The Pokemon Trading Card Game has officially shown off a brand-new Special Illustration Rare card coming with the game's next expansion, teasing Mega Absol ex. The massively popular trading card game is gearing up for one of its biggest expansions in years with the launch of "Mega Evolution" later this month. The set will feature the return of Mega Pokemon to the card game, with ten different Mega Pokemon set to make their Pokemon TCG debut within the set. The Pokemon Company is now showing off an amazing new Special Illustration Rare card coming with the next set.
The Pokemon Company has already given fans a sneak peek at several of the full-art cards coming with the Pokemon TCG's next set. Mega Gardevoir ex and Mega Lucario ex are set to receive incredible new full-art cards, showing off stylized depictions of the fan-favorite Pokemon and even teasing a new Pokemon TCG rarity. One of Pokemon's original starters will also be given a trio of special artworks, with the Bulbasaur evolution line receiving new Illustration Rare and Special Illustration Rare cards. Now, Pokemon is showing off yet another Mega Evolution full-art card.
One of the Rarest Pokemon TCG Cards Ever is Up for Auction
An incredibly rare Pokemon TCG card with less than a dozen known copies remaining in existence is up for auction, and it isn't cheap.
The Pokemon Trading Card Game officially unveiled Mega Absol ex as the next new Special Illustration Rare card coming to the card game. The impressive full-art card features the Mega-Evolved form of Absol looking regal and intimidating, standing perched atop a tall building in the middle of Lumiose City. The Mega Absol card boasts an impressive 280 HP as a Basic Pokemon, alongside a pair of unique attacks featuring an instant KO effect and discarding cards from the opponent's hand. Mega Evolution is set to release on September 26.
Pokemon TCG Shows Mega Absol ex Special Illustration Rare
Mega Absol ex
- Dark-type
- 280 HP
- Terminal Period (D)(C): If your opponent's Active Pokemon has exactly 6 damage counters on it, that Pokemon is Knocked Out.
- Claw of Darkness (D)(D)(C): 280 Damage, Your opponent reveals their hand, and you discard a card you find there.
- Weakness: Grass
- Retreat Cost: 2
Pokemon fans should have plenty of exciting new cards to look forward to throughout the Mega Evolution expansion, alongside its impressive full-art cards. The set will introduce several powerful cards for the competitive format, including "Lillie's Determination" as a draw Supporter and "Forest of Vitality" and "Mystery Garden" as new Stadium cards. Several Pokemon from the set are also expected to be particularly popular, including Solrock and Lunatone for Psychic decks and the new Meganium card in Grass-focused strategies.
The newest era of the Pokemon TCG comes as the beloved card game has already seen significant success throughout 2025. Prismatic Evolutions launched as one of the hottest Pokemon expansions in years, with fans clamoring for the incredible Special Illustration Rare Eeveelution cards. Mega Evolutions aren't the only mechanic to have returned this year, either, with "Journey Together" bringing back "owner's Pokemon" to the game for the first time in more than 20 years. Pokemon TCG fans should have lots more to look forward to with plenty of exciting new sets on the way.
- Franchise
- Pokemon
- Original Release Date
- October 20, 1996