Being a frugal collector means you can sit on the sidelines and be a neutral observer. Never falling for the hype means you can objectively view a set for what it truly is and see what generates hype. So, in this one, we tier the sets in Mega Evolutions based on three criteria: the top chase card, the value of the sealed product, and future value viability. Let's rip into this one!

With the release of Ninja Spinner foreshadowing our Chaos Rising release, I wanted to take a minute and just work through what we've gotten from Mega Evolutions so far, before we get lost in whatever Pokemon has in store for the TCG's 30th Anniversary.

My opinion on Mega Evolution so far has been very positive. The artwork across all sets has been stellar as Pokemon leans heavily on their artists to tell new stories, reimagine old regions, and bring new life to the most popular Pokemon of the franchise.

So far, we have gotten Mega Evolutions Base Set, Phantasmal Flames, and Ascended Heroes, with Perfect Order and Chaos Rising in the wings. But we’ll focus on the first three sets and wait to hold judgment on the next two once there’s a bit more data on them.

We will judge heavily on three criteria. All criteria are extremely subjective, and although I will attempt to be as objective as possible by removing my own biases (like how I think Venusaur is an S-Tier starter and is unmatched), I think my own prejudices will show here and there.

First, the artwork of the top chase card. The top chase card should really carry the aura and esteem of the Pokemon recognized as the top chase card and set a baseline of excellence for the rest of the artwork. Whether it's telling a story, highlighting the Pokemon in an artistic manner, or is a new expression of an old classic, we need art becoming of a top chase card.

Second, set collectibility and diversity. We need to see enough beyond the top chase, given how difficult pull rates already are for most of the top chases in Mega Evolutions. Illustration Rares of popular Pokemon, a decent array of Mega Attack Rares, and maybe other SIRs that fly under the radar because of how prominent and hyped the top chase card is. You know a set is bad when the only hits outside of the SIRs are Master Ball reverse holos.

Third, and most importantly, is future viability. Did Pokemon do enough with the ETB promos and the Pokemon chosen for secret rare artwork to ensure the set stays in the public eye and on the mind of collectors for years to come?

Let's jump in and go chronologically, starting with Mega Evolutions Base set.

GRADE: B+

For Mega Evolution Base Set, Mega Lucario ex in a Super Saiyan pose seems almost too appropriate (I mean, come on, Lucario's move Aura Sphere is basically a Kamehameha…). Centered, almost erupting in energy, this card is still one of the best gold hyper rares we've gotten.

The Rest of the Hits Grade: B

When you take a moment to appreciate the full breadth of hits in this Base Set, it's undeniable: Pokemon hit a solo homer on the first Mega Evolutions set. Not only do they feature Kanto quite heavily (Vulpix IR, Lt. Surge, Mega Kangaskhan ex), but the combination of artwork styles, stories told, and even some of the new artwork styles and perspectives we get make for extremely unique and collectible cards. As money is stretched across the hobby, there are going to be a plethora of undervalued cards in these newer sets, like the Bulbasaur IR, the Lillie's Determination SIR, and even Mega Absol ex's SIR.

I would highly consider scooping these lower value cards, especially in PSA 10s, and just holding onto them. I have a few hits from Mega Evolutions tucked away in a binder now and may become a heavy buyer heading into this summer.

I just couldn't give this set an A mainly because of the absence of Mega Attack Rares. The full arts are nice and carry over that shadow-double look from the late-Scarlet and Violet set full arts, but lack a pop and character the Mega Attack Rares bring to the fold.

Future value grade: C+

One thing is for certain: Pokemon did enough to push this set beyond Scarlet and Violet base set. They set a precedence for the Hyper Gold Rares that, quite honestly, has not been matched. The initial value of the IRs set a higher standard for how we viewed the rares from Mega Evolutions.

But there's definitely something left to be desired. The artwork for the illustration rares, and even some of the SIRs, feel like retreads, making the secret rares feel underwhelming for most people.

Even when you look at the top sealed products, the booster box design looks clean but almost too plain and even the ETB artworks are lackluster (wish they put the gold rare poses on there instead…).

I can't imagine people will be hunting for Mega Evolution Base Set quite like some of the other sets in this block. But as the starting line for this era of the TCG, it's a great set.

Grade: A

It's Charizard. In a Charizard-themed set.

But the brushstroke work, with the three previous evolutions looking up to the X mega evolution, is what captured the attention of collectors. And honestly, I loved this card when it was first revealed.

Simple, well-executed, the only downside to the card is that pre-Mega Charizard isn't featured as prominently as Charmander and Charmeleon are, but given the space constraints, giving Mega Charizard X more space to dominate makes perfect sense.

