The Pokémon Trading Card Game’s Black Bolt and White Flare expansions have created a clamour among TCG fans, offering an impressive array of cards centered around Generation V Pokémon.
Released in July 2025 as the darker half of the twin-set launch (alongside White Flare), Black Bolt specifically focuses on Pokémon, Trainers, and artwork that channel bold energy, high contrast, and a spark of nostalgia for Pokémon Black Version.
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True to the Unova region’s layered world – where shining cityscapes meet storm-lashed wilds – the sought-after cards in this set push creative boundaries with piercing foils, intense colour palettes, and new BW Rare treatments. For collectors, Black Bolt has become a storm worth chasing.
And amid this symphony of contrasts, we’ve seen dramatic monochrome designs (harking back to chrome cards from the XY era), stunning Special Illustration Rares, and illustrious Illustration Rares rise to the fore as the set’s top chases. So what prices are we looking at here with this summer set? You can see the full Black Bolt card list here, or carry on reading for the 10 most desirable cards of the set.
1. Victini (BW Rare)
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Victini BW Rare appears in both the Black Bolt and White Flare sets.
Victini BW Rare is available in both of Black Bolt and White Flare, though each bears a different number as part of the respective set. It’s a strange quirk of having these twin products released together, and for Black Bolt you’ll want to keep your eye out for card 171/086. That’s your winning lottery ticket.
Now, onto the design. The artwork is created by 5ban Graphics, whose digital stylings are notorious for pushing creative boundaries in the Pokémon TCG. Here, they take Victini’s fiery, victorious essence and crank it up with the BW Rare, engulfing the card’s colour palette with a piercing red. And set back in the middle of all this is the fabled Victini.
Couple this with the card’s pull rate and you begin to understand just what we are dealing with; it is estimated that a BW Rare will be pulled in one in every 500 booster packs. You’ll need luck on your side to be victorious chasing this one… but maybe there’s no better Pokémon to bestow that upon you.
2. Zekrom ex (BW Rare)
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Zekrom ex BW Rare is the crown jewel of the Black Bolt expansion and a card that exudes the raw, thunderous energy fans remember from Pokémon’s fifth generation.
This monochrome masterpiece is the definitive chase card for Black Bolt collectors. Unlike Victini, Zekrom ex BW Rare is exclusive to Black Bolt—a true set mascot whose scarcity adds another layer of desirability.
As with Victini, the Zekrom ex BW Rare’s artwork comes courtesy of 5ban Graphics, who dial the intensity up to maximum with this striking design. The entire card is enveloped in a palette of electric charcoal and stormy grays, interrupted only by sharp white highlights that illuminate Zekrom’s contours and the explosive arcs of lightning radiating from its pose.
Pulling this card is no small feat. Like other BW Rares, Zekrom ex’s pull rate is grueling. This exclusivity, combined with its electrifying design and immense cultural cachet, cements its position as both a collector’s trophy and a striking conversation piece.
But for those up for this legendary hunt, Zekrom ex BW Rare is the reward – a pull that channels the legacy of one of Unova’s most powerful dragons through bold design and almost-uncontainable energy that defined a generation.
3. Zekrom ex (Special Illustration Rare)
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While the SIR version doesn't reach the dizzying prices of the BW Rare, Zekrom ex holds its own as a showpiece thanks to its dramatic artwork, thematic power, and competitive deck viability. It’s a fan-favorite among collectors who prize high-concept designs – and players who appreciate the balance between collectibility and playability.
In this variant, Zekrom is rendered in a bold, painterly style, crackling with electric blues and deep nocturnal purples that emphasize its role as Unova’s symbol of ideals. The artwork shows Zekrom mid-flight, its wings outstretched as bolts of white lightning spiral across the scene. It’s a bit of a cinematic masterpiece that taps directly into the mythos of Pokémon Black.
While more common than Zekrom’s BW Rare version (estimated pull rate closer to 1 in 70–90 packs), the Special Illustration Rare still commands strong value due to its aesthetic strength and nostalgic focus.
4. Seismitoad (Illustration Rare)
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If you had predicted this card following the pole positions on this list – especially prior to any official release – then your psychic skills may be stronger than Caitlin of the Unova Elite Four. I mean Seismitoad? Really!
