Blog · Mega Evolution & Modern Sets
Delta Reign ME06 ETB vs Pitch Black ME05 ETB: Which Sealed Box to Buy Before November
By Dexhaul Team · October 8, 2026 · 6 min read
Buy ME05 Pitch Black now if you want the cheapest per-pack value in the Mega Evolution series today. Pre-order ME06 Delta Reign if you are chasing Mega Rayquaza ex and want to lock in the floor before November 6.
These are the two most recent Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Boxes on the market right now. One is already out and settling in price, the other a pre-order with a confirmed November 6 launch date. The gap between them is wider than it looks.
At a glance
| ME06 Delta Reign ETB | ME05 Pitch Black ETB | |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | November 6, 2026 (pre-order) | July 17, 2026 (in stock) |
| MSRP | Not officially announced | Not officially announced |
| Observed floor (Oct 8, 2026) | $104.95 | $60.00 |
| Pack count | 9 packs | 9 packs |
| Per-pack at floor | $11.66 | $6.67 |
| English ETB exclusive promos | Not yet confirmed in listings | Foil Darkrai ex + Zeraora ex promos |
| PC ETB variant | Sold through to secondary ($287+) | In stock at $114.99 |
| Set headliner | Mega Rayquaza ex | Mega Darkrai ex, Mega Zeraora ex |
| Authoritative set page | Serebii Delta Reign | Serebii Pitch Black |
On this page 5 sections
Where ME06 Delta Reign wins
Mega Rayquaza ex at the top of the pull list
Delta Reign is built around Mega Rayquaza ex, the most sought-after Mega Evolution Series chase card. The Special Illustration Rare version of Mega Rayquaza ex has traded above $479 among active listings. No other recent Mega Evolution set headliner comes close to that ceiling.
Pitch Black's headliners, Mega Darkrai ex and Mega Zeraora ex, are compelling Pokémon with strong designs. They do not carry the same collector demand as Rayquaza. For anyone opening packs with a chase card in mind, ME06 is the clearer choice.
Pre-order floor aligns with ME-series history
The ME-series ETB pre-order pattern holds. ME04 Chaos Rising settled at $69.99 at launch and ME05 Pitch Black settled at $74.95, both matching their pre-order floors. Delta Reign at $104.95 is not expected to fall below that at launch based on that pattern, and waiting historically has not rewarded buyers in this product line.
That said, this is a pre-order. The November 6, 2026 release date and $104.95 floor are confirmed from active listings, not an official MSRP announcement. Check the Delta Reign hub for release updates as the date approaches.
Acrylic Case variant at $158 while ME05 PC ETB holds above $114
The ME06 acrylic case ETB from Gemzy is listed at $158.00 as a pre-order. ME05's equivalent, the Pokémon Center ETB, is currently available from $114.99 in standard retail channels. A buyer who specifically wants the premium variant is paying less for ME06's case version than ME05's PC version, which is a notable price inversion.
Where ME05 Pitch Black wins
The cheapest per-pack ETB in the Mega Evolution series right now
ME05 Pitch Black ETB has dropped to a $60.00 floor as of October 8, 2026. At 9 packs, that is $6.67 per pack. For comparison, ME06 at $104.95 comes to $11.66 per pack, making ME05 43% cheaper per pack at its floor.
That $60.00 floor is also below ME05's own post-launch settled price of $74.95. The set has been out since July 17, 2026, and secondary-market compression has pushed it below where ME04 Chaos Rising stabilized ($69.99). ME05 Pitch Black is now the most affordable Mega Evolution ETB by per-pack rate.
Open it now, not in November
ME06 is a pre-order. It does not ship until November 6, 2026. If you want to open packs this week, ME05 is the only option between these two boxes.
That also matters for players preparing for the October 24 Delta Reign ME06 prereleases. A Pitch Black ETB now gives you 9 packs to practice with and a complete set of sleeves, dice, and a deck box before prerelease day. The ME05 Booster Bundle at $34.95 is the budget entry if you only want packs without the accessories.
Confirmed exclusive promos, in hand now
ME05 Pitch Black ETBs include foil Darkrai ex and Zeraora ex exclusive English promos with no Japanese equivalent. These promos are confirmed and come with every standard ETB. ME06 pre-order listings have not yet confirmed the exclusive promo card lineup, which will be announced closer to November 6.
For collectors who specifically want ETB-exclusive English promos in hand before year end, ME05 is the only option with confirmed promo details today.
The deciding question
There is one number that resolves this for most buyers: $60 vs $105.
If Mega Rayquaza ex is the specific reason you are buying into the Mega Evolution series, ME06 is the right box and pre-ordering now at $104.95 locks the floor. The historical ME-series ETB pattern does not support waiting for a better price at launch.
If you want to open sealed Mega Evolution packs now, or if your budget is under $80, ME05 Pitch Black at $60 to $74.95 delivers the same 9-pack format with confirmed exclusive promos, today. The PC ETB variant at $114.99 is the premium ME05 pick if you want the acrylic case option from the current set.
Pokemon: Mega Evolution Delta Reign (ME06) Elite Trainer Box (Pre-order, Nov 6, 2026)
$109.99 USD
FAQ
What is in the ME06 Delta Reign ETB?
Based on confirmed pre-order listings and the standard Mega Evolution ETB format, the Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box includes 9 booster packs, card sleeves, dice, a deck box, and accessories. The exclusive foil promo card lineup has not been confirmed in public listings as of October 8, 2026. Pre-orders ship on November 6, 2026.
What is in the ME05 Pitch Black ETB?
The Pitch Black Elite Trainer Box contains 9 booster packs from the Mega Evolution Pitch Black set, plus foil Darkrai ex and Zeraora ex exclusive English promos not available through Japanese imports, along with sleeves, dice, a deck box, and a condition guide. The set launched July 17, 2026.
Will ME06 ETB drop in price after launch?
ME04 settled at $69.99 and ME05 settled at $74.95 at launch, both matching their pre-order floors. Based on that pattern, ME06 at $104.95 pre-order is unlikely to fall below that floor at launch. Post-launch secondary compression, like ME05's current $60 floor, typically takes several months.
Is the ME05 Pitch Black Pokémon Center ETB worth buying over the standard ETB?
The ME05 PC ETB costs $114.99 to $133.00 and includes an acrylic display case and a different exclusive promo. At $60 for the standard ETB, the PC premium is $55 to $73 extra. Whether that gap is worth it depends entirely on whether you want the PC-exclusive promo and the case for display.
Can I buy ME06 Delta Reign packs before November 6?
No. All ME06 Delta Reign sealed products are pre-orders and do not ship until November 6, 2026. The exception is the October 24 to 27 prerelease events at local game stores, where you can open a Build and Battle Box with stamped prerelease promos not available anywhere else.
Browse available Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Boxes at DexHaul's ETB collection, which pulls listings from independent shops across the Mega Evolution series. Dexhaul is independent and not affiliated with The Pokémon Company.
Catch 'em all
More Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box listings from independent shops.