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Pokémon Unveils Dual TCG Sets: Black Bolt, White Flare

by Carter May 07,2025

The Pokémon Company has unveiled an exciting new split expansion for the Pokémon Trading Card Game, extending the popular Scarlet & Violet series. Named Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt and Scarlet & Violet: White Flare, these expansions are set to launch on July 18, 2025, and will be available at participating retailers worldwide.

These expansions spotlight the 156 Pokémon from the Unova region, each appearing as either an illustration rare or a special illustration rare card, with unique versions in each set. Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt will spotlight the Legendary Pokémon Zekrom, while Scarlet & Violet: White Flare will showcase Reshiram. Both sets will introduce three types of parallel foil patterns, including designs featuring either a rainbow Poké Ball or a Master Ball.

The new sets will also revive elements from the Black & White series, such as nostalgic foil styles and Basic Energy cards with the original Black & White designs, adding a touch of nostalgia for long-time fans.

Scarlet & Violet: White Flare and Black Bolt - English Reveal

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Pokémon TCG: Black Bolt and White Flare Preorders

While preorders for Black Bolt and White Flare have not been confirmed yet, they are expected to become available around mid-May. This aligns with the preorder timeline observed for another 2025 release, Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals, set to launch this month.

Stay tuned to IGN for updates on preorders and the latest Pokémon TCG stock news. Follow @IGNDeals on Twitter for real-time alerts on product drops. Here are the confirmed release dates for the various products within the Black Bolt and White Flare expansions:

Available July 18, 2025:

Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt or White Flare Elite Trainer Box, each containing nine booster packs, an illustration rare promo card featuring Thundurus or Tornadus, and gameplay accessories.
Binder Collection, including five booster packs and a nine-pocket album featuring Zekrom or Reshiram.
Unova Poster Collection, with two booster packs from each expansion, three promo cards featuring Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott, and a full-size double-sided poster.
Unova Mini Tin, including one booster pack from each expansion, one art card, and one sticker card.

Available August 1, 2025:

Tech Sticker Collection, with three booster packs, a promo card featuring Reuniclus or Gothitelle, and a themed sticker sheet.
Unova Victini Illustration Collection, with four booster packs, a foil promo card featuring Victini, a premium parallel Poké Ball version of Victini, and an oversized foil card.

Available August 22, 2025:

Booster Bundle, including six booster packs from either Black Bolt or White Flare.

Key Features Across Both Expansions:

Six Pokémon ex.
Eight ultra rare Pokémon and Supporter cards.
One illustration rare or special illustration rare card for each Unova Pokémon.
One special illustration rare Supporter card.
A new card style, called Black White rare, featuring full artwork in either black or white monochrome, depending on the expansion.

Players can also access Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt and White Flare digitally starting July 17, 2025, through the Pokémon TCG Live app on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows. This digital release will allow players to collect and battle with new Unova-region cards and earn in-game login bonuses.

More details on the expansion, preorders, and card previews are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

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A variety of Pokémon TCG products are currently back in stock, featuring some exceptional deals. For instance, the Infernape V set comes with four booster packs, including Sword & Shield-era packs, a foil Infernape V, a foil Empoleon, and a jumbo card, all at a price that's more affordable than the secondary market.

For collectors seeking something special, the Prismatic Evolutions Eevee ex box offers four booster packs, a random Eeveelution promo (which can resell for between $15 and $60), and a storage box complete with dividers.

If you're after individual cards rather than sealed products, check out our top picks from this week's market trends below.