Pokémon Pitch Black Pull Rates: What to Expect Before Opening Packs

Pitch Black has quickly become one of the most talked-about releases of the year, largely because of cards like Mega Darkrai ex, but it's also generated plenty of discussion about how generous, or unforgiving, the set feels.

Since The Pokémon Company doesn't publish official pull rates for English booster packs, the best information comes from large community opening projects that track thousands of packs. No two Booster Boxes are identical, but once enough product has been opened, reliable patterns begin to emerge.

Pokémon Pitch Black Pull Rates at a Glance

Based on large community opening datasets. These figures represent long-term trends rather than guaranteed odds for any individual pack or Booster Box.

Pull rates are best thought of as long-term averages, not guarantees. You might pull a Special Illustration Rare from your first Booster Box, or you might open several before finding one. That's simply how random packs work. Instead of focusing on one lucky opening video or a viral social media post, it's much more useful to look at thousands of documented pack openings to see what most collectors can realistically expect.

More importantly, think about what you're trying to accomplish. If you enjoy opening packs and building your collection, Pitch Black offers enough regular hits to make the experience worthwhile. If you're only chasing one premium card like Mega Darkrai ex, however, buying the single will usually save you money. That's why many experienced collectors open packs for the fun of it, then purchase the remaining cards they need to finish the set.

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Pitch Black Booster Box - ME05: Pitch Black (PBL)

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Pokémon publish official pull rates for Pitch Black?

No. The Pokémon Company does not publish official pull rates for English Pokémon TCG booster packs. The estimates in this guide are based on large community opening datasets that track thousands of documented pack openings, giving collectors a realistic picture of what to expect over time.

What is the rarest card in Pokémon Pitch Black?

The Mega Darkrai ex Mega Hyper Rare is widely considered the rarest and most difficult card to pull from the set. While every booster pack is random, current community data suggests it is significantly rarer than a Special Illustration Rare.

How many packs does it take to pull a Special Illustration Rare?

Current community estimates suggest that a Special Illustration Rare appears roughly once every 80 packs on average. It's important to remember that these are long-term averages rather than guarantees. Some collectors may pull one much sooner, while others may open considerably more packs before finding one.

Are Booster Boxes worth buying?

That depends on your goal. If you enjoy opening packs and building a collection, Booster Boxes offer a fun experience with a healthy number of regular hits. If you're only trying to obtain one specific chase card, purchasing that card as a single is usually the more economical choice.

Should I buy packs or singles?

For most collectors, the best approach is a combination of both. Opening a Booster Box lets you enjoy the excitement of pulling your own cards, while buying singles afterward is often the most cost-effective way to complete your collection.

Will pull rates change over time?

The cards inside Pitch Black won't become more or less common after release, but our understanding of the pull rates can improve as more collectors document their pack openings. As larger community datasets become available, we'll update this guide to reflect the most accurate information possible.