Home News Pokémon TCG Unveils Dual Expansions: Black Bolt and White Flare

Pokémon TCG Unveils Dual Expansions: Black Bolt and White Flare

Author : Christopher Update : May 13,2025

The Pokémon Company has exciting news for fans of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), with the announcement of a new split expansion continuing the Scarlet & Violet series. Titled Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt and Scarlet & Violet: White Flare, these expansions are set to launch on July 18, 2025, at participating retailers around the globe.

Both expansions celebrate the 156 Pokémon from the Unova region, with each Pokémon featured as either an illustration rare or a special illustration rare card. The difference lies in the variations available across the Black Bolt and White Flare products, offering collectors unique versions to chase after.

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

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

Adding a nostalgic touch, the expansions will revive elements from the Black & White series, including classic foil styles and Basic Energy cards adorned with the original Black & White designs.

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 timeline aligns with the reveal-to-preorder period observed with another 2025 release, Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals, set to launch this month.

Stay tuned to IGN for updates on preorders and broader Pokémon TCG stock news, and follow @IGNDeals on Twitter for the latest on product drops. Here are the confirmed release dates for 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 includes nine booster packs, an illustration rare promo card featuring Thundurus or Tornadus, and gameplay accessories.
Binder Collection: Includes five booster packs and a nine-pocket album featuring Zekrom or Reshiram.
Unova Poster Collection: Comes 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: Contains one booster pack from each expansion, one art card, and one sticker card.

Available August 1, 2025:

Tech Sticker Collection: Includes three booster packs, a promo card featuring Reuniclus or Gothitelle, and a themed sticker sheet.
Unova Victini Illustration Collection: Comes 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: Includes 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 will also have the opportunity to experience Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt and White Flare digitally, starting July 17, 2025, through the Pokémon TCG Live app available on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows. This digital release will enable players to collect and battle with the new Unova-region cards and earn in-game login bonuses.

More information on the expansion, preorders, and card previews is expected to be released 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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2004 Pokéball Bundle

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Surging Sparks Booster Box

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A variety of Pokémon TCG products are currently available, with some standout deals. The Infernape V set, for instance, offers four booster packs, including Sword & Shield-era packs, along with a foil Infernape V, 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 includes four boosters, a random Eeveelution promo card (some of which resell for between $15 and $60), and a storage box with dividers.

If you're interested in single cards rather than sealed products, scroll down for our top picks from the week's most significant price drops.