Though there’s always clamour for cards created by Shinji Kanda, a popular and influential Pokémon card artist who specialises in psychedelic styles. The artist’s portfolio includes the Magikarp from Paldea Evolved, Roaring Moon ex from Prismatic Evolutions, a Magneton promo from Surging Sparks, and a swathe of common cards.
The real pump in the card’s price actually came after the set release. This follows speculation that it could be banned or altered in future printings due to some suggestions there is a ‘666’ pattern in the artwork’s vines on the top right corner of the card. We’ve seen this before in the TCG with a Grimer card getting banned, so are we about to get our modern equivalent?
If the ban comes, then the value could spring even more. If the hype subdues, then maybe Seismitoad will settle below some of the upcoming cards.
5. Kyurem ex (Special Illustration Rare)
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The icy counterpart to Unova’s dueling dragons – Kyurem makes a chilling impact as a Special Illustration Rare in Black Bolt.
The print reveals Kyurem in its raw, untamed glory: poised amid a frozen cavern lit with glittering crystals and jagged icicles. Chibi’s art gives the dragon a sense of cold majesty, with its angular, ice-blue frame emerging from a swirl of snow and shattered frost, glowing yellow accents that hint at its formidable energy.
The design also integrates subtle references to Kyurem’s lore. The icy setting echoes its role as the boundary between Zekrom and Reshiram, while the cool, stark palette aligns perfectly with Black Bolt’s monochromatic, high-contrast aesthetic. There’s an underlying loneliness to the scene, a nod to the legendary Pokémon’s mythic status as the ‘empty’ dragon of the Tao trio.
With a pull rate noticeably higher than the top-tier BW Rares, but still well below standard illustration rares, Kyurem ex SIR occupies a sweet spot for collectors. It’s a must-have for those seeking to round out their Black Bolt legendary trio or chasing glacially cool artistry. Whether you’re drawn in by the powerful Blizzard Burst attack or simply the evocative, frostbitten illustration, it's a centerpiece for the lineup.
6. Genesect ex (Special Illustration Rare)
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Among the more sleek and story-driven entries in the Black Bolt expansion sits the Genesect ex Special Illustration Rare. While it doesn’t command the same premium as the Unova dragons, this card earns its place through sheer narrative weight and arresting cyberpunk aesthetics. For collectors who value atmosphere and lore, this is one of the most visually compelling pieces in the entire set.
The artwork, illustrated by kantaro, places Genesect deep within a neon-lit laboratory – most likely a subtle nod to Team Plasma’s hidden labs. Surrounded by tangle-wire cables and mechanical-looking apparatus, Genesect stands posed in profile, its signature cannon hunching the Bug-Steel type forward.
The lighting is moody and synthetic, casting purples, oranges, and iridescent hints of green across the Pokémon’s gunmetal armour, lending the whole piece a cinematic sense of foreboding.
Where many Special Illustration Rares highlight warmth or personal connection, this card leans into its synthetic subject. The foil enhances the luminous glow from various light sources in the scene, with Genesect’s glowing eyes standing out as a focal point. It’s a card that stands out for theme and execution – and it’s easy to see why its valuation welds with the acclaim.
7. N’s Plan (Special Illustration Rare)
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A rare narrative moment in Black Bolt, N’s Plan Special Illustration Rare, drawn by REND, captures N gazing skyward, bathed in the warm, fractured glow of city lights. His trademark green hair flows against the night, offset by the brown-and-white cap that’s become iconic among Unova fans.
Collectors love N’s Plan not only for the card’s mechanical utility, but for how seamlessly it integrates character and theme: a trainer known for his ideals, framed in an image that whispers of both contemplation and conviction.
And gameplay-wise, the card’s effect – moving up to two Energy from your Benched Pokémon to your Active Pokémon – ties neatly to the ‘plan’ in the name, embodying N’s thoughtful, chess‑like approach to battle. Because Supporter cards can only be played once per turn, this tactical flexibility has made it a niche but appreciated option for certain deck builds.
8. Meloetta ex (Special Illustration Rare)
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Mythical Meloetta takes centre stage in one of Black Bolt’s most graceful Special Illustration Rares. While it sits below the set’s legendary titans in terms of price, Meloetta’s appeal lies in its artistry and character-driven presence.
