The Pokémon TCG is currently in the midst of a huge bubble which doesn’t look likely to go away anytime soon, especially following the reveal of a major switch to the formula for an upcoming set.
While all the Pokémon hype is currently focused towards Destined Rivals, releasing May 30th, the next big set is splitting things down the middle with the release of the first-ever dual set in English.
Dual sets are a regular occurrence in Japan, most recently with Wild Force and Cyber Judge in April 2024, but in the west, those sets have been combined into one—until now.
Black Bolt and White Flare, releasing July 18, is the next special set of the Pokémon TCG, meaning there won’t be booster boxes and single packs available to purchase, just like Prismatic Evolutions and 151 were previously.
However, the fact that the set is split into two raises major questions.
A big one is how the set will be made up and what Pokémon will be exclusive to each, a question we’ll likely get the answer to in June when the sets release in Japan, and the other relates to how the art rares and special art rares will be distributed.
Every Pokémon from the Unova region will receive an AR or SAR in the set, resulting in a setlist that will include over 150 secret rares.
Japan has made things a little easier in that regard with the reveal of fat packs available to purchase—bumper packs featuring 35 cards, including a guaranteed AR.
Whether the Western release includes similar guarantees for hit rates remains to be seen, but I can only hope, especially given how brutal the hit rates were with Prismatic Evolutions.
More details on the set, the cards included, and other details will be revealed in the coming months.
What we do know is that the Thundurus and Tornadus ARs will be Elite Trainer Box promos, confirming that there will still be removals from the base Japanese set.
So far, a handful of the stunning ARs that are coming in Black Bolt and White Flare have been revealed, including the starter trios and their evolutions, alongside a new ‘BWR’ rarity on monochrome cards for Zekrom, Reshiram, and Victini.
Do you like the idea of dual sets in English? Will you be avoiding this set or aiming to complete it all? Let us know in the Insider Gaming Forum.
