Ready to make more Pokemon TCG history? The special Pokemon TCG set coming out this summer on July 18, 2025 looks like it will do just that. For the first time, an English Pokemon TCG set will be split in two: Black Bolt and White Flare. In order to collect every single card, you’ll need to be hunting for both packs in stores.

That’s not all. Black Bolt and White Flare boast a brand new rarity for the Pokemon TCG – the BWR monochromatic colored chards that look unlike anything we’ve seen in recent sets. In addition to the BWR chase cards, fans of the Black and White era of Pokemon will love this set as it features all 156 Pokemon unique to Unova, as well as alternate artwork prints for every card.

Which of the Black Bolt/White Flare cards are going to be the most expensive? Even though they are essentially two different packs, for the purposes of this article (and because they are releasing simultaneously and thematically tied), we’re going to be looking at the rarest and most valuable cards across both sets and ranking them in approximate value top down.

#1 & 2 BWR Zekrom and Reshiram are the most expensive Black Bolt/White Flare Pokemon cards

If you needed photographic proof as for why Black Bolt and White Flare are going to be utterly unique sets, take a look at the BWR cards. Not only is it the first international Pokemon TCG set to feature two sets within the same broader expansion, instead of the gold-colored hyper rare cards that have become something of a staple in the Pokemon TCG in recent years we are getting a new and perhaps exclusive BWR rarity.

While we don’t know how rare these cards necessarily are, given there are only two of them, they could be as rare or even more rare than the hyper rare cards we get. Rarity, beauty and newness will likely drive these cards to the top of the heap in value when the set hits shelves around the globe.

Just how much will these cards be worth? The biggest, unknown variable here is their rarity. Assuming they are as rare or even rarer than SIR cards, you could be talking $300-$400 a piece for these cards.

#3 Reshiram ex (SIR) – White Flare

While Reshiram might put the “white” in “White Flare,” this card has plenty of color in it, including what looks like fire (hence “flare”) bursting all around this legendary Pokemon. The overall, artistic effect here, however, is more majestic than terrifying. Which can’t exactly be said about Zekrom.

#4 Zekrom ex (SIR) – Black Bolt

Zekrom ex SIR, on the otherhand, looks truly terrifying – like something straight out of a Godzilla film from the seventies. Indeed, Zekrom could almost be Godzilla here – complete with lightning, an island in the background, and arms spread in terrifying intent.

Being the titular character of the set, however, and given the popularity of these two legendaries, I would put the price tage for both of these cards between the $200-$300 mark.

#5 Hydreigon ex – SIR (White Flare)

While not quite as surreal or terrifying as the thematically similar Zekrom ex SIR, Hydreigon ex still hovers over this barren, rainswept landscape like a vulture searching for its prey. And that motif handily ties in with its ability – one that grants you an extra prize for taking a KO. Just like this Hydreigon, players will be looking for opportunistic attacks against weaker Pokemon to bag an extra prize card. That’s a powerful ability in the Pokemon TCG standard game, with the only other Pokemon to date to have a similar ability being Iron Hands ex.

Given competitive viability and outright stellar artwork, this card should easily bag well over $100.

#6 Kyurem ex (SIR) – Black Bolt

You can’t have a Zekrom/Reshiram set without also including Kyurem. Although not one of the big two most prominently featured in this set, Kyurem is intimately entwined with Zekrom and Reshiram, even capable of fuzing with them to unlock additional powers (in the lore).

In this artwork, however, we get Kyurem all by its lonesome – a remarkable illustration highlighting depth of field that draws us in visually while highlighting the unique majesty of this ice dragon.

While I’d put this card’s value shy of the Hydreigon ex, it could still land somewhere around the $130 mark.

#7 Keldo ex (SIR) – White Flare

Keldo ex SIR stands out as fairly unique card. In a set filled with dramatic and powerful Pokemon looming over austere landscapes, Keldo ex is here for something of a light touch, bringing with it lush autumn colors in a verdant pastoral backdrop. Aside from the inarguably gorgeous colors, Keldo is a popular Pokemon from this generation, adding to its value on the secondary card market which will likely make it one of the top chase cards for the set.

#8 N’s Plot (SIR) – Black Bolt

N’s Plot SIR is one of the more intriguing full art trainer cards we’ve had lately. It highlights a key moment in the Black and White Pokemon games where the true identity of N is revealed. This artwork beautifully captures this moment and its simplicity. Indeed, just from looking at the artwork you would think N was any other regular young man enjoying a day at the carnival!

