Pokemon TCG Returns to Unova with Black Bolt and White Flare—Full Set Details Revealed

The Pokemon has officially unveiled two exciting new expansions for the Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet & Violet—Black Bolt and Scarlet & Violet—White Flare. Scheduled to release on July, 2025, these dual sets mark a major milestone for the TCG, celebrating the beloved Unova region and all 156 Pokémon originally discovered in Pokémon Black and Pokémon White.

These releases bring with them several firsts for the English-language TCG, including the simultaneous launch of split sets that mirror their Japanese counterparts in both structure and naming.

A Tribute to Unova

Scarlet & Violet—Black Bolt and White Flare are themed entirely around Unova, with each set featuring a dedicated collection of Unova Pokémon and a shared focus on legendary Pokémon — Zekrom takes the spotlight in Black Bolt, while Reshiram leads the charge in White Flare.

Both sets aim to offer an immersive nostalgia trip for fans of Generation V, with key design elements inspired by the original Black & White TCG era.

Set Composition and Highlights

Each expansion will feature

• Over 170 cards per set
  
  
• More than 65 Illustration Rare cards
  
  
• At least 5 Special Illustration Rare cards
  
  
• Six Pokémon ex
  
  
• Black Bolt: Includes Zekrom ex and Meloetta ex
  
  
• White Flare: Includes Reshiram ex and Keldeo ex
  
  
• Eight ultra-rare Pokémon and Supporter cards
  
  
• One Illustration Rare or Special Illustration Rare card for every Unova Pokémon
  
  
• One Special Illustration Rare Supporter card
  
  
• Three parallel foil treatments per set, featuring unique Rainbow Poké Ball and Master Ball designs
  
  
• New Black White rare cards with black or white monochrome artwork
  
  

With every Unova Pokémon receiving both regular and foil variants, the total card pool across both sets is expected to exceed 800 cards — making this one of the largest Pokémon TCG expansions to date.

Introducing: Black White Rare Cards

A standout addition in these expansions is the debut of the Black White rare rarity. These cards will feature a sleek, monochromatic design in either all-black or all-white, serving as a nostalgic nod to the original Black & White TCG series. This new rarity adds both visual flair and collectibility, sitting alongside existing rarities like Illustration Rare and Special Illustration Rare.

No Booster Boxes – Specialized Product Lineup

In keeping with recent trends for special sets, Scarlet & Violet – Black Bolt and White Flare will not have standard booster boxes or individually sold booster packs. Instead, all booster packs will be available through specially curated product formats. The release schedule is split into three major waves:

July 18, 2025—Initial Wave

• Elite Trainer Boxes
  Includes 9 booster packs, a promo card featuring Thundurus (Black Bolt) or Tornadus (White Flare), and standard accessories.
  
  
• Binder Collections
  Includes 5 booster packs and a 9-pocket binder featuring Zekrom or Reshiram artwork.
  
  
• Unova Poster Collection
  Includes 2 booster packs from each set, 3 promo cards (Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott), and a two-sided Unova-themed poster.
  
  
• Mini Tins
  Includes 1 booster pack from each set, an art card, and a themed sticker card.
  
  

August 1, 2025 – Mid-Wave Releases

• Tech Sticker Collection
  Includes 3 booster packs and a promo card (Reuniclus or Gothitelle), plus a tech-themed sticker sheet.
  
  
• Victini Illustration Collection
  Includes 2 booster packs from each set, a foil Illustration Rare promo of Victini, a premium parallel foil version, and an oversized card.
  
  

August 22, 2025 – Final Wave

• Booster Bundles
  Includes 6 booster packs (Black Bolt or White Flare, depending on version).
  
  

A Milestone for English TCG Releases

These sets represent several groundbreaking achievements for the Pokémon Trading Card Game:

• First time English sets are released as split expansions like Japan
  
  
• First time Japanese and English sets share identical names
  
  
• First appearance of the Black White rare card type
  
  
• Introduction of every Unova Pokémon in Illustration Rare or Special Illustration Rare form
  
  

The sheer volume of cards and the curated approach to product packaging suggest a deliberate move to attract both competitive players and collectors. With more than 800 cards across two sets, this release will be both a challenge and a joy for completionists.

Preorders and Availability

Preorders are expected to open mid-May 2025, based on typical TCG product timelines. Fans are encouraged to act quickly, as special set items often sell out rapidly upon announcement.

Final Thoughts

Scarlet & Violet—Black Bolt and White Flare are shaping up to be two of the most ambitious and expansive Pokémon TCG sets ever released. By revisiting the Unova region with a modern twist, the Pokémon is offering longtime fans a nostalgic celebration while introducing new players to one of the most memorable eras of the franchise.

Whether you’re in it for the Zekrom and Reshiram EX cards, hunting for the elusive Black White rare, or collecting every Unova Illustration Rare, this dual set release promises a rich, rewarding experience.

Stay tuned for more previews and product breakdowns as the July release date approaches.

All items from this set will be available at our Saga Concepts store around the official release date.