles of 6 boosters , Pokémon blisters, duopacks and tripacks , individual Pokémon boosters , Pokémon booster art sets
• Accessories: Pokémon accessories

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Mega Evolution expansion released?
October 10, 2025 in French. This is the first expansion in the series (code ME01).

What ETBs exist?
Two versions: Mega-Lucario-ex and Mega-Gardevoir-ex, with 9 boosters, 65 card sleeves and 40 Energy cards each.

How many boosters are in the display?
36 booster packs of 10 cards each.