The new Mega Evolution: Ascended Heroes TCG set is here, and UK collectors are hunting for the top chase cards to grade. As the largest English set ever released, it is packed with nearly 300 cards, making the pull rates for the top tier “chase” cards particularly challenging.
If you have been lucky enough to pull one of the heavy hitters, you might be looking to get them protected. After all, these cards are more than just bits of shiny cardboard—they are the centerpieces of your collection and a memory of that “big pull” moment.
Table of Contents
Why Ascended Heroes is a grading goldmine
Before we dive into the specific cards, it is important to talk about the physical quality of this set. Ascended Heroes is a modern release that has been considered fairly well-printed, especially when compared to the quality control of some other recent sets.
However, because this is classed as a ‘special’ set, it features many textured full-arts as well as the new Mega Attack Rare cards, which can often fall victim to ‘silvering’ or minor surface impurities. If you are considering sending off some of your fresh pulls from Ascended Heroes, pay close attention to the surface of the cards, as well as the centering, before you commit to a submission.
The Top 5 Chase Cards to Grade
1. Mega Gengar EX (Special Illustration Rare #284)
The undisputed king of the set. This card features a swirling, psychedelic art style that collectors are already calling a modern masterpiece. Because Gengar has one of the most loyal fanbases in the hobby, the demand for pristine copies is astronomical. Currently, a PSA 10 or an ACE 10 is commanding a massive premium over raw copies because the dark edges of the card make tiny nicks very obvious.
2. Mega Charizard Y ex (Gold Hyper Rare #294)
You can’t have a legendary set without the fire lizard. This Gold Hyper Rare is the pinnacle of “prestige” in Ascended Heroes. While some collectors prefer the more colourful art pieces, the gold cards are the rarest to find within the set. However, they can fall short on surface impurities due to the amount of special foiling on the cards. But if yours looks perfect, get it in a slab. Gold Charizards have a habit of holding their value even when the rest of the set cools down.
3. Mega Dragonite ex (Special Illustration Rare #290)
This card has surprised everyone with its value, originally holding a higher market price than its gold counterpart. The artwork is whimsical and bright, showing Dragonite in a peaceful, sky-high scene. It is a breath of fresh air compared to the more aggressive battle poses in the rest of the set. This is a prime candidate for grading because Dragonite is a “cross-generational” favorite—meaning both older collectors and younger fans want this for their permanent collection.
4. Pikachu ex (Special Illustration Rare #276)
It wouldn’t be a 30th-anniversary era set without the mascot. This “Gem Blast” variant of Pikachu is incredibly vibrant, looking like its come straight from the TCG Pocket App. Much like the Gengar, the high texture on this card makes it a target for surface wear if not handled with care. Graded copies are currently the “liquidity” leaders of the set, meaning they sell faster than almost any other card.
5. Lillie’s Clefairy ex (Special Illustration Rare #280)
The “Trainer’s Pokemon” cards are back, and Lillie’s Clefairy is the standout. This card taps into the massive “waifu” and Trainer-collector market. These types of cards often see the biggest jumps in value when they are graded, as the collectors who buy them are usually looking for “perfection” to complete their character-specific collections.
Is it worth grading in the UK?
For UK collectors who want a beautiful display and a faster turnaround, grading in the UK is becoming increasingly popular. With the UK TCG scene growing at events like MCM London and regional card shows, domestic grading has never been more accessible.
Do your research, find a company who aligns with your grading requirements, whether thats stricter grading scales, custom art labels, quick turn around times, or all of the above. And if you haven’t considered Imperium Grading yet, come and take a look to see what we’re about.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a “Mega Attack Rare”?
These are a new rarity in Ascended Heroes that feature bold, Japanese-style attack graphics across the artwork. They are rarer than standard ex cards but generally sit just below Special Illustration Rares in terms of value and rarity.
Should I grade the “God Packs”?
If you were lucky enough to pull a God Pack (a pack where every card is a hit), you should definitely consider grading your favourite cards from that pack, if not all of them!
What is “Silvering” and why does it happen?
Silvering is when the holographic foil shows through the very edge of the card, making it look like the ink has been chipped away. In the Ascended Heroes set, this sometimes happens right out of the pack due to the way the cards are cut at the factory. While minor silvering is common, significant silvering can sometimes knock a grade down from a 10 to a 9.
