Pitch Black ETB (ME05, 2026): Contents and MSRP
By Dexhaul Team · October 12, 2026 · 6 min read
Nine packs, two exclusive promos, and a complete set of accessories.
The Pitch Black Elite Trainer Box contains 9 ME05 booster packs, exclusive English foil promos for Darkrai ex and Zeraora ex, 65 card sleeves, dice, a deck box, and a condition guide. The set launched July 17, 2026 as the fifth expansion in the Mega Evolution series.
A Pokémon Center ETB version also exists, adding 2 extra packs and an exclusive acrylic display case.
What's inside the Pitch Black ETB
| Item | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ME05 Pitch Black booster packs | 9 | 10 cards per pack |
| Exclusive English foil promo: Darkrai ex | 1 | No Japanese equivalent |
| Exclusive English foil promo: Zeraora ex | 1 | No Japanese equivalent |
| Card sleeves | 65 | ME05 Pitch Black design |
| Damage-counter dice | 6 | Standard ETB configuration |
| Competition coin | 1 | Standard ETB configuration |
| Deck box | 1 | Holds a standard 60-card deck |
| Condition guide | 1 | Quick reference marker |
The two exclusive promos are the standout items. Both Darkrai ex and Zeraora ex made their Mega form debut in the Legends: Z-A Mega Dimension DLC (December 10, 2025), which makes ME05 the first English set to put these two Mega forms on cardboard. There is no Japanese equivalent card to import, so the ETB is the primary way to add them.
The other two set headliners are Mega Chandelure ex and Mega Excadrill ex, both from the base Legends: Z-A game (October 16, 2025). Players building toward the ME series have a clear reason to prioritise ME05 before Delta Reign ME06 arrives in November.
On this page 7 sections
MSRP and price per pack
| Product | Packs | Observed price | Price per pack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard ETB | 9 | $52.99–$65.00 (observed Oct 12, 2026) | $5.89–$7.22 |
| Pokémon Center ETB | 11 | ~$128.98–$133.00 (observed Oct 2026) | $11.73–$12.09 |
| Booster Bundle | 6 | $27.99–$39.99 (observed Oct 12, 2026) | $4.67–$6.67 |
An official MSRP has not been published by The Pokémon Company on a dated primary source. Observed storefront prices as of October 12, 2026 start at $52.99 for the standard ETB. The Booster Bundle at $27.99 offers a lower per-pack rate but comes with no promos or accessories.
The Pokémon Center ETB
The Pokémon Center ETB is a separate product with a different contents list. It adds 2 extra packs for a total of 11, includes a different set of exclusive promos, and comes with an acrylic display case not found in the standard ETB. It retails for around $128.98–$133.00 at observed October 2026 prices.
That is roughly $75 more than the standard ETB floor. Whether the premium is worthwhile depends on whether you want the acrylic case for display and the alternative exclusive promo card. The standard ETB remains the more common choice for players who want to open packs and keep the accessories in use.
How the Pitch Black ETB compares
ME05 sits between ME04 Chaos Rising and the upcoming ME06 Delta Reign in the Mega Evolution series. All three share the same 9-pack standard ETB format. The key differences are the headline Pokémon, the exclusive promos, and the current market price.
| Set | Code | Released | ETB packs | Headline Mega | ETB observed price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ME04 Chaos Rising | ME04 | May 22, 2026 | 9 | Mega Greninja ex | $59.99 (Oct 2026) |
| ME05 Pitch Black | ME05 | Jul 17, 2026 | 9 | Mega Darkrai ex, Mega Zeraora ex | $52.99–$65.00 (Oct 12, 2026) |
| ME06 Delta Reign | ME06 | Nov 6, 2026 | 9 | Mega Rayquaza ex | Pre-order ~$104.95 |
ME05 is the most affordable ETB in the Mega Evolution block right now.
At its current floor of $52.99, it delivers the lowest per-pack rate in the series. ME06 Delta Reign is a pre-order at a significant premium, and ME04 has settled around $59.99. ME05 is the entry point for anyone catching up before Delta Reign drops.
Release timeline
| Date | Milestone | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 17, 2026 | ME05 Pitch Black English release (ETB, Booster Box, Booster Bundle, Build & Battle Kit) | Bulbapedia |
| Jul 2026 | Pokémon Center ETB released | Pokémon Center |
The Build & Battle Kit also released alongside the ETB on July 17, 2026. It includes a 40-card preconstructed deck and 4 packs for players wanting to learn the set before building.
Who the Pitch Black ETB is for, and who should skip it
Buy the Pitch Black ETB if you want the Darkrai ex or Zeraora ex exclusive English promos, or if you are collecting the Mega Evolution series in order and have ME01 through ME04 already. At the current $52.99 floor it is the most affordable ETB in the ME block, and the two DLC-debut Megas make it the hardest to substitute.
Skip it if Mega Rayquaza ex is your target. That card comes with ME06 Delta Reign (November 6, 2026), and at $104.95 pre-order it is the premium option in the current series window. Buying both ME05 and ME06 is a reasonable strategy if you want to complete the arc before the end of 2026.
The Pokémon Center ETB is worth the extra cost if you want the acrylic case for display and a different exclusive promo. It is not a better pack value: 11 packs at $128.98 works out to more per pack than the standard ETB at $52.99.
Collectors new to the Mega Evolution series can start with ME05 as a lower-cost entry. The ME01–ME04 overview is worth reading first to understand where Pitch Black sits in the full arc.
Frequently asked questions
How many packs are in the Pitch Black Elite Trainer Box?
The standard Pitch Black ETB contains 9 booster packs. The Pokémon Center version contains 11 packs and also includes an acrylic display case.
What are the exclusive promos in the Pitch Black ETB?
The standard ETB includes exclusive English foil promos for Darkrai ex and Zeraora ex. These cards have no Japanese equivalent: they were created specifically for the English Pitch Black release.
Is there a difference between the standard ETB and the Pokémon Center ETB?
Yes. The Pokémon Center ETB has 11 packs instead of 9, a different exclusive promo card, and an acrylic display case not found in the standard box. It costs significantly more: observed prices are around $128.98–$133.00 versus $52.99–$65.00 for the standard ETB.
When did the Pitch Black set release?
ME05 Pitch Black launched on July 17, 2026 as the fifth expansion in the English Mega Evolution TCG series. The ETB, Booster Box, Booster Bundle, and Build & Battle Kit all released on the same day.
Is the Pitch Black ETB worth buying before Delta Reign ME06?
Yes, if you want the Darkrai ex and Zeraora ex promos or are building the Mega Evolution series collection. See the full comparison at Delta Reign vs Pitch Black ETB for the per-pack math and verdict.
Find in-stock Pitch Black Elite Trainer Boxes and other Mega Evolution TCG products at DexHaul's Elite Trainer Box collection, where independent shops list current prices in one place. DexHaul is independent and not affiliated with The Pokémon Company.
Catch 'em all
More Pitch Black and Mega Evolution TCG products from independent shops.