Black Bolt and White Flare is releasing on July 18, 2025, and it marks several firsts for the Pokemon TCG. This special set is the firs time a set has been split into two distinct parts. In order to complete an entire master set, you’ll need to collect both packs.

It’s also the first time that an English set has received the same name as a Japanese set.

Lastly, we’re getting a distinct new rarity included in this set. Called the Black White rare, these cards look unlike anything we’ve seen in the Pokemon TCG so far.

We’ll get into all of this and more, and take a look at the Black Bolt and White Flare cards and products revealed in English so far.

Black Bolt/White Flare main set list

Shelmet (White Flare) and Karrablast (Black Bolt)

For whatever reason the Pokemon company chose these two Pokemon to be the very first cards revealed in English from Black Bolt/White Flare. While they’re a little underwhelming themselves, the interesting thing is that these two cards do show just how intertwined these two sets are. Clearly, Shelmet and Karrablast share a common strategy. While acquiring both of these will mean purchasing both packs, they are meant to work together as one.

Carracosta (Black Bolt)

Being a Stage 2 makes Carracosta feel like a tall order. Still, his damage negation ability could be useful in specific scenarios.

Volcarona (Black Bolt)

Torrid Scales is a pretty cool ability. The only thing that might prevent this particular card from making its way into fire decks is the fact that you have to evolve it to take advantage of its effect. Otherwise being able to burn an opposing active Pokemon is a very solid ability. I see a few different use cases for this. For starters, having to discard an energy from hand could work with decks like Ceruledge ex that benefit from having energy in the discard. Alternatively you could pair this with something like Gouging Fire ex that can easily accelerate energy from the discard onto it.

Eelektrik

Although easy to overlook, Eelektrik brings the powerful Dynamotor back into the game – an ability that we haven’t seen since Flaaffy from Evolving Skies rotated out. This was one of my favorite abilities of the time as it helped make the powerful Rayquaza VMAX strategy viable. What powerful combos will this new Pokemon unleash? When combined with the power of electric type Pokemon like Miraidon ex, it could unlock a ton of power.

Jellicent ex

Jellicent ex is already getting a ton of hype primarily for its Oceanic Curse ability. Blocking your opponent from playing any Item cards or Pokemon Tools from their hands by just having this Pokemon in the active is going to be very, very deadly in certain deck strategies – especially stall decks focused on locking your opponent out of making any significant moves.

If the craze caused by Budew has done anything to show us the impact of Item lock, it’s just how strong that strategy is when used by the right players. Will Jellicent ex break the game? Not likely. Bu its combo of Item/Tool lock with decent Power Press attack will likely be a viable strategy.

Archeops

Is Archeops back? While certainly not anywhere near as defining as the Archeops we got back in Silver Tempest that launched Lugia VSTAR to the top of the pile of Best Pokemon TCG decks, this lesser Archeops could still be an interesting tech for decks like Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex that like to spread damage. Archeops could be a powerful alternative to the Devolution TM because in this case you don’t need to use an attack to get it off.

I don’t think this will be a widespread strategy but definitely something interesting to test out in your damage spread decks.

Garbodor

Garbodor’s card is pretty in theme with the Pokemon given both are trash.

Zoroark

While we may already have a powerful N’s Zoroark ex deck, this Zoroark card looks like a fun one, especially with the Foul Play attack letting you copy your opponent’s attack and use it against them.

N’s Plan

N’s Plan works particularly well when combined with N’s PP Up – the item card that lets you equip energy from the discard to Pokemon on your Bench. Quickly attached energy to your Active Pokemon and take advantage of a powered-up and ready to go attacker!

Hilda

While the really exciting thing about this particular supporter is her secret rare version, I do like the effect here. Being able to search for any Evolution Pokemon plus an energy could be handy for a plethora of decks, and reminds me a bit of Colress’s Tenacity. Certainly not a staple trainer but very solid in specific deck builds.

