In a swift follow-up to the recent excitement surrounding the Prismatic Evolutions and Pokémon 151 sets, collectors of the Pokémon Trading Card Game are bracing for more upheaval with the impending release of the Black Bolt & White Flare sets. These dual sets, scheduled to hit the shelves on June 6th in Japan and July 18th globally, aim to mirror the Pokémon 151 concept but focus on those from the Unova region.
Although the complete card list for these sets has yet to be announced, initial details reveal a significant launch. One of the most enticing aspects of the Black Bolt & White Flare sets is the inclusion of a special alternate art card for every Generation 5 Pokémon. While this is an appealing feature, the influx of alternate art cards could introduce some challenges for collectors.
Illustration Rare & Special Illustration Rare Cards for All Unova Pokémon
Every Gen 5 Pokémon Receives an Alternate Full Art Card with Unique Pull Rates
Although the full set list for Black Bolt and White Flare remains under wraps, several exciting cards have been teased, including some Illustration and Special Illustration Rares from Generation 5. For those unfamiliar, Illustration Rare and Special Illustration Rare cards are full-art variations of existing cards, each presenting different rarity levels. Following the changes introduced with the Scarlet & Violet sets, it has been confirmed by PokéBeach that every one of the 156 Unova Pokémon will feature either an Illustration Rare or a Special Illustration Rare.
In previous sets prior to Generation 9, Pokémon TCG rarity was categorized primarily using circles, diamonds, and single stars. This led to significant confusion among new collectors, as those sharing identical star symbols would often have vastly different pull rates, affecting their market value. Fortunately, the introduction of new identifiers in the latest sets provides greater clarity on card rarity.
Alongside traditional identifiers—circle for common, diamond for uncommon, and black star for rare—new symbols include two black stars for Double Rare, two white stars for Ultra Rare, one gold star for Illustration Rare, two gold stars for Special Illustration Rare, and three gold stars for Hyper Rare. Each rarity type reduces in pull rate, with Hyper Rare being the most difficult to find, characterized by its distinct golden finish.
The Illustration Rares and Special Illustration Rares also qualify as Secret Rares, a classification that pertains to any card that is Ultra Rare or higher. Consequently, the card numbers may exceed the total of the set list. For example, one might pull a Secret Rare labeled 170/165.
Every Generation 5 Pokémon will feature an alternate full art, with pull rates dependent on their designation as either Illustration Rare or Special Illustration Rare. Regular Pokémon will be classified as Illustration Rares, while Special Illustration Rares will be reserved for those appearing as ex cards in the Unova set, with Serperior ex confirmed, although the other two starter final evolutions have not made the cut.
Black Bolt & White Flare: A Collector’s Dilemma
156 Illustration & Special Illustration Rares Could Prove Elusive
The prospect of collecting these sets presents its own unique challenges. Unlike previous releases where collectors typically focused on acquiring 10-15 standout cards, the Black Bolt and White Flare sets require the acquisition of over 150 Secret Rare cards simply due to the alternate full-art design for each Gen 5 Pokémon.
As if the challenge of collecting weren’t enough, these sets will also introduce a new rarity level referred to as BWR, featuring monochromatic editions of Zekrom, Reshiram, and Victini. For avid collectors who aim to complete a full set, this could be one of the most financially draining endeavors yet.
Although early speculation suggests potentially higher pull rates for these cards, helping collectors in their quest, achieving a complete set of all 156 Gen 5 alternate full-art cards will remain daunting. This difficulty is further compounded by anticipated shortages of available product at launch, as reported by PokéBeach.
The Impact of Oversaturated Sets on Collectors
Saturation from Frequent Releases Sparks Chaos in TCG Community
Within the broader TCG landscape, the number of cards in a single release must strike a balance. Both overly limited releases—such as Magic: The Gathering’s unique The One Ring card—and overly saturated sets can lead to confusion and frustration among collectors. These collectors often scramble to secure their desired cards or, in some cases, abandon the pursuit altogether.
With Pokémon TCG regularly unveiling sets every few months, completing sets exceeding 200 cards before the next release becomes exceedingly challenging. This leads collectors to purchase additional products to fill gaps in their collections, causing supply shortages and restocks that ultimately diminish print runs for subsequent sets.
While it is commendable that Pokémon TCG aims to enhance variety for collectors, and fans eagerly anticipate seeing overlooked Pokémon receive a spotlight in the Unova collection, the potential fallout from these decisions could spell trouble. For now, the community watches and waits to see how the situation unfolds. While we hope for more balanced future launches, there exists concern over the current release strategy.