Blog · Mega Evolution & Modern Sets
ME01 Mega Evolution: Mega Gardevoir ex, Mega Lucario ex, and the Cards Collectors Still Chase
By Dexhaul Team · September 6, 2026
ME01: Mega Evolution is the debut set of the modern ME series, and it still holds a structural distinction no later entry in the line matches: two distinct Elite Trainer Box versions.
Most collectors discover ME01 while working backward through the ME series from ME04 Chaos Rising or ME05 Mega Forces. Once they get here, they find a set tightly focused on two Pokémon with long competitive histories and deep collector fanbases.
The Mega Gardevoir ex SIR sits at $190–$210 at current storefronts. The Mega Lucario ex SIR follows closely at $162–$209.
Neither is cheap. Both are worth understanding before you buy.
This guide covers the set's key products, which cards command the highest collector interest, and what the Japanese M1S counterpart adds to the picture.
The Dual ETB: Why ME01 Stands Apart
Every ME series set from ME02 onward used a single product identity. ME02 Phantasmal Flames centered on Mega Gengar ex. ME03, ME04, and ME05 each featured their own Pokémon without the dual-ETB format.
ME01 is the exception.
The Mega Gardevoir ETB and the Mega Lucario ETB are separate retail SKUs. Both contain ME01 booster packs and exclusive accessories, each featuring different box art. Collectors who want one of each from the launch set need both.
The Gardevoir ETB tends to trade at a slight premium to the Lucario ETB, in part because the Mega Gardevoir ex SIR also commands a slight premium over its Lucario counterpart. The reason collectors give most often is the artwork: the Gardevoir line's visual design translates well to the SIR full-bleed format, while the Lucario SIR is striking in its own right but draws a slightly smaller pool of dedicated collectors.
This is notable because competitively, Mega Lucario is often considered the stronger card of the two. The collector market and the competitive market are pointing in opposite directions here, which makes ME01 more interesting to watch than most sets in the series.
The Chase Cards: SIR Rankings
ME01 has 132 base cards, with secret rares numbered above that. The two SIRs are the primary collector targets.
Mega Gardevoir ex SIR (178/132)
The top pull from ME01. Current asking prices across independent storefronts sit between $190 and $210 for near-mint copies. The full-art illustration leans into Gardevoir's psychic aesthetic, making it one of the most visually distinctive SIRs in the ME series so far.
Mega Lucario ex SIR (179/132)
The second SIR, sitting at $162–$209. The gap between the two SIRs is real but not dramatic.
Lucario collectors who focus on the Fighting-type line will find this the priority pick. For collectors chasing both, securing the Gardevoir SIR first tends to be the move: the Lucario SIR restocks more regularly at the lower end of the range.
ME01 Product Formats by Budget
There are three main entry points into ME01 sealed product right now.
The Enhanced Booster Box is the volume path at $284.99. It gives you the most ME01 packs in a single purchase, which is the right move if pulling either SIR from a fresh box is the goal. Neither SIR is guaranteed from any format, so this is a probability play rather than a certainty.
The ETB in either variant ($110–$135) is the collector's entry point. You get ME01 booster packs alongside the exclusive box art and accessories.
The Gardevoir version is the one most collectors display sealed, which is why its pricing premium is small but consistent. If opening is the plan, either variant works equally well.
The Booster Bundle at $67 is the most accessible path. It contains fewer packs than the ETB but sits at a price point that works if you want to sample the set without committing to a full box purchase.
The Japanese Connection: M1S Mega Symphonia
ME01 has a Japanese counterpart set called M1S: Mega Symphonia. The relationship mirrors what the broader ME series does across every entry: the Japanese release comes first, the English version follows, and the JP cards carry different set codes and artwork variants.
The M1S Mega Gardevoir ex Special Art Rare (087/063) sits around $135. The JP SAR format uses different framing from the English SIR, and for collectors who track both versions of the ME series, M1S adds a distinct layer the English release cannot match. The set code (087/063) shows how heavily the JP set uses secret rares above its base count of 63 cards.
Collectors working through the ME series in parallel (both JP and English) often prioritize M1S Gardevoir ex SAR before the English SIR because the Japanese market price has historically settled faster after each ME launch. It's not a rule, but it's a pattern that ME series collectors note.
A Note on Mega Gardevoir and Mega Lucario in the Games
Both Pokémon featured in ME01 have canonical Mega Evolutions from the XY and ORAS mainline games. Mega Gardevoir and Mega Lucario both appeared in Pokémon X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire.
This matters for collectors because ME01 is the only ME series set where both featured Pokémon have in-game Mega forms. Later sets in the ME series introduced card-exclusive Mega forms for Pokémon that never received official Mega Evolutions in any core series game, starting with ME05's Mega Darkrai ex, Mega Zeraora ex, and Mega Dragonite ex. ME05.5 Ascended Heroes continued this with Mega Feraligatr ex, Mega Meganium ex, and Mega Emboar ex, all card-only Mega forms.
ME01 predates that shift. Both its SIRs depict Mega forms that existed in the games first, which gives the set a specific appeal to collectors who want their TCG chase cards to connect directly to mainline game history. It is a meaningful distinction, and one that rarely comes up in product listings.
You can browse current ME01 sealed products and singles from independent storefronts at DexHaul's ME01 Mega Evolution search. Results include ETBs, booster boxes, booster bundles, and singles from the set across multiple sellers and price points. DexHaul is independent and unofficial, not affiliated with The Pokémon Company.