The Pokemon TCG is gearing up to break a record that has stood for more than four years, with Ascended Heroes set to be the biggest expansion ever. The beloved trading card game based on the long-running monster-catching franchise comes into 2026 with tons of momentum from a successful 2025. The recent trading card boom saw the Pokemon TCG welcome some of the game’s most highly anticipated sets yet, with popular sets like Prismatic Evolutions and Destined Rivals debuting throughout the year. Now, Pokemon is getting fans ready to welcome the first new expansion of 2026 with Ascended Heroes.
The Pokemon Company has already given fans plenty of teasers about what to expect from 2026’s first new expansion. Ascended Heroes features the new Mega Dragonite as its cover Pokemon, with each of Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Starter Pokemon receiving Mega forms in the TCG as well. The set is also expected to bring new additions to several popular mechanics featured throughout 2025, including new Owner’s Pokemon, new Stellar Tera Pokemon, and more set to arrive with Ascended Heroes. Early information about the expansion is now suggesting that the next Pokemon TCG set will break the record for the franchise’s largest expansion.
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Ascended Heroes is the Pokemon TCG’s Biggest Set Ever
A new report shared by popular Pokemon TCG community aggregator PokeBeach is teasing some big things for the game’s next set. The Ascended Heroes expansion is currently expected to have more than 70 different “secret rares,” including new Illustration Rares, full art cards, and Special Illustration Rare cards. The set will boast a staggering 295 different cards between all of its different printings and rarities, with the “base set” having more than 200 unique cards. The 295 cards available in Ascended Heroes will set a new record as the largest set in Pokemon TCG history, with the record previously being held by 2021’s Fusion Strike.
Ascended Heroes looks to have lots for fans to be excited about, between both entirely new cards and high-rarity reprints of older cards. Several popular cards from 2025 are getting stunning new artworks within the set, including cards like N’s Zoroark ex, Iris’s Fighting Spirit, and Fezandipiti ex, among others. More new Pokemon and characters from Pokemon Legends: Z-A are also set to make their Pokemon TCG debut within Ascended Heroes, with characters like Canari and Corbeau receiving their first cards. The Pokemon TCG’s Ascended Heroes expansion is currently scheduled to launch on January 30.
Ascended Heroes Will Kick Off Pokemon’s 30th Anniversary With a Bang
Ascended Heroes will also introduce a brand-new rarity to the game with its highly anticipated release. The “Mega Attack Rare” rarity is set to debut as another highly sought-after chase rarity, emblazoning the name of the Pokemon’s attack into the artwork. The rarity will be exclusive to Mega Pokemon ex found within Ascended Heroes, with seven different Pokemon receiving the first Mega Attack Rare cards. Mega Attack Rare will be the second new rarity added to the Pokemon TCG since the launch of the Mega Evolution era, with the titular set bringing the brand-new Mega Hyper Rare cards to the game.
Image via The Pokemon Company
The Pokemon TCG looks to have lots more in store throughout the year as the game prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Early leaks are teasing a brand-new McDonald’s Pokemon TCG collaboration in February, likely aligning with 2026’s Pokemon Day celebration. The Pokemon Company has also hyped up the anniversary as a whole as being the “best year yet” for the franchise, with official announcements expected to be on the way about Pokemon’s tenth generation. Pokemon’s 30th anniversary celebrations are set to be an exciting time for all fans of the franchise, with the Pokemon TCG likely having plenty to come as well.