Blue flame is just so sick.

The Rest of the Hits Grade: C

Although my personal favorite card is contained within this set (the Meowth IR), when you start to see full art trainers infiltrate the top 10 most valuable in a set, you know it's not great.

Zacian got absolutely hosed, especially as Crowned Sword Zacian, and Mega Gengar ex makes an appearance but as a regular EX card.

Miss after miss, Flygon IR after Flygon IR, even opening Phantasmal Flames doesn't feel quite as rewarding when some of these hits come. I mean, if you're a big Ludicolo fan, I hope you're thrilled, but otherwise, I wouldn't pay any significant attention to a card outside of the gold Hyper Rare and SIR.

Future Value Grade: C+

Nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, is propping up the value of a set quite like this Mega Charizard X ex. There is no doubt, both the SIR and hyper gold rare are standout cards and given how hard SIRs and gold rares are to hit, the value makes sense.

If we're flooded with Phantasmal Flames, I could see an Obsidian Flames situation happen, but given how stingy the pull rates are in Phantasmal and how much better the Mega Charizard X ex SIR and gold rare are than the Obsidian Flames crystallized 'Zard, you can expect this set to maintain its value.

I know what you're thinking though. "He forgot about the UPC!" Guys, the UPC isn't even a dedicated Phantasmal Flames product, it has Scarlet and Violet packs in it. So we're skipping over that product and the promos for the Phantasmal Flames set evaluation. It's only fair.

Top Chase Grade: A+

The colors. The pose. The mean mug.

This card screams Gengar, in the absolutely most haunting way (pun intended). And although I’m partial to the Gengar VMAX Alt Art from Fusion Strike, this Mega Gengar card is definitely a top contender for best Gengar card ever.

There really isn't much more to be said. It's a better card than the Mega Charizard X ex, to me, and although the value is sky-high because of the limited availability of Ascended Heroes product in general, I can't imagine it comes down in value much at all.

Top-tier artwork, top-tier card. This is the best of the era so far.

The Rest Grade: A+

Ascended Heroes is the largest set ever released.

295 cards in total, with new additions to the Reverse Holo lineup pushing the master set to 619 cards, quantity doesn't always translate into quality. But man, I wanted to screenshot so many more cards than the 20 top cards.

Mega Dragonite ex SIR could easily be a top chase card in any modern Pokemon Set. But then you throw in TWO Pikachu SIRs in different art styles that absolutely stun, as well as Canari's introduction to Pokemon cards, a Psyduck card that has collectors going nuts over it, and our introduction to Mega Attack Rares that do not disappoint as hits.

Sure, the rest of the Mega Pokemon lineup won't turn heads, but Mega Hawlucha, Mega Diancie, and Mega Feraligater are welcome SIR additions to the TCG. And how the heck can you ignore the Surfer SIR?!

We're talking about the best of the best when it comes to the rest. With so many hits, there's something for almost everyone in this set. If you're not bookmarking any cards from this set for a potential future purchase, you're either the most niche Pokemon fan out there or you're just a hater.

Future Value Grade: A+

Ascended Heroes is still being rolled out. Which is lunacy, given how good of a set this is. But Pokemon knows what they have here. It's a true collector's set when you look at how huge the set is in combination with the theme they're going with for all their collection boxes and packaging. There's no booster box to muck up the look of their sealed product lineup here. Theming their product packaging like their Mega Attack Rares is excellent too. It gives the entire era a cohesive theme and feels way more collectible than Black Bolt and White Flare did.

The only hope we have is that they print Ascended Heroes into absolutely oblivion, like they did with Prismatic Evolutions. Prismatic Evolutions feels incomplete and rushed next to Ascended Heroes, and whatever Premium Collection box they come up with for Ascended Heroes is going to be the premier product of the entire era, without a doubt in my mind.

Just don't do like a Mega Elektross premium collection though, please…

Mega Evolution is already off to a fast and blazing start. Perfect Order and Ninja Spinner will finally be the lull the hobby needed, given how lackluster those sets already feel next to Ascended Heroes. Although Ninja Spinner has some potential to rival Phantasmal Flames, I'm just not seeing a similar level of execution with Perfect Order. I do believe it's a better set than people give it credit for, but it's not rivaling the rest of the era, even Base Set, in terms of value and execution.

Hope you're enjoying Mega Evolution as much as I am and are waiting patiently like I am to strike on your favorite cards from the first three sets in this block.

Give me all the Meowth and Mega Hawlucha cards.

Catch deals. Pull grails.