The upcoming Ascended Heroes expansion, launching on January 30, 2026, marks a major shift for the Pokémon Trading Card Game with the debut of a brand-new rarity: Mega Attack Rare.
Early previews confirm four Mega Pokémon ex receiving this treatment, each featuring unique artwork, Japanese-labeled attacks, and a new rarity symbol represented by one pink star and one green star. Pull rates have not yet been disclosed.
The four revealed Mega Attack Rares are:
- Mega Hawlucha ex
- Mega Eelektross ex
- Mega Dragonite ex
- Mega Froslass ex
Together, they signal a renewed focus on Mega Evolution as a central competitive and collector feature heading into 2026.
Mega Attack Rare Pokémon Breakdown
Mega Hawlucha ex — High-Risk Survivability
Mega Hawlucha ex introduces the Tenacious Body Ability. When it would be Knocked Out, players may flip a coin; if heads, the knockout is prevented.
This mechanic adds unpredictability and pressure for opponents, forcing them to consider whether committing major damage is worth the risk of wasting an attack.
Mega Eelektross ex — Precision and Pressure
Mega Eelektross ex blends Bench damage with strong single-target attacks, making it effective against evolving decks and fragile setup Pokémon.
Its design encourages disruption-focused strategies and can punish opponents who rely heavily on early Bench development.
Mega Dragonite ex — Mobility Support Engine
Mega Dragonite ex features the Sky Transport Ability, allowing players to switch their Active Pokémon without paying retreat costs.
This ability offers exceptional flexibility, enabling smoother transitions between attackers, easier pivoting, and stronger tempo control throughout a match.
Mega Froslass ex — Hand Control Threat
Mega Froslass ex stands out with its Resentful Refrain attack, which scales based on the opponent’s hand size.
Decks that rely on heavy draw engines or card hoarding may be especially vulnerable, making this Mega a potential counter to slower, resource-stacking strategies.
Set Mechanics and Broader Context
Ascended Heroes continues to build on popular mechanics introduced throughout 2025, including:
- Owner’s Pokémon
- Stellar Tera Pokémon
The set also integrates characters and elements connected to Pokémon Legends: Z-A, such as Corbeau, Canari, and Mega-evolved starters, strengthening the crossover between mainline games and the TCG.
Previously revealed cards, including Mega Feraligatr ex, are expected to serve as high-damage anchors within the set, complementing the more tactical Mega Attack Rares revealed so far.
Competitive Impact Going Into 2026
Several of these Mega Pokémon appear positioned to influence early 2026 competitive play:
- Mega Dragonite ex offers universal support potential across multiple archetypes.
- Mega Froslass ex introduces direct punishment for large-hand strategies.
- Mega Hawlucha ex adds RNG-based durability that can swing matches unexpectedly.
While full card text and pull rates remain unknown, early impressions suggest Ascended Heroes may reshape deck-building priorities once tournament legality begins.
Looking Ahead to Pokémon’s 30th Anniversary
The release of Ascended Heroes arrives during a significant year for the franchise. 2026 marks Pokémon’s 30th anniversary, and while official TCG celebration plans have not yet been announced, expectations for major releases and special products remain high.
Ascended Heroes may serve as the opening step toward a much larger anniversary-driven roadmap.
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