The countdown is on for one of the most ambitious Pokémon TCG releases in years! On July 18th, the Unova region returns in a massive way with the dual set Scarlet & Violet—Black Bolt & White Flare. This guide will break down everything you need to know about the Pokemon Black Bolt and White Flare UK release, from its unique structure to what treasures you can find inside the packs.
The "Pokémon 156": A New Collecting Challenge
Think of Black Bolt & White Flare as a spiritual successor to the wildly popular Pokémon 151 set, but this time celebrating the 156 Pokémon of the Unova region. The core concept is that every single original Unova Pokémon will be featured as a stunning Illustration Rare or Special Illustration Rare card, spread across these two sets. For anyone attempting a master set, this dual release presents a fun, and albeit, significant challenge with over 800 cards combined when you account for all variants! To complete the full collection, you will need packs from both Black Bolt and White Flare.
To complete the full collection, you will need packs from both Black Bolt and White Flare. The Pokémon are split between the two sets. For example, you’ll find the Snivy line in Black Bolt, while the Tepig line appears in White Flare.
What's Inside the Packs?
A Look at Pull Rates & Unique Holofoils
As a special set, the pack contents and foil treatments are unique. These sets see the nostalgic return of the classic “horizontal” holofoil pattern from the original Black & White era, adding another layer of appeal for long-time fans.
Each card of rare rarity or lower will have up to three different holofoil versions: the standard reverse holo, a special Poké Ball pattern reverse holo, and the highly sought-after Master Ball pattern reverse holo. Based on early data, here is some information on the pull rates for the English version:
- Illustration Rare: Roughly 1 in 6 packs
- Special Illustration Rare: Approx. 1 in 76-77 packs
- Poké Ball Reverse Holo: Approx. 1 in 3 packs
- Master Ball Reverse Holo: Approx. 1 in 15 packs
Additionally, the Victini “BWR” promo in Japan has instead be added to both sets for the English release.
Cards from the Japanese set – White Flare
Cards from the Japanese set – Black Bolt
Cant wait till July 18th? – we have many Japanese singles available from the new sets – Illustration Rares and Secret Rares. So pop down to our store in Margate, to browse through our binders, or shop online!
The English Product Line-up: How to Get the Cards
As these are special sets, The Pokémon Company International will not be selling standalone booster boxes for purchase. Instead, booster packs can only be found inside these fantastic themed products, many of which will be arriving right here at We Love Collectibles!
Here’s a breakdown of the key products for the Pokemon Black Bolt and White Flare UK release that we’ll be stocking.
Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs): The cornerstone for dedicated collectors. We will have both the Zekrom-themed Black Bolt Elite Trainer Box and the Reshiram-themed White Flare Elite Trainer Box available. Each one is packed with 9 booster packs of its respective set, an exclusive promo card, and a full set of high-quality accessories like sleeves and dice. They are the perfect way to dive deep into one version of the set.
Binder Collections: A great way to start your collection and keep it safe! Both the Black Bolt Binder Collection and White Flare Binder Collection come with a stylish 9-pocket binder themed to Zekrom or Reshiram, along with 5 booster packs of the corresponding set.
Booster Bundles: For those who just want to open packs, the Black Bolt Booster Bundle and White Flare Booster Bundle are ideal. Each contains 6 booster packs of a single set. (Note: These have a slightly later release date of August 22nd).
Special Collections
These boxes offer a mix of both sets and exclusive promos:
- The Black & White Flare Unova Poster Collection includes 2 Black Bolt packs, 2 White Flare packs, and three promo cards featuring the beloved Unova starters.
- The Black & White Flare Victini Illustration Collection is a must-have for fans of the Mythical Pokémon, containing 2 packs of each set and four beautiful cards featuring Victini.
- The Tech Sticker Collections for both Black Bolt and White Flare include 3 booster packs and a large, high-quality sticker of either Reuniclus or Gothitelle.
- The Unova Mini Tins are perfect for collecting, each containing 1 Black Bolt pack and 1 White Flare pack.
We’re incredibly excited for the Pokemon Black Bolt and White Flare UK release. As this will be a very popular set, stock may move quickly on release day (July 18th). The best way to stay informed on availability is to visit our website and join our Discord community for real-time alerts!
The Unova Legacy at WLC: New Sets & Vintage Treasures
The excitement for Unova’s return has us digging through our own binders! It’s a great reminder of the amazing cards from the original Black & White era. We’re thrilled to have a limited selection of sealed vintage Black & White booster packs currently in stock, including Plasma Freeze and Plasma Blast. These packs are from verified box breaks, tamper-sealed, and offer a genuine piece of Pokémon history.
This focus on classic sets is a growing passion for us. We are always looking to buy and trade for interesting singles and collections, from modern chase cards to these very vintage gems. Our in-store binders are a treasure trove of Pokémon history, and visiting us in Margate is the best way to see what’s new.
Looking for something else? – take a look at more of our vintage and modern booster packs
Your Unova Adventure Starts Here!
Get ready for an incredible journey back to the Unova region. We plan to have a good amount of stock for the Pokemon Black Bolt and White Flare UK release, including ETBs and Binder Collections. As this is a special set, there will be no pre-release events.
Shop Your Way:
Discover our full range of singles and sealed products online at welovecollectibles.co.uk, or visit us in-store for the ultimate treasure hunt!
Our Address: Unit 101, Westwood Business Park, Margate CT9 4JJ.
Store Hours:
- Tuesday – Saturday: 10am – 6pm
- Sunday: 11am – 4pm
- (Closed Mondays)
Connect & Engage:
For sneak peeks at new vintage arrivals and all the latest WLC news, become part of our fantastic Discord Community, and follow our Instagram and Facebook pages.
Contact Us
Unit 101, Westwood Business Park, Margate CT9 4JJ
Follow us on social media
@welovecollectibles
Mon: Closed
Tuesday – Saturday: 10am – 6:00pm
Sunday: from 11am – 4:00pm