So we sat down to open two Mega EX boxes and I honestly wasn’t expecting much, you know we’ve had some rough pulls recently on a few different sets and I figured this would just be a fun thing to do with Tanner, and then we pulled TWO Lapras EX cards and kind of lost our minds a little bit lol.
This is the kind of session where everything just goes right you know, the cards were fire, Tanner was hyped, and we’re now officially deep enough into collecting that we need a second binder which is kind of a fun problem to have or whatever.
What We Opened: Mega Kangaskhan EX and Mega Latias EX
So these are two different Mega EX boxes and if you haven’t seen these before they’re actually pretty cool in terms of what you get, each box comes with an oversized promo card and a smaller promo card and then four packs.
The packs inside are from the Mega Evolutions set and Destined Rivals, so you’re getting a mix of older sets which means there’s some interesting cards in there you don’t see as much anymore and that’s part of what makes these fun to open.
The promo cards in these boxes are also worth mentioning because they’re like this 3D card format and I mean when you pick them up you’re like wait why is this card so heavy, they’re noticeably heavier than regular cards and the 3D effect is actually pretty cool, Tanner thought it was really neat and you know I did too even though I was trying to act like a normal adult about it.
The Big Moment: We Both Pull Lapras EX
The Pull That Made the Session
There was one moment in this session that completely changed the energy.
Tanner has a very specific collecting goal right now. He is building what we call his collector binder, and it is focused on three favorites: Lapras, Gyarados, and Magikarp. Every pack we open, I am quietly tracking in my head what would count as a great pull for him.
Then it happened.
We opened a pack and a Lapras EX showed up. We both yelled instantly. No build-up, no hesitation, just pure excitement. It already felt like a win for the day, but somehow the session was not done surprising us. Later on, while opening the Mega Latias box, we pulled another Lapras EX.
The odds of that happening felt pretty low. We went in with two boxes hoping for at least one solid hit, and instead ended up with two of the exact card Tanner wanted most for his collection. Some pack-opening sessions are steady but uneventful. Then there are days like this where everything lines up and you are both losing it in the best way.
We pulled other great cards along the way, including Nidoking and Gengar, but the double Lapras moment easily became the highlight.
How We Play the “Which Card Wins” Game
If you have watched our card-opening videos before, you probably know we have a running game where we compare cards from each pack and decide which one wins. It sounds simple, but it turns into surprisingly passionate debates.
Tanner has strong opinions about his favorite Pokémon. I have my own, and they do not always match. That contrast is where most of the fun comes from. His obvious bias toward Lapras shows up constantly, while I tend to root for more overlooked picks. I have always had a soft spot for Tangela, which does not get nearly enough love.
Every pack sparks another mini debate. It might seem small, but those moments of back-and-forth are honestly one of my favorite parts of filming together. Watching him form opinions and defend them makes the experience feel more meaningful than just opening cards.
There was also a quick on-camera moment where I accidentally called him by the wrong name. He gave me a look, I corrected myself, and we kept going. Classic.
The Collector Binder We Built Without Planning
The collector binder itself has turned into something special.
Originally, Tanner had a Charmander binder that we used for his Riftbound cards. Over time, the approach shifted. Instead of randomly storing pulls, he started intentionally collecting specific Pokémon. That is how the Lapras, Gyarados, and Magikarp theme was born.
Seeing that level of intention from a six-year-old is pretty cool. He is not just opening packs. He is curating something that feels like his.
We are already running out of space, so another binder is probably coming soon. During the video, we even started talking about future themes. I mentioned possibly collecting Pichu cards, and Tanner had strong opinions about which Pikachu variations he wanted to chase next. The next collection is basically decided.
At some point, I would love to film a full binder reveal and show everything we have built so far. Once the pages fill out a bit more, that feels like a video worth making.
Key Hits From This Session
- Lapras EX (reverse holo) from the Mega Genghaskhan box — direct to Tanner’s collector binder
- Second Lapras pull from the Mega Latias box (non-reverse, but still a Lapras so it’s going in)
- Nidoking and Gengar as other solid hits across both boxes
- Oversized 3D promo cards from both boxes as display pieces
Key Takeaways From This Session
- Mega EX boxes are a solid buy if you like the older Mega Evolutions and Destined Rivals sets — you get promo cards plus 4 packs per box
- The 3D oversized promo cards in these boxes are noticeably heavier than regular cards, it’s a cool physical detail
- We pulled TWO Lapras EX cards across both boxes which given Tanner’s Lapras collection is kind of a dream outcome
- Tanner’s collector binder is filling up fast — the Lapras/Gyarados/Magikarp theme is going strong
- We’re planning a binder reveal video once they’re full
Frequently Asked Questions
What cards are in Mega EX boxes?
Each Mega EX box comes with an oversized promo card (in the 3D heavy format), a smaller promo card, and four booster packs from the Mega Evolutions and Destined Rivals sets, so you get a nice mix and the promo cards are actually pretty cool display pieces on their own.
What did Derek and Tanner pull from these two boxes?
The highlight of the session was pulling TWO Lapras EX cards across both boxes which was huge for Tanner’s collector binder, plus Nidoking, Gengar, and a bunch of other solid cards throughout the packs.
What is Tanner’s collector binder theme?
Tanner is specifically collecting Lapras, Gyarados, and Magikarp cards, and he keeps them in a separate binder just for that collection, and after this session it’s filling up fast so they’re going to need a second binder soon.
Are Mega EX boxes worth opening?
Based on this session they can be really good especially if you like the older sets, the Mega Evolutions and Destined Rivals packs have some interesting cards you don’t see as much in current sets, and the oversized promo cards are a nice bonus.
What other TCG sets do Derek and Tanner open?
They’ve also been opening League of Legends Riftbound cards from the new TCG set, and based on a viewer comment they apparently pulled some very valuable Kai’Sa cards including an alt card and signature spell that are reportedly worth around $150 together, which they didn’t even realize at the time.
When is the binder reveal video coming?
Derek mentioned wanting to do a full binder reveal once their collections are more filled out, so that’s a video that’s coming at some point where they’ll show off everything they’ve been building in their themed collector binders.