Black Bolt and White Flare Secret Rare Cards

Emboar – Illustration Rare

Emboar is the first secret rare outside of the Black White Rare cards revealed in English for this set. In addition to some pretty sick artwork featuring an epic fighting pose and a smokey volcano in the background, Emboar could be a really solid addition for fire decks that otherwise don’t have many options for rapidly accelerating energy. Emboar is essentially for fire decks what Baxcalibur is for water decks.

Oshawott – Illustration Rare (White Flare)

This Oshawott’s artwork is surprisingly good, making me wish I was the one curled up taking a nap on that hammock instead of the undeniably cute water Pokemon.

Samurott – Illustration Rare (White Flare)

Going by just the quality of the artwork for the Illustration Rare cards from this set, Black Bolt and White Flare is exceptional. Samurott staring out over an icy mountain range surrounded by Wingulls looking like a triumphant, Narwhal king isn’t all this card has going for it: Samurott feels like it could actually be fairly deadly when built into the right deck.

Kyurem ex – Special Illustration Rare (Black Bolt)

Kyurem plays an integral role alongside Zekrom and Reshiram, with the three of them being considered the Tao trio by many. While Kyurem doesn’t get a BWR print in this set alongside the main duo, it does get a beautiful SIR treatment in the above card.

Meloetta ex – Special Illustration Rare (Black Bolt)

Meleoetta ex is the first SIR card revealed in English from Black Bolt and White Flare. Along with dazzling artwork that brings a harvest-time vibe, Meleoetta ex has an intriguing ability that enables her to defy Pokemon TCG rules that prevent you from a turn one attack.

Black White Rare cards

The biggest chase cards from Black Bolt/White Flare appear to be the Black White rare cards from the set. These monochromatic cards are truly unlike anything we’ve seen in the Pokemon TCG as of late, and could mean having additional rarities from future sets that highlight key cards like these from the set.

Reshiram ex – Black White Rare

What I really like about the Reshiram ex BWR is that in addition to the white monocromatic look keeping in line with the White Flare theme, it also seems ot have a rainbow foil pattern. If this is true for the card itself and not just some odd lens effect, this gives the Reshiram ex BWR a very inconic look that will make plenty of collectors chase it hard.

Reshiram ex also has a pretty enticing attack reminiscent of Charizard ex, only with the added advantage of the Pokemon being a basic Pokemon and easier to use.

Zekrom ex Black White Rare

Zekrom ex also offers a gorgeous card although the polar opposite as is supposed to be the case for these yin and yang Pokemon. Additionally, Zekrom ex has essentially the same attack as Reshiram ex, although its lightning typing could make it an easier addition to Joltik Box decks.

Both of these cards are worthy chase and will most likely be the most expensive Black Bolt and White Flare cards of them all when the set launches internationally mid-summer.

Black Bolt and White Flare products

Black Bolt and White Flare Elite Trainer Boxes

As Black Bolt and White Flare are special sets, the best way to get your hands on these products is to pick up the Elite Trainer Box. These offer the best combination of value and packs, complete with nine Black Bolt or White Flare booster packs, card sleeves, dice, energy, the decorative storage box and more!

Booster Bundles

If you’re looking for something on the cheaper end and don’t necessarily need all the extras that come with the ETB, booster bundles are a great way to go, with each one containing six packs.

Binder collections, poster collections, special boxes, tins and bundles with tech stickers will also be available. Head over to TCGPlayer to preorder these products as well.

Also keep in mind that not all of these products will be releasing on July 18, 2025. Like with past special sets, Black Bolt/White Flare products will be receiving a staggered release between July 18 and August 22nd. The ETBs, Binder Collections, Poster collections, and tins will all be available on July 18, while the Tech Sticker Collections, Unova Victini Illustration Collection and Booster Bundles will all relesae on August 22, 2025.

As of now, we have a much more solid collection of Black Bolt and White Flare English spoilers to satiate our hunger for more Pokemon cards. Hopefully even more card reveals will happen soon, especially for secret rares. Don’t worry, though. As soon as these reveals are made I’ll be adding this page so don’t forget to bookmark it for later!

Black Bolt and White Flare English Spoilers and Card List