Get your deck boxes and sleeves ready, CardCodex community. The next major expansion in the ongoing Mega Evolution series has officially been unveiled: Delta Reign!
Mark your calendars, because we are getting a staggered global rollout that kicks off this summer:
- Japanese Release (Storm Emeralda): July 31, 2026
- Western Release (Delta Reign): November 6, 2026
(As a massive bonus for digital fans, Pokémon TCG Pocket will also be getting its next expansion, Ruler of the Skies, on July 30, 2026!)
Track Your TCG Collection
Create your free Card Codex account to monitor card prices, view real-time market trends, and analyse your portfolio’s growth.
Start Tracking Now — It’s FreeMega Evolutions Meet Delta Species?
While official card text and full art reveals are still tightly under wraps, the community is already losing its collective mind over the name choice.
We are currently deep in the Mega Evolution era of the TCG, which reintroduced high-risk, high-reward 3-Prize Mega Evolution Pokémon ex. This perfectly mirrors what’s happening over on Nintendo Switch, where Pokémon Legends: Z-A has been driving the hype train with Mega-centric ranked battle rewards.
But adding “Delta” to the title? That strongly hints at a revival of arguably the greatest gimmick in TCG history: Delta Species. Originally hailing from the mid-2005 Holon region sets, Delta Species cards featured uniquely type-shifted Pokémon, like a Lightning-type Charmander or a dual Metal-type Tyrantitar.
The Big Theory: If Delta Reign combines the raw power and massive HP of modern Mega Evolution ex cards with type-shifted Delta Species mechanics, the meta is about to be turned entirely upside down. Imagine trying to calculate weaknesses against a Fire-type Mega Gyarados ex or a Grass-type Mega Lucario ex.
The Rayquaza Surge: Why ‘Delta Reign’ Will Spike Prices
Whenever Pokémon revives a vintage mechanic, one mascot bears the brunt of the market hype: Rayquaza. As the legendary poster child for both Delta Species and Mega Evolution, Rayquaza’s older cards are about to see a massive price surge.
- The Delta Era: It spearheaded the gimmick in 2005 as a dual Lightning/Metal type (EX Delta Species) and a Water-type (EX Dragon Frontiers).
- The Mega Era: Mega Rayquaza EX prints absolutely dominated both the competitive meta and collector markets during the XY generation.
When Delta Reign drops, collectors will rush to build “historical evolution” displays, driving up demand for vintage singles.
🔍 Priority Rayquaza Cards to Watch
| Card Category | Top Targets | Why It Will Rise |
| Vintage Delta Species | EX Delta Species Rayquaza (#13) EX Dragon Frontiers Rayquaza ex (#97) | 20-year-old cards. Near-Mint supply is already incredibly scarce. |
| XY-Era Mega Rayquazas | Roaring Skies M-Rayquaza-EX (#105) Ancient Origins Shiny Mega Rayquaza EX (#98) | Modern collectors will want the original Mega versions to pair with the new set. |
| Modern Alternate Arts | Evolving Skies Rayquaza VMAX Alt Art (#218) – Rayquaza V Evolving Skies (#194) | General Rayquaza hype always trickles down into its modern “grail” cards. |
What This Means for CardCodex
As soon as the Japanese Storm Emeralda secret rares start leaking at the end of July, we will be updating the CardCodex database with full card translations, illustration rare galleries, and market price trackers.
Are you excited to see a potential return to the Holon region, or are you still trying to master the current Chaos Rising meta? Drop your wildest card predictions in our discord server!
