If, like me, you regularly open Pokémon packs, you know that not every set is equally generous. A lot has changed since last year: the Mega Evolution series has launched and has significantly improved pull rates, and Prismatic Evolutions still tops the charts when it comes to Special Illustration Rares. Here are the ten sets with the best pull rates in 2026, based on official TCGplayer data (thousands of opened boosters per set), community figures, and our own experience.
1. Scarlet & Violet: Prismatic Evolutions
Prismatic Evolutions remains unbeaten when it comes to Special Illustration Rares. Where a normal set typically requires around 85-90 boosters on average for an SIR, this set sits at 1 in 45. That's nearly twice as good.
The set revolves entirely around Eevee and its evolutions, with beautiful Master Ball foils as an extra layer on top of the regular hits. Note: the set does contain 32 different SIRs, so pulling a specific card (like the sought-after Umbreon ex) remains tough. But purely in terms of chance of pulling "something nice," this is still the set to open.
2. Mega Evolution: Ascended Heroes
The top pick from the brand-new Mega Evolution series. According to TCGplayer (based on 2,000+ opened boosters), Ascended Heroes gets you an Illustration Rare in about 1 in 9 packs and a Special Illustration Rare in 1 in 70 — better than the earlier Mega Evolution sets (1 in 101) and Phantasmal Flames (1 in 80).
Mega Hyper Rares have also become more accessible: 1 in 540 boosters, more than twice as good as in the sets before it. With chase cards like Mega Gengar ex and the return of Mega Gardevoir ex, this is, in our view, the best Mega Evolution set to open so far.
3. Mega Evolution: Perfect Order
Another entry in the Mega Evolution line. Official figures are still limited, but community data (100+ opened packs) points to a strong Illustration Rare rate of around 1 in 9, with Special Illustration Rares around 1 in 55 — even more generous than Ascended Heroes. The Ultra Rare rate, at 1 in 18, is a bit below average, but if you're mainly after Illustration Rares, this set delivers well. Mega Zygarde ex is the absolute chase card of this set.
4. Scarlet & Violet: 151
151 remains, despite the set now being a bit older, one of the more generous sets to open. The Pokédex order and the abundance of full arts of classic Kanto Pokémon (think the starters and Mew) make this a staple in our list. Mini tins and bundles also produce hits noticeably often, which you rarely see with other special sets.
5. Scarlet & Violet: Surging Sparks
Surging Sparks remains one of the most underrated sets. In a booster box you can count on around 4-6 solid hits, spread across illustration rares and full arts of Raging Bolt, Tapu Koko, and the Paradox Electric-types. Single blisters and 3-pack blisters also deliver a nice pull more often than average.
6. Scarlet & Violet: Obsidian Flames
Obsidian Flames is often overlooked. Unfairly so. This 2023 set has one of the best Special Illustration Rare rates we've ever measured: 1 in 32 packs, on par with 151. Charizard ex SIR is the best-known chase card, but regular Illustration Rares also show up relatively often, at 1 in 13. Even single packs or ETBs often yield hits — exactly the kind of set you should still try to track down.
7. Scarlet & Violet: Paldean Fates
Paldean Fates revolves around Shiny Pokémon, and you notice it immediately: every pack gives you a chance at a Shiny Rare in as much as 1 in 4 packs. The Special Illustration Rares themselves are a bit tougher at 1 in 58, but thanks to that extra layer of shiny hits, this set feels more generous overall than the numbers alone suggest. Note: the value of the pulls tends to run a bit lower than with older shiny sets, but the fun and consistency more than make up for it.
8. Mega Evolution: Phantasmal Flames
The second set in the Mega Evolution series, with a Special Illustration Rare rate of 1 in 80. Not spectacular, but better than the very first Mega Evolution set (1 in 101). Best known for its Charizard chase card, which caused quite a stir on release.
9. Mega Evolution: Chaos Rising
The newest set in the Mega Evolution series (May 2026). The Special Illustration Rare rate sits around 1 in 86, so a bit tougher at the top end than Ascended Heroes or Perfect Order. On the plus side, loose full arts and Ultra Rares are slightly more accessible. Mega Greninja ex is the absolute top card of this set, and priced sky-high due to its scarcity.
10. Scarlet & Violet: Destined Rivals
Closing out the list with a Special Illustration Rare rate of 1 in 94 — the least favorable of these ten. Still, the set earns its spot thanks to the huge popularity of Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex and its broad, recognisable chase card pool (Cynthia's Garchomp ex, Misty's Psyduck). Purely in terms of odds, this is a set to open for the fun of it, not for the returns.
