The Pokémon Company has exciting news for fans of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG). They've announced a thrilling new split expansion for the Scarlet & Violet series, named Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt and Scarlet & Violet: White Flare. Both expansions are set to hit the shelves on July 18, 2025, at participating retailers worldwide.
These expansions are a tribute to the 156 Pokémon originally discovered in the Unova region. Each Unova Pokémon will be showcased as either an illustration rare or a special illustration rare card, with unique versions available in both Black Bolt and White Flare products.
Scarlet & Violet: White Flare and Black Bolt - English Reveal
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Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt will feature the iconic Legendary Pokémon Zekrom, while Scarlet & Violet: White Flare will spotlight Reshiram. Both sets will introduce three types of parallel foil patterns, including two that will showcase either a rainbow Poké Ball or Master Ball design across the card.
In a nostalgic nod to the past, these expansions will bring back card elements from the Black & White series, including beloved foil styles and Basic Energy cards that mirror the original Black & White designs.
Pokémon TCG: Black Bolt and White Flare Preorders
While preorders for Black Bolt and White Flare haven’t been officially confirmed, they are expected to become available around mid-May. This timeline aligns with the reveal-to-preorder window seen with another 2025 release, Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals, which is set to launch this month.
For the latest updates on preorders and stock news, 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 contains nine booster packs, an illustration rare promo card featuring Thundurus or Tornadus, and various gameplay accessories.
- Binder Collection: Includes five booster packs and a nine-pocket album featuring either 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: Contains three booster packs, a promo card featuring Reuniclus or Gothitelle, and a themed sticker sheet.
- Unova Victini Illustration Collection: Includes 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
- 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. The digital release allows players to collect and battle with new Unova-region cards and earn in-game login bonuses.
More details on the expansion, preorders, and card previews are anticipated 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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A variety of Pokémon TCG products are currently back in stock, featuring some fantastic deals. For instance, the Infernape V set offers 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, the Prismatic Evolutions Eevee ex box is a great choice, coming with four boosters, a random Eeveelution promo (some of which resell for between $15 to $60), and a storage box complete with dividers.
If you're interested in individual cards rather than sealed products, scroll down for our top picks from the crashers and climbers of this week.
Pokémon TCG Single Deals: Top Crashers of the Week
Eevee - 173 Promo
4$12.36 save 51%$6.00 at TCG Player
Charmander - 044 Promo
5$21.54 save 18%$17.65 at TCG Player
N's Reshiram - 167/159 (Journey Together Stamped)
9$69.69 save 84%$10.94 at TCG Player
Pikachu ex - 238/191
1$461.73 save 37%$289.76 at TCG Player
Mew ex - 053 Promo
1$28.76 at TCG Player
Magikarp - 203/193
4$201.33 save 21%$159.99 at TCG Player
