Pokémon Black Bolt & White Flare: Everything you need to know! (Release dates, products, news)

The Pokémon TCG scene is buzzing, and for good reason! The Pokémon Black Bolt & White Flare expansions have been announced and they're shaking things up in a big way. These expansions are packed with surprises, like the first double release in the English Pokémon TCG, the introduction of a new rarity of cards and tons of full art cards! In this article we've listed everything you need to know about the release dates of those new sets, the product line-up and the things that are new! Let's dive in.

1. Split expansion

2. Product line-up

3. Release dates

4. Black White Rare cards

5. Poké Ball & Master ball reverse holos

1. The Split Expansion

For the first time ever, the English Pokémon TCG will feature a split expansion design as previously already seen in the Japanese Pokémon TCG.

Two expansions, Black Bolt & White Flare, will make up for a combined set that features all 156 Pokémon originally discovered in the Unova region.

Black Bolt is based on the legendary Pokémon Zekrom, whereas White Flare is based on Reshiram. These two legendary Pokémon are also featured on the 2 booster pack arts!

Both expansions feature over 170 cards and include different variations of the following noteworthy cards:

• 6 Pokémon ex

• 8 ultra rare Pokémon and Supporter cards

• 1 illustration rare or special illustration rare card for each Unova Pokémon

• 1 special illustration rare Supporter card

2. Pokémon Black Bolt & White Flare Product Line-up

There have been 11 different products announced. Some of them are exclusive to one of the split sets, like the Elite Trainer Box, the Binder Collection & the Booster Bundle. In these products, you will only find booster packs of 1 particular expansion.

Others are combined products that include booster packs from both sets, like the Victini Illustration Collection, the Poster Collection & the Mini Tins.

The Elite Trainer Box includes:

• 9 booster packs

• 1 illustration rare style promo card featuring Thundurus (Black Bolt) or Tornadus (White Flare)

• Various gameplay accessories, as per usual

The Binder Collection includes:

• 5 booster packs

• 1 nine-pocket album featuring Zekrom (Black Bolt) or Reshiram (White Flare)

The Unova Poster Collection includes:

• 2 Black Bolt booster packs

• 2 White Flare booster packs

• 3 promo cards featuring Snivy, Tepig and Oshawott

• 1 full-size, two-sided poster

The Unova Mini Tin includes:

• 1 Black Bolt booster pack

• 1 White Flare booster pack

• 1 art card and 1 sticker card matching the tin’s art

The Tech Sticker Collection includes:

• 3 booster packs

• 1 illustration rare style promo card featuring Reuniclus (Black Bolt) or Gothitelle (White Flare)

• 1 sticker sheet

(As of 09/05, we don't know yet what the tech sticker collections will look like)

The Unova Victini Illustration Collection includes:

• 2 Black Bolt booster packs

• 2 White Flare booster packs

• 1 illustration rare style promo card featuring Victini

• 1 premium parallel Poké Ball card featuring Victini

• 1 oversize illustration rare style foil promo card featuring Victini

The Booster Bundle includes:

• 6 booster packs

3. Pokémon Black Bolt & White Flare Release Dates

July 18th 2025:

• Elite Trainer Box

• Binder Collection

• Unova Poster Collection

• Unova Mini Tin

August 1st 2025:

• Tech Sticker Collection

• Unova Victini Illustration Collection

August 22nd 2025:

• Booster Bundle

4. Black White Rare cards

For these special expansions, Pokémon is introducing a new card rarity named Black White Rare cards (BWR). These are highly styled cards which will feature card illustrations in a monochromatic black or white design.

5. Poké Ball & Master Ball reverse holos

Following the introduction in Prismatic Evolutions, there will again be the Poké Ball and Master Ball reverse holo patterns. Each expansion will include three different parallel foil sets, two of which will feature either a rainbow Poké Ball or Master Ball pattern shimmering across the card.

Next to this, there will also be cards featuring a nostalgic foil pattern that was last seen in the Pokémon TCG Black & White Series. Basic Energy cards will also feature the original Black & White Series design.