Pokémon Unveils Dual TCG Sets: Black Bolt, White Flare

The Pokémon Company has exciting news for fans of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) with the announcement of two new expansions in the 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 celebrate the 156 Pokémon originally discovered in the Unova region, featuring each as either an illustration rare or a special illustration rare card. Enthusiasts can look forward to different versions of these cards across the Black Bolt and White Flare products.

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

View 7 Images

Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt will spotlight the Legendary Pokémon Zekrom, while Scarlet & Violet: White Flare will focus on Reshiram. Both sets will introduce three distinct parallel foil patterns, including two featuring either a rainbow Poké Ball or Master Ball design spread across the card.

In a nod to nostalgia, the expansions will revive card elements from the Black & White series, such as classic foil styles and Basic Energy cards with the original Black & White series designs.

Pokémon TCG: Black Bolt and White Flare Preorders

While preorders for Black Bolt and White Flare have yet to be confirmed, they are anticipated to become available around mid-May. This aligns with the typical reveal-to-preorder timeline, as seen with the upcoming Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals, set to launch 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 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 including nine booster packs, an illustration rare promo card featuring Thundurus or Tornadus, and various gameplay accessories
• Binder Collection, with five booster packs and a nine-pocket album showcasing Zekrom or Reshiram
• Unova Poster Collection, containing 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 enjoy Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt and White Flare digitally, with the expansions launching on 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 the new Unova-region cards and receive 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

$79.00 save 24%
$59.99 at Amazon

Surging Sparks Booster Bundle

$54.90 save 9%
$49.99 at Amazon

151 Poster Collection

$40.97 at Amazon

Infernape V Box

$43.99 at Amazon

Terapagos ex Ultra-Premium

$142.92 at Amazon

Shrouded Fable ETB

$66.86 at Amazon

Paldean Fates Booster Bundle

$69.45 save 8%
$63.99 at Amazon

2004 Pokéball Bundle

$59.99 save 15%
$50.90 at Amazon

2004 Pokéball Bundle

$59.99 save 16%
$50.38 at Amazon

Surging Sparks Booster Box

$275.65 save 4%
$265.99 at Amazon

A variety of Pokémon TCG products are currently in stock, featuring some excellent deals. The Infernape V set, for instance, offers four booster packs, including Sword & Shield-era packs, a foil Infernape V, a foil Empoleon, and a jumbo card, all at a price lower than the secondary market.

For those interested in more collectible items, the Prismatic Evolutions Eevee ex box comes with four boosters, a random Eeveelution promo (some of which resell for $15 to $60), and a storage box with dividers.

If you're looking for individual cards rather than sealed products, check out our top picks from the crashers and climbers of this week.

Pokémon TCG Single Deals: Top Crashers of the Week

Eevee - 173 Promo

$12.36 save 51%
$6.00 at TCG Player

Charmander - 044 Promo

$21.54 save 18%
$17.65 at TCG Player

N's Reshiram - 167/159 (Journey Together Stamped)

$69.69 save 84%
$10.94 at TCG Player

Pikachu ex - 238/191

$461.73 save 37%
$289.76 at TCG Player

Mew ex - 053 Promo

$28.76 at TCG Player

Magikarp - 203/193

$201.33 save 21%
$159.99 at TCG Player