What’s more, the card is seriously strong for N’s Pokemon deck, especially the N’s Zoroark ex deck, enabling you to move the energy you accelerate via N’s PP Up to your active Pokemon instead of just the bench.

This could be the push N’s deck needs to climb towards the top of the heap in the Pokemon TCG standard meta.

#9 Hilda (SIR) – White Flare

Hilda is the second playable trainer from the Pokemon video games that’s been available as an SIR in the TCG lately, with the first being Ethan featured prominently in Destined Rivals. I doubt this trainer will be worth a fortune after release, but should be worth between $75-$100.

#10 Meleoetta ex (SIR) – Black Bolt

Just like the SIRs have a “barren, scary, desolute, rainy, stormy” vibe to them, on the opposite end of the spectrum this Meleoetta SIR feels more akin to Keldo. While the lighting here suggets the golden hour just before sunset, the plants and vegetation look like they’ve seen better days, suggesting the tail end of summer or even autumn, just as Keldo depicts.

Meleoetta also has an unusual ability – making it the first Pokemon in some time capable of dealing damage via an attack on the very first turn. Typically that’s forbidden in the Pokemon TCG as a way to keep the game balanced. Players will undoubtedly look to exploit this unique advantage to gain the upper-hand against the competition.

#11 Genesect ex (SIR) – Black Bolt

The Pokemon TCG just hasn’t been the same since Genesect V rotated out a few years back, and along with it the uber-powerful Mew VMAX. Now, however, we’re getting a handy new Genesect ex to take its place, and this one is going to be very effective in metal decks like Archaludon ex.

The artwork, meanwhile, feels super techy, realistic, and also somewhat vintage – like it takes place in a scene of Ghost in the Shell rather than a Pokemon episode or movie.

#12 Jellicent ex (SIR) – White Flare

The underwater effects are the main draw for this particular SIR card. It should see some decent value on the secondary card market simply because of how interesting the artwork is. But playability also gives this card an edge – as it could be a powerful card in the Pokemon TCG meta, granting you additional ways to lock your opponent out of playing items.

#13 Whimsicott ex (SIR) – White Flare

While Whimsicott isn’t a typical, hight profile chase Pokemon, this card is serene enough to draw some attention, putting it on the lower echelons of the SIRs from Black Bolt/White Flare.

#14 Serperior ex SIR – (Black Bolt)

Typically what happens in modern Pokemon TCG sets is that they tend to be top heavy in regards to the card values. You have those cards at the top of the heap that demand the most value, and then even among the “rare” SIR prints, a bottom rung of cards that although still “hits,” are much less in demand. Despite the relative beauty of this Serpior ex card, from here to the bottom I see these cards being that bottom rung of SIR cards worth somewhere in the $20-$30 range.

These cards are still likely to be very rare cards and even $20 isn’t bad for a pull. But I don’t see Serprior ex being a top chase for most, inhibiting its value potential. Still, kudos to the artist because this card really does look solid.

#15 Bouffalant ex (SIR) – White Flare

This somewhat abstract rendering of Bouffalant is well composed, and its high degree of rarity again will lend some intrinsic value. However, it’s still likely to be one of the lesser valued cards in the set despite being an SIR. Its combo of defensive ability and decent attack damage could make this card a pinch hitter in competitive Pokemon decks, however, which could in turn bump this card’s value up.

#16 Excadrill ex (SIR) – Black Bolt

I don’t see people going crazy for an Excadrill. That being said, its got a pretty solid combo of attacks that could easily make him a primary attacker in its own deck. Being able to attack both the active Pokemon and one on the bench for 60 each is not laughing matter. Plus its got an attack that dishes out 200 damage and isn’t affected by resistance. Not a huge chase for many but the playability and rareness of this card is certainly enough to land it in the top 20 most valuable Black Bolt/White Flare cards.

The biggest draw for collects in this set is likely the two unique BWR cards included. Otherwise, it’s still a solid set with plenty of reasons to chase it. It only pales a little in comparison to the heavy hitter that was Destined Rivals. That set was a knockout of the set, and quite honestly it’s going to be hard for any set to compete with it. However, especially for fans of the Unova era of the Pokemon TCG, Black Bolt and White Flare will likely scratch an itch to collect like none other.

The 16 Most Expensive Black Bolt/White Flare Pokemon Cards