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 a new split expansion for the Scarlet & Violet series. Titled 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.

These expansions will spotlight 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 appearing in 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 feature the Legendary Pokémon Zekrom, while Scarlet & Violet: White Flare will showcase Reshiram. Both sets will introduce three types of parallel foil patterns, including two that will display either a rainbow Poké Ball or Master Ball design across the card.

These expansions will also bring back card elements from the Black & White series, such as nostalgic foil styles and Basic Energy cards that use the original Black & White series 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 open around mid-May. This timeline aligns with the reveal-to-preorder window observed with another 2025 release, Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals, set to launch this month.

Stay tuned to IGN for the latest on preorder updates and broader Pokémon TCG stock news, and follow @IGNDeals on Twitter for the newest drops. Here are the confirmed release dates for the various products in 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 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 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: 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
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 can also enjoy Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt and White Flare digitally starting July 17, 2025, through the Pokémon TCG Live app on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows. The digital release will allow 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 expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.

Pokémon TCG: Today's Best Deals

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A diverse range of Pokémon TCG products is currently back in stock, featuring some standout deals. For instance, the Infernape V set offers four booster packs, including Sword & Shield-era packs, plus 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, the Prismatic Evolutions Eevee ex box includes four boosters, a random Eeveelution promo (some reselling for $15 to $60), and a storage box with dividers.

If you're looking for single cards instead of sealed products, scroll down to see our top picks from the crashers and climbers of this week.