Pokémon Unveils Split TCG Sets: Black Bolt, White Flare

The Pokémon Company has announced an exciting new split expansion for the Pokémon TCG, further enriching the Scarlet & Violet series. The new expansions, titled Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt and Scarlet & Violet: White Flare, are set to launch on July 18, 2025, and will be available at participating retailers worldwide.

These expansions will spotlight the 156 Pokémon originally discovered in the Unova region. Each of these Unova Pokémon will be showcased as either an illustration rare or a special illustration rare card, with unique versions appearing in both the Black Bolt and White Flare sets.

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

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In Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt, fans will encounter the Legendary Pokémon Zekrom, while Scarlet & Violet: White Flare will introduce the Legendary Reshiram. Both sets will feature three types of parallel foil patterns, including innovative designs such as the rainbow Poké Ball and Master Ball across the card.

The expansions will also reintroduce elements from the beloved Black & White series, including nostalgic foil styles and Basic Energy cards with the original Black & White designs, adding a touch of nostalgia for long-time fans.

Pokémon TCG: Black Bolt and White Flare Preorders

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

Keep an eye on IGN for the latest updates on preorders and stock availability, and follow @IGNDeals on Twitter for instant alerts on new drops. Here 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 essential gameplay accessories.
• Binder Collection, featuring five booster packs and a nine-pocket album with Zekrom or Reshiram on the cover.
• 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, containing one booster pack from each expansion, one art card, and one sticker card.

Available August 1, 2025:

• Tech Sticker Collection, including 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, comprising 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, dubbed Black White rare, debuting with full artwork in either black or white monochrome, depending on the expansion.

Players can also enjoy 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. The digital platform allows players to collect and battle with the new Unova-region cards and earn in-game login bonuses.

Further details on the expansion, preorders, and card previews are anticipated in the coming weeks.

Pokémon TCG: Today's Best Deals

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A diverse selection of Pokémon TCG products is currently back in stock, featuring some exceptional deals. The Infernape V set, for instance, includes four booster packs, including Sword & Shield-era packs, along with a foil Infernape V, a foil Empoleon, and a jumbo card, all at a price lower than what you'd find on the secondary market.

For collectors seeking something special, the Prismatic Evolutions Eevee ex box offers four boosters, a random Eeveelution promo card (some of which resell for $15 to $60), and a storage box with dividers.

If you're interested in individual cards rather than sealed products, scroll down to see our top picks from this week's market trends.

Pokémon TCG Single Deals: Top Crashers of the Week

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