Ever since I got back into collecting Pokémon cards just before Stellar Crown released in 2024, I haven't found a set that I truly, madly, and deeply adore. That is, until Pokémon Ascended Heroes and its Japanese twin Mega Dream ex were announced, because those chases had me unseasonably excited. This, I felt, was going to be my first master set: a collection of every card, from #1 all the way to #295, and any promos I could get my hands on, too. Six packs later (and that's a lot by modern standards and stock shortage issues), I'm starting to worry my efforts will be in vain.
Am I still going to attempt to pull every single card in the Pokémon TCG's latest expansion? Yes. Sadly, I've made that a goal for the year, and that means every SIR and every new Mega Attack chase will be mine eventually, whether by good luck, sheer force of will, or (let's be honest) spending out some of my hard-earned cash. I'll never own the million dollar cardboard rectangles in our list of the world's most expensive rare Pokémon cards - but having a binder full of goodies is worth the debt I will almost certainly incur, especially with some cards around the $1,000 mark at release.
I was fortunate enough to get two Tech Sticker Collections - one for Charmander and one for Gastly. That's six Pokémon Ascended Heroes packs, and while that's nowhere near enough to even hope for an SIR, well, it's the best I can do right now. I am a Poképack ripping addict, but I have my purchasing limits.
The results? Well, compared to the exciting pull rates I got working on my Pokémon Phantasmal Flames review, my haul wasn't enormously exciting. I got a Weavile IR and plenty of reverse holos and shiny energy cards, though, so at the very least it's much better than my miserable experience with over 30 packs of Prismatic Evolutions. I'm very sad I didn't get that stunning Mega Dragonite ex SIR, but not every pack can be a winner.
I was also a little disappointed with the bonus contents of the Tech Sticker Collections. Two stickers and a Foil Promo isn't exactly worth the extra money compared to buying just three packs (or it would be, if The Pokémon Company actually released single packs of special sets). I think a sheet of multiple stickers or a better additional card would make it a much more enticing deal. But all of this will read like 'blah blah blah' to most readers - it's Ascended Heroes. You'll buy it anyway, and chances are, so will I.
However, I did enjoy the variety of Pokémon available. Rayquaza, Fan Rotom, Togepi, Charmander - it felt like a direct shot of nostalgia made just for me, and even though I'm somewhat disappointed, I do have two ETBs coming in February, so I'm obviously keen to keep collecting Ascended Heroes. After Prismatic, I vowed not to buy any more packs from that set, mainly due to a poor pull rate. While I do love the Eeveelution SIRs, it's not enough for me to spend out on more packs. Ascended, though has me in a chokehold. I just need to pull those gorgeous SIRs.
I can't say I'm not nervous to open another selection of 22 packs and feel a bit lacking in the pulls, but with a goal in my mind to catch 'em all, and the inevitable feeling of dreadful hope to complete a master set, I'm a bit more 'rose-tinted glasses' this time around. Is that a good idea? Probably not, and my bank is probably going to tell me off for buying so many packs, but at least I'm enjoying it this time around. I can't say the same for Prismatic.
Whether you want to join me in my journey or chat with other collectors like myself, make sure to join our Wargamer Discord. You can also talk with people from other hobbies, from Warhammer and board games to D&D or Disney Lorcana, and you'll also be pinged if there's any Pokémon deals - yes, we're hopeful there too.