Pokemon TCG Rushes to Print More Due to Prismatic Evolutions Shortage

The Pokemon Company is actively addressing the stock shortage of the Pokemon Trading Card Game’s latest expansion, Scarlet & Violet—Prismatic Evolutions. Dive into the details of what sparked this shortage and how the TCG plans to resolve it.

Pokemon’s Latest Expansion Shortage Due to High Demand

The overwhelming demand for the Scarlet & Violet—Prismatic Evolutions set has led to a significant shortage, as reported by IGN on January 16, 2025.

"We’re aware that some fans may experience difficulties purchasing certain Pokémon Trading Card Game: Scarlet & Violet—Prismatic Evolutions products at launch due to high demand impacting availability," a spokesperson from the Pokemon Company stated. "We understand this inconvenience can be disappointing for fans, and we are actively working to print more of the impacted Pokémon TCG products as quickly as possible and at maximum capacity to address this."

While fans may need to wait a bit longer to secure their copies, it's reassuring to know that The Pokemon Company is committed to replenishing stocks to meet the demand.

Demand for Pokemon TCG’s Prismatic Evolutions Impacts Local US Stores

The shortage of the Prismatic Evolutions set was first highlighted by the Pokemon TCG fan website, PokeBeach, on January 4, 2025.

Local Pokemon stores across the US are feeling the pinch due to this unexpected demand. "I think a large part of the issue is that stores who do not normally order Pokemon are requesting to buy this set from distributors," explained Deguire, owner of Player 1 Services, a prominent Pokemon store in Maryland, USA.

As a result, distributors have limited supplies by "10% to 15%" for local retailers, spreading the allocations thin "to give the product to as many stores as possible to retain as many accounts as possible." This has left local Pokemon stores with less stock, while larger retailers like GameStop and Target have secured larger shares.

The shortage is also driving up prices in the secondary market. For instance, the yet-to-be-released Elite Trainer Box is already being sold for $127 USD, significantly above its retail price of $55. However, once The Pokemon Company boosts production, scalpers may adjust their pricing strategies or reduce their hoarding of Prismatic Evolutions products.

Scarlet & Violet—Prismatic Evolutions’ 2024 Announcement

The excitement around Scarlet & Violet—Prismatic Evolutions began with its announcement on November 1, 2024, with a planned launch date of January 17, 2025. This set introduces Tera Pokemon ex, new special illustration rare cards, ultra rare Supporter cards, and more.

On January 7, 2025, further details were shared, revealing that the set would include "all sorts of exciting new cards along with reprints of popular cards from recent expansions that feature all-new artwork." Notable additions include Teal Mask Ogerpon ex, illustrated by Yukihiro Tada, and Roaring Moon ex by Shinji Kanda.

Additional editions of Prismatic Evolutions, such as the Surprise Box and Mini Tin, will be available starting February 7, 2025, featuring Eevee and its eight evolutions as Stellar Tera Pokemon ex. Further releases include the Booster Bundle and Pouch Special Collection, set for March 7 and April 25, 2025, respectively.

Fans eager to experience the new set can try it out in Pokemon TCG Live on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows devices starting January 16, 2025. This early access provides a great opportunity to test and update your decks before the physical release.