Key Takeaways:
- Pokemon Black Bolt and White Flare is following the Japanese TCG’s lead, both in their shared name and in being the first to be released as a split release.
- This split will be massive, with an expansion of special abilities for the Pokemon.
- You can count on plenty of collectible art that is as unique as the Unova region itself.
The latest set to be released from Pokemon TCG is Black Bolt and White Flare, which takes us back to the Unova region, when Generation 5 was first released in 2010. This time around, for the release dates between July 18 and August 22, there are even more exciting updates that show that Black and White are always in style. Here’s what we know so far about Pokemon Black Bolt and White Flare, and why we can’t wait to bring it to our fans!
Enjoy Unova-tive Split Releases
The 5th Generation was an especially innovative batch of Pokemon, as it literally departed from previous regions such as Kanto, Sinnoh, Hoenn, and Johto geographically as well as in terms of the Pokemon discovered there. Pokemon Black and White treated fans to a Pokedex of 156 completely brand-new Pokemon, with no encore appearances of previous generations of Pokemon. This break from the tried-and-true was risky, but even the most reluctant fans have come to accept and even adore the brand new cast of Pocket Monsters.
In that same spirit of new traditions, and before we get into the specifics of the box itself, it's worth highlighting that the release of Pokemon Black Bolt and White Flare marks the first time that the English TCG is being released as a split set, meaning that both parts are entirely separate, but will be released in the same time frame to complement each others’ cards.
This release mirrors Japan’s version of the TCG, which was met with plenty of enthusiasm. This is the first time the Japanese and English TCG have shared the same name! Also, similar to Japan’s launch, we can expect the English Pokemon TCG Black Bolt and White Flare to be comparable, in which there are two distinctly individual sets that can be combined to show off all the imaginative new Pokemon that Generation 5 is celebrated for.
Unovakind Kind Set for Collectors
Let’s delve into what that means for the split releases and what you can look forward to with the Elite Trainer Boxes.
Just like the original Pokemon: Black and White releases a decade and a half ago, the Pokemon Black Bolt and White Flare boxes will be divided by the kinds of Pokemon that are respective to their “black” and “white” editions. In other words, you can expect that Pokemon Black Bolt will feature Pokemon like Zekrom and Thundurus, while White Flare of the original Pokemon White Edition will exclusively offer Tornadus and Reshiram. Just as thrilling, you can look forward to more legendaries in their EX variations, including the adorable Keldeo in White Flare and the melodious Meloetta in Black Bolt.
- 9 Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Black Bolt booster packs
- 1 full-art foil promo card featuring Thundurus
- 65 card sleeves
- 45 Pokémon TCG Energy cards
- A player’s guide to the Scarlet & Violet—Black Bolt expansion
- 6 damage-counter dice
- 1 competition-legal coin-flip die
- 2 plastic condition markers
- A collector’s box to hold everything, with 4 dividers to keep it organized
- A code card for Pokémon Trading Card Game Live
White Flare Elite Trainer Box:
- 9 Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—White Flare booster packs
- 1 full-art foil promo card featuring Tornadus
- 65 card sleeves
- 45 Pokémon TCG Energy cards
- A player’s guide to the Scarlet & Violet—White Flare expansion
- 6 damage-counter dice
- 1 competition-legal coin-flip die
- 2 plastic condition markers
- A collector’s box to hold everything, with 4 dividers to keep it organized
- A code card for Pokémon Trading Card Game Live
Peeking Inside the Box
Like with any quintessential Pokemon TCG box, you can expect to be greeted with charming new artwork of Unova Poster Collection’s starter Pokemon Snivey, Tepig, and Oshawatt, as well as their evolutions, and rare collectibles that feature the iconic mythical Pokemon Victini. After all, legend has it that having a trainer with Victini in their retinue can’t lose, and that’s essentially how we feel about Pokemon Black Bolt and White Flare!
In addition, trainers can look forward to eight ultra rare Pokemon and Supporter cards, including favorite characters from the Unova series, as well as over five special illustration rare cards and over 64 illustration rare cards, leaving fans of Generation 5 to have plenty of art to enjoy, play, and display with included nine-pocket albums featuring the Zekrom for Black Bolt and Reshiram for White Flare.
White Flare Sticker Collection:
- 1 foil promo card featuring Gothitelle
- 1 tech sticker sheet
- 3 Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—White Flare booster packs
- A code card for Pokémon TCG Live
Black Bolt Sticker Collection:
- 1 foil promo card featuring Reuniclus
- 1 tech sticker sheet
- 3 Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Black Bolt booster packs
- A code card for Pokémon TCG Live
- 3 foil promo cards featuring Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott
- 1 double-sided poster, 26.875" × 39"
- 2 Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Black Bolt booster packs
- 2 Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—White Flare booster packs
- A code card for Pokémon TCG Live
Plenty of Fun Goodies
In addition to 170 standard cards per set, and like other boxes, you can also look forward to even more fun artwork. Enjoy a Pokemon Black Bolt and White Flare limited edition two-sided Poster Collection, collectible tins, and …a Sticker Collection! For this collectible adhesive art, look for Unova's favorite psychic types, such as Gothitelle and Reuniclus.
Living in the Grey
There is a lot we can eagerly count on for Pokemon TCG Black Bolt and White Flare, including new “Black White rare” cards that feature art fully in - you guessed it! - black and white, making this an especially creative box set.
That said, there’s still plenty in the grey area to speculate on.
For example, there will be different foil sets, but whether you will get a rainbow Pokeball or a sparkly Master Ball to complement all that black and white is still undetermined. You can also expect a reverse holo for each of the 156 Pokemon and their regular card, but what that art will look like for the US Pokemon TCG is anyone’s guess.
In terms of gameplay and if the rumors and leaks are true, we can anticipate plenty of special arts to match the myriad of new collectible rare art to accompany it.
Come Visit Us
There’s plenty we’re eager to unpack when Pokemon Black Bolt and White Flare go from pre-order to new releases, although we doubt that this release will last long on our shelves.
We at Flipside Gaming are especially looking forward to seeing how these cards stack up in tournaments!
Once you get the sets, let us know what you think! What are your favorites? What are your sticking points in competitive play? Better yet, join our Discord so you can share even more love for all things Pokemon, and connect with fellow trainers. So, what are you waiting for? Go catch ‘em all!
