Pokémon TCG Unveils Dual Expansions: Black Bolt and White Flare

The Pokémon Company has exciting news for fans of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), announcing a new split expansion within the ongoing 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.

Focused on the 156 Pokémon originally discovered in the Unova region, each Pokémon will be featured 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

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Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt will spotlight the Legendary Pokémon Zekrom, while Scarlet & Violet: White Flare will showcase Reshiram. Both sets will introduce three types of parallel foil patterns, including unique designs featuring a rainbow Poké Ball or a Master Ball across the card.

These expansions will also revive elements from the beloved Black & White series, such as nostalgic foil styles and Basic Energy cards designed in the original Black & White aesthetic, bringing a touch of nostalgia to the new releases.

Pokémon TCG: Black Bolt and White Flare Preorders

Preorders for Black Bolt and White Flare are anticipated to commence around mid-May. This aligns with the reveal-to-preorder schedule 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 Pokémon TCG stock news, and follow @IGNDeals on Twitter for real-time updates 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 box includes nine booster packs, an illustration rare promo card featuring either Thundurus or Tornadus, and essential gameplay accessories.
• **Binder Collection** - Contains five booster packs and a nine-pocket album showcasing 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** - Includes 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 either Reuniclus or Gothitelle, and a themed sticker sheet.
• **Unova Victini Illustration Collection** - Offers 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.

Starting July 17, 2025, players can access Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt and White Flare digitally via the Pokémon TCG Live app on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows platforms. This digital release will allow 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 expected to be released in the coming weeks.

Pokémon TCG: Today's Best Deals

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A diverse selection of Pokémon TCG products is currently available, including some remarkable 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 the secondary market.

For collectors, the Prismatic Evolutions Eevee ex box is a must-have, featuring 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 for our top picks from this week's market trends.

Pokémon TCG Single Deals: Top Crashers of the Week

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