Ascended Heroes: Trainer’s Pokémon, Mega ex and the illustration rares worth finding
Ascended Heroes is the Mega Evolution era’s big special set: 217 cards before the secret rares, the return of Trainer’s Pokémon, and a deep run of illustration rares.
Ascended Heroes came out on 30 January 2026 as the first special set of the Mega Evolution era, and it’s a big one: 217 cards in the main set, with dozens of secret rares on top. Like other special sets, it wasn’t sold in booster boxes. Packs came in Elite Trainer Boxes, mini tins, booster bundles and collections instead, which is part of why its singles are worth knowing about.
Trainer’s Pokémon are back
Trainer’s Pokémon, last seen in Journey Together and Destined Rivals, return in force. These are Pokémon that belong to a named character: Erika’s Tangela, Cynthia’s Spiritomb, Larry’s Komala, N’s Zekrom, Hop’s Trevenant, Iono’s Wattrel and Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex among them. A Trainer’s Pokémon only evolves from a Pokémon belonging to the same Trainer, so they come in little families, which makes them fun to build around and to collect as a run.
The Mega ex
Ascended Heroes is packed with Mega Evolution Pokémon ex, including Mega Meganium ex, Mega Emboar ex, Mega Lucario ex, Mega Dragonite ex and Mega Charizard Y ex. Most turn up first as Double Rares, and many again in full-art and special illustration versions. If you’re new to them, Mega ex are worth three Prize cards when they’re Knocked Out, so they hit hard to make up for it.
The illustration rares
For a lot of collectors the illustration rares are the heart of the set: full-bleed artwork of a Pokémon going about its day, numbered after the main set. They’re usually far cheaper than the special illustration rares, which makes them a great way to build a binder page you’ll actually finish. A few of our favourites in stock:
See every Illustration Rare in stock, across all sets.
Full-art Trainers
The Trainer cards get the full-art treatment too. Boss’s Orders is the one players reach for first: it switches one of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon into the Active Spot, and it’s one of the most-played Supporters in the game.
The chase cards
The cards everyone hopes to pull are the special illustration rares, with Mega Gengar ex and Mega Dragonite ex at the top of most lists, alongside Pikachu ex and Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex, plus the gold Mega Hyper Rare Mega Charizard Y ex. They’re scarce, and copies in Near Mint go quickly. If there’s one you’re after, tell us and we’ll look out for it.
Not sure what the symbols in the corner mean, or what a “Near Mint” listing promises? Our guide to card condition covers how we grade every single. Browse the whole set on the Ascended Heroes page.