The illustration by LINNE captures the Harmony Pokémon mid‑pirouette, its flowing green hair and scarf-like appendages caught in a gentle breeze, surrounded by drifting autumn leaves under a golden haze. Every element of the scene feels weightless.
Thematically, it’s both a nod to Meloetta’s dual forms – Aria and Pirouette – and a showcase of Black Bolt’s softer side. The colour palette leans into warm sunlight and delicate pastels rather than the set’s usual stark contrasts, creating a composition that feels almost like a piece of concept art for a stage performance.
The Pokémon even offers a bit in battle too. Its Debut Performance Ability, letting it strike immediately if you go first, is a rare and valuable trait for setting momentum. It’s a bit of a throwback to the likes of Latios ex from XY Roaring Skies in terms of in-game effects.
9. Serperior ex (Special Illustration Rare)
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The regal Grass‑type of Unova takes a majestic bow with the Serperior ex Special Illustration Rare print.
This scene is as much about elegance as it is about power. Serperior coils gracefully through a sun-dappled garden, its smooth, emerald body framed by arching leaves and the canopies of trees. Gold‑leaf accents on its neck and tail glint subtly under the foil, giving the whole card a sense of aristocratic poise – a visual reminder of its royal serpent inspiration.
On the gameplay side, Serperior ex offers a balance of disruption and sustain. You can power it up with Ignition Energy alongside either a manual Grass Energy attachment or by shifting an Energy from a Teal Mask Ogerpon ex using Energy Switch. From there, you have options: strike with Grass Order for 150 damage while also searching your deck for up to three cards, or turn to Teal Mask Ogerpon ex’s Myriad Leaf Shower. It’s another variation on a popular deck.
10. Haxorus (Illustration Rare)
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Haxorus makes up the list with an Illustration Rare that radiates raw, draconic power as a sleeper favourite among collectors of Unova’s fiercest bruisers.
Art by akagi sets the stage deep in a cracked, battle-scarred cavern, with splintered rocks and murky shadows giving the impression of a recent, hard-fought duel. Haxorus is rendered mid-roar, its crimson axe tusks glinting dangerously beneath the cavern’s faint light while heavy claws dig into the rubble below. The overall palette is bold yet brooding.
On the battlefield, Haxorus is no slouch, either. Its Cross-Cut attack punishes evolved Pokémon for daring to stand against it, while Axe Blast can instantly knock out opposing Basics, mirroring the all-or-nothing risk of facing off against an apex predator.
What else should you look out for?
Black Bolt still has plenty of cards worth chasing beyond the top‑priced highlights – especially for collectors who prize atmospheric art and strong Unova lore.
Excadrill ex (Special Illustration Rare)
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From the caverns of Unova, we also have the Excadrill Special Illustration Rare from Black Bolt. Here, we find the Ground-type Pokémon burrowing its way through rocky tunnels, head turned as it stays attuned to its environment. Holding a price point around £23, it’s well worth the chase.
Conkeldurr (Illustration Rare)
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Across Unova’s cityscapes, we find a Conkeldurr Illustration Rare showing the fighting fiend on a building yard, a Timburr topping a building, and then the middle-stage Gurdurr carrying a girder. All very on brand.
Though with a set stacked with so much unique artwork, it’s evidently difficult to narrow it down. Sometimes you’ve just got to look at the market and playability.
Final Thoughts
What makes Black Bolt truly unforgettable – beyond the chase cards, sizzling foils, and dramatic new rarities – is the sheer scope of the project. Every card feels like part of a larger tapestry rooted in Unova’s darker edges, from its towering legendaries to its street‑wise trainers and unexpected fan favourites.
This set ultimately, Black Bolt offers both competitive potential and an immersive collector’s narrative. It delivers an atmosphere that is unmistakably its own: charged, purposeful, and steeped in the imagery of storms breaking over city skylines.
Whether you’re chasing dragons or simply hoping to reunite with forgotten favourites like Darmanitan or Carracosta, this is a strong end to the Scarlet and Violet block of the Pokémon TCG. Kudos.
So what are you looking to pull?
Shop Black Bolt/White Flare and all things Pokémon TCG, including booster boxes and elite trainer boxes right here at Gathering Games.
