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Pokémon TCG Unveils Dual Expansions: Black Bolt, White Flare

Author：Kristen Update：May 23,2025

The Pokémon Company has exciting news for fans of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, announcing the release of two new expansions under the Scarlet & Violet series. Named Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt and Scarlet & Violet: White Flare, these expansions are set to hit participating retailers worldwide on July 18, 2025. Both sets will celebrate the 156 Pokémon originally discovered in the Unova region, featuring them as either illustration rare or special illustration rare cards, with unique versions available in each expansion.

Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt will spotlight the Legendary Pokémon Zekrom, while Scarlet & Violet: White Flare will showcase Reshiram. Each set will introduce three types of parallel foil patterns, including innovative designs like a rainbow Poké Ball or a Master Ball across the card. Additionally, the expansions will bring back nostalgic elements from the Black & White series, including foil styles and Basic Energy cards with the original designs.

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

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Pokémon TCG: Black Bolt and White Flare Preorders

While preorders for Black Bolt and White Flare have not been officially confirmed, they are expected to become available around mid-May. This timeline aligns with the reveal-to-preorder window observed with another 2025 release, Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals, which is set to launch this month. For the latest updates on preorders and stock news, stay tuned to IGN and follow @IGNDeals on Twitter.

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 Thundurus or Tornadus, and various gameplay accessories.
**Binder Collection**: Contains five booster packs and a nine-pocket album featuring Zekrom or Reshiram.
**Unova Poster Collection**: Includes two booster packs from each expansion, three promo cards featuring Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott, and a full-size double-sided poster.
**Unova Mini Tin**: Comes with 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 with 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**: Offers 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, available on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows. The digital platform allows players to collect and battle with new Unova-region cards and earn in-game login bonuses.

More details on the expansions, preorders, and card previews are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

Pokémon TCG: Today's Best Deals

Prismatic Evolutions Surprise Box

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Surging Sparks Booster Box

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Today, a variety of Pokémon TCG products are 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 the secondary market. If you're looking for something more collectible, 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.

For those interested in single cards, scroll down for our top picks from the crashers and climbers of this week.