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Pokémon Unveils Split TCG Sets: Black Bolt, White Flare

by Olivia May 22,2025

The Pokémon Company has unveiled a thrilling split expansion for the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), extending the popular Scarlet & Violet series. Dubbed Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt and Scarlet & Violet: White Flare, these expansions are set to hit the shelves on July 18, 2025, available at participating retailers around the globe.

These expansions are a nod to the 156 Pokémon originally discovered in the Unova region. Each Unova Pokémon will be showcased as either an illustration rare or a special illustration rare card, with distinct versions featured in the Black Bolt and White Flare products.

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

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Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt will spotlight the Legendary Pokémon Zekrom, while Scarlet & Violet: White Flare will focus on Reshiram. Each set introduces three unique parallel foil patterns, including two that showcase either a rainbow Poké Ball or Master Ball design across the card.

Adding a touch of nostalgia, the expansions will revive elements from the Black & White series, such as vintage foil styles and Basic Energy cards featuring the classic Black & White designs.

Pokémon TCG: Black Bolt and White Flare Preorders

Preorders for Black Bolt and White Flare are expected to open around mid-May, aligning with the reveal-to-preorder timeline seen with the upcoming Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals set, launching this month.

For the latest updates on preorders and stock availability, keep an eye on IGN and follow @IGNDeals on Twitter. Below are the confirmed release dates for the various products within the new Black Bolt and White Flare expansions.

Pokémon TCG - Scarlet & Violet: White Flare - Credit: The Pokémon Company

Available July 18, 2025:

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

Available August 1, 2025:

Tech Sticker Collection: Offers three booster packs, a promo card featuring Reuniclus or Gothitelle, and a themed sticker sheet.
Unova Victini Illustration Collection: Includes 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: Contains six booster packs from either Black Bolt or White Flare.

Key Features Across Both Expansions:

Six Pokémon ex cards
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 dive into Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt and White Flare digitally starting July 17, 2025, via the Pokémon TCG Live app, available on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows. This digital release enables players to collect and battle with the new Unova-region cards and earn in-game login bonuses.

Stay tuned for more details on the expansion, preorders, and card previews in the coming weeks.

Pokémon TCG: Today's Best Deals

Prismatic Evolutions Surprise Box

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151 Poster Collection

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A variety of Pokémon TCG products are currently in stock, with some excellent deals available. The Infernape V set, for instance, includes four booster packs from the Sword & Shield era, along with a foil Infernape V, a foil Empoleon, and a jumbo card, all at a price point that beats the secondary market.

For collectors, the Prismatic Evolutions Eevee ex box offers four booster packs, a random Eeveelution promo card (some of which are reselling for $15 to $60), and a storage box with dividers.

If you're interested in single cards, scroll down to see our top picks from the week's most notable price drops.