Pokémon TCG Unveils Dual Expansions: Black Bolt, White Flare

The Pokémon Company has exciting news for fans of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), announcing the latest split expansion in the Scarlet & Violet series. Mark your calendars for July 18, 2025, when Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt and Scarlet & Violet: White Flare will hit the shelves at participating retailers around the globe.

These expansions dive deep into the Unova region, showcasing all 156 Pokémon from that area in stunning detail. Each Unova Pokémon will be featured as either an illustration rare or a special illustration rare card, with unique versions exclusive to either Black Bolt or White Flare. This offers collectors and players a chance to gather an impressive array of cards from this beloved region.

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 highlight Reshiram. Both sets are set to dazzle with three types of parallel foil patterns, including a visually striking rainbow Poké Ball and Master Ball design across the cards.

Adding a touch of nostalgia, these expansions will revive elements from the classic Black & White series, featuring iconic foil styles and the original Basic Energy card designs from that era.

Pokémon TCG: Black Bolt and White Flare Preorders

While preorders for Black Bolt and White Flare are yet to be confirmed, they are expected to open around mid-May, aligning with the reveal-to-preorder timeline we observed for the upcoming Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals set, launching this month.

Stay tuned to IGN for the latest updates on preorders and stock availability, and don't forget to follow @IGNDeals on Twitter for real-time alerts on new releases. Below, you'll find the confirmed release dates for 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 comes packed with nine booster packs, an illustration rare promo card featuring Thundurus or Tornadus, and essential gameplay accessories.
Binder Collection: Includes five booster packs and a nine-pocket album showcasing either Zekrom or Reshiram.
Unova Poster Collection: Offers two booster packs from each expansion, three promo cards featuring Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott, plus 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: Features three booster packs, a promo card showcasing 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 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, will debut, featuring full artwork in either black or white monochrome, depending on the expansion.

Starting July 17, 2025, players can dive into Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt and White Flare digitally via the Pokémon TCG Live app, available on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows. The digital platform will enable fans to collect and battle with the new Unova-region cards and earn exclusive in-game login bonuses.

Keep an eye out for more information on the expansion, preorders, and card previews, which will be released in the coming weeks.

Pokémon TCG: Today's Best Deals

Prismatic Evolutions Surprise Box

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Surging Sparks Booster Bundle

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151 Poster Collection

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Infernape V Box

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2004 Pokéball Bundle

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Surging Sparks Booster Box

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Today's restocked Pokémon TCG products include some great deals. The Infernape V set, for instance, is a steal with four booster packs, including Sword & Shield-era packs, a foil Infernape V, a foil Empoleon, and a jumbo card, all at a price below the secondary market rates.

For collectors seeking something special, the Prismatic Evolutions Eevee ex box comes with four boosters, a random Eeveelution promo (with some reselling for $15 to $60), and a storage box complete with dividers.

If you're in the market for individual cards, take a look at our top picks from this week's price drops: