Black Bolt

Black Bolt UK release date

Black Bolt and its twin set White Flare launched together on 18 July 2025. The Tech Sticker Collections and Victini Illustration Collection followed on 1 August, and the Booster Bundles on 22 August 2025.

Black Bolt or White Flare?

The two sets share the 156 Pokémon first discovered in Unova between them, and each of those Pokémon gets a full-art illustration card in one of the sets or their products. Black Bolt follows Zekrom (with Kyurem, Meloetta, Genesect and Serperior among its ex cards) and holds the Pokémon exclusive to Pokémon White. White Flare follows Reshiram. Neither set is a subset of the other, so a full Unova collection needs both.

How many cards are in Black Bolt?

• Black White Rare: a new top rarity with a monochrome black or white design. In Black Bolt it is given to Zekrom ex and Victini.
• Parallel foils: three parallel foil versions, two with a Poké Ball or Master Ball pattern.
• Nostalgic touches: some Basic Energy cards use the original Black & White series designs.

New to the rarity symbols? Our guide to Pokémon card rarities explains them.

Is there a Black Bolt booster box?

Each pack holds 10 cards and a Basic Energy. The Black Bolt Elite Trainer Box promo is an Illustration Rare-style Thundurus. Browse our sealed products for what is in stock.

Black Bolt chase cards

Zekrom ex is the headline: it has a Special Illustration Rare and a Black White Rare. Victini also has a Black White Rare in each of the two sets.

Which product suits you?

1. 1.

   Opening for fun

   Unova Mini Tins (one pack of each set) or the Tech Sticker Collection (3 packs).

2. 2.

   Only want Black Bolt packs

   Choose the Black Bolt ETB, the Zekrom Binder Collection or the Black Bolt Booster Bundle, which hold Black Bolt packs only.

3. 3.

   Completing the Unova Pokédex

   You need both sets. Buying the Illustration Rares as singles is far easier than pulling all of them. Sell us your duplicates to help.

4. 4.

   Keeping it sealed

   Store sealed product cool and dry. We give no investment advice or price predictions.

Black Bolt FAQs

When did Black Bolt come out in the UK?

On 18 July 2025, the same day as White Flare.

Is there a Black Bolt booster box?

No. It is a special set, and packs are only sold inside other products.

What is a Black White Rare?

A rarity introduced with Black Bolt and White Flare, with a monochrome black or white design. Black Bolt has two: Victini (171) and Zekrom ex (172).

How many cards are in Black Bolt?

172: 86 in the numbered set and 86 secret rares.

What came next?

The Mega Evolution set, which opened a new series. See upcoming dates on our UK release calendar.

Chase cards

Products and what’s inside

Elite Trainer Box (Black Bolt)

9 Black Bolt booster packs, 1 Illustration Rare-style Thundurus promo and gameplay accessories.

Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box (Black Bolt)

11 booster packs, 2 full-art foil Thundurus promos (one with the Pokémon Center logo), 65 sleeves, 45 Energy cards, player's guide, dice, 2 condition markers, a box with 4 dividers and a TCG Live code card. Pokémon Center only.

Binder Collection (Zekrom)

5 Black Bolt booster packs and a 9-pocket album.

Unova Poster Collection

2 Black Bolt and 2 White Flare packs, 3 promos (Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott) and a two-sided poster.

Unova Mini Tin

1 Black Bolt pack, 1 White Flare pack, an art card and a sticker.

Tech Sticker Collection

3 packs, 1 Illustration Rare-style promo (Reuniclus or Gothitelle) and a sticker sheet (from 1 August 2025).

Victini Illustration Collection

2 Black Bolt and 2 White Flare packs, a Victini promo, a Poké Ball parallel Victini and an oversize Victini promo (from 1 August 2025).

Booster Bundle (Black Bolt)

6 Black Bolt booster packs (from 22 August 2025).