Get Ready as Pokémon TCG Prepares to Return to Unova with an Exciting New Dual Expansion!

Hey Trainers! Pokémon just dropped some electrifying news that's got the entire TCG community buzzing like a Rotom in a power plant. Get ready to journey back to the beloved Unova region with the announcement of the brand-new split expansions: Scarlet and Violet: Black Bolt and Scarlet and Violet: White Flare!

Mark your calendars because on 18th July 2025, we're diving headfirst into a nostalgic adventure packed with over 340 new cards featuring all 156 Pokémon originally discovered in the Unova region! For the first time in the English Pokémon TCG, we're getting a true split expansion, mirroring the release strategy of the classic Pokémon Black and White video games. This means two distinct sets, each with its own unique flavour and exciting pulls, encouraging us all to truly catch 'em all!

What Can We Expect from Black Bolt and White Flare?

Prepare for a tidal wave of awesome! Both Black Bolt and White Flare are loaded with incredible content for collectors and competitive players alike. Each set boasts over 170 cards, with more than 65 Illustration Rare (IR) cards in Black Bolt and over 70 in White Flare. We're also getting over 5 Special Illustration Rare (SIR) cards in each set; every one of those iconic Unova Pokémon is getting the stunning artwork treatment it deserves! 

For those who love the thrill of powerful Pokémon, each expansion will feature six new Pokémon ex cards, eight Ultra Rare Pokémon and Supporter cards, and a Special Illustration Rare Supporter card in each set. Black Bolt will electrify your collection with the Legendary Pokémon Zekrom, alongside Serperior ex and Meloetta ex. Meanwhile, White Flare will ignite your passion with the Legendary Pokémon Reshiram, Reshiram ex, and the mythical Keldeo ex.

A Collector's Dream Come True!

If you're a collector, prepare to have your Unova Pokédex dreams fulfilled! Not only will every one of the 156 Unova Pokémon be represented with either an IR or an SIR card, but we'll also be seeing the introduction of a brand-new rarity: Black White rare (BWR) cards! These stunning cards will feature striking monochromatic illustrations, paying homage to the original Black & White series. We already know that Zekrom and Reshiram will be gracing these new rarity cards, which is sure to make them the top chase cards in this dual expansion!

Adding to the nostalgia, these expansions will also bring back the distinctive foil patterns from the original Black & White series and the designs of the Basic Energy cards. 

I'm particularly excited about the return of the iconic Professor Juniper. Her Professor's Research card will be making a return with its original artwork! Talk about a blast from the past!

Competitive Players, Get Ready to Strategise!

But it's not just about the stunning artwork and collecting, trainers! These expansions are sure to shake up the competitive scene as well. The introduction of powerful new Pokémon ex cards, including fan-favourites like Serperior ex and Reshiram ex, will undoubtedly lead to exciting new deck archetypes and strategies. Plus, the return of gameplay-relevant cards like Prism Energy and Dynamotor Eelektrik could breathe new life into older strategies and create unexpected powerhouses. Get ready to dive deep into deck-building and discover meta-defining combinations!

The Community is Buzzing (and Maybe a Little Worried)!

The announcement has sent waves of excitement through the Pokémon TCG community. Many are thrilled about the return to Unova and the sheer volume of stunning artwork we can expect. However, as with any highly anticipated release, there are also concerns. Many folks are understandably worried about product availability and the potential for stock shortages and price gouging.

This is a serious issue we've discussed before on our blog—you can check out our thoughts on it here: Pokémon Panic: Stock Shortages and Scalpers Ruining Our Fun. At Top Dog Decks, we are committed to getting these expansions into the hands of genuine fans at fair prices, assuming we can get our hands on some first!

With the unique dual-set format, the introduction of the BWR rarity, and the focus on a beloved generation, many are speculating about the long-term value of these cards. 

If you're curious about the risks and rewards of investing in the Pokémon TCG, be sure to read our previous blog post here: Pokémon TCG as an Investment: Risks and Rewards in the Card Market.