The 20 Most Expensive Black Bolt and White Flare English Pokemon Cards
Ready to make more Pokemon TCG history? This summer’s internationally released, special Pokemon TCG set, Black Bolt and White Flare, has done just that. For the first time, an English Pokemon TCG set has been split in two: Black Bolt and White Flare. In order to collect every single card, you’ll need to be hunting for both packs.
Black Bolt Booster Pack
White Flare Booster Pack
That’s not all. Black Bolt and White Flare also boast a brand new rarity – the BWR monochromatic colored cards 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 English Pokemon cards are going to be the most expensive? Even though they are technically two different packs, for the purposes of this article we’re going to be looking at the rarest and most valuable cards across both sets and ranking them based on actual sales data.
#1 Victini BWR (White Flare) is the most expensive Black Bolt/White Flare card
Market price: $499
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 Black White Rare (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 exclusive BWR rarity.
Victini BWR from White Flare is the most expensive card in all of Black Bolt and White Flare, and it’s not hard to see why. The red monochromatic look is visually stunning, and this card is insanely rare (approximately only a 2/1000 chance of being pulled) , helping add to its impressive value. Although all of the BWR cards are valuable, it’s quite possible that the White Flare Victini BWR will remain #1 from the set, edging out its Black Bolt counterpart likely due to White Flare being slightly more popular between the two parts of this special set.
#2 Reshiram ex – Black White Rare
Market price: $480.32
Heading into the release of Black Bolt and White Flare, all eyes were on the BWR cards in anticipation of which would be the top chase card from the set. So far, White Flare seems to be the more in demand of the two packs, with two cards edging out the rest for the top spot. However, the two Black Bolt BWR cards are close on their heels, and could conceivable take over if the tides change.
#3 Zekrom ex – Black White Rare
Market price: $473.35
Currently, Zekrom ex trails Reshiram ex by a few dollars on the secondary card market. Things change rapidly, however, and it could gain on the other as post release Black Bolt/White Flare prices settle. That being said, exceeding $400 from a card from a brand new Pokemon TCG set is still remarkable. And while we’ve gotten used to insane prices from Pokemon cards, few recent cards can match this epic chase card’s value.
#4 Victini – Black White Rare (Black Bolt)
Market price: $452
The top four cards really are the ones to watch for value, as there’s a significant drop off into #5. Victini Black White Rare from Black Bolt trails the rest of the BWRs in this set currently, but it’s not by a wide margin. We’ll see how the prices settle, but regardless it’s clear that everyone loves the brand new rarity from this one of a kind Pokemon TCG set. Hopefully we’ll get more cards like this in future sets!
#5 Zekrom ex – Special Illustration Rare (Black Bolt)
Market price: $317.80
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 wide in terrifying manor.
Despite Reshiram ex leading in value over Zekrom ex in their BWRs prints, Zekrom ex SIR leads in value at a much more significant pace compared to Reshiram ex SIR.
#6 Reshiram ex Special Illustration Rare – (White Flare)
Market price: $247.86
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. At its current market price, it’s easily one of the top chase cards not only in White Flare but in all of Scarlet and Violet.
#7 Hydreigon ex – Special Illustration Rare (White Flare)
Market price: $152.46
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.
#8 N’s Plot – Special Illustration Rare (Black Bolt)
Market price: $125.88
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!
In terms of value, N’s Plot SIR is among the more valuable Full Art Trainer cards we’ve seen come out of a Pokemon TCG set lately.
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 Kyurem ex – Special Illustration Rare (Black Bolt)
Market price: $111.67
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.
#10 Genesect ex – Special Illustration Rare (Black Bolt)
Market price: $79.14
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.
#11 Hilda – Special Illustration Rare (White Flare)
Market price: $77.98
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. While she’s not likely to retain tremendous value over time, she’s still a modestly strong pull.
#12 Jellicent ex – Special Illustration Rare (White Flare)
Market price: $72.33
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 will undoubtedly be a powerful card in the Pokemon TCG meta, granting you additional ways to lock your opponent out of playing items. In particular, the Jellicent/Gardevoir ex deck feels very strong, giving this card additional street creds – at least for players.
#13 Seismitoad – Illustration Rare (Black Bolt)
Market price: $54
Seismitoad is opening up well in price and is currently the most expensive IR in the set. Interestinly enough, it’s worth more in value than some of the SIRs despite technically being less rare. However, it’s not the first time we’ve seen IRs outperform expectations. Will this trend last? I could see it going either way. On the one hand IRs are easy to come by in Black Bolt/White Flare. On the other hand, finding a particular IR is still relatively challenging – something which could play into Seismitoad’s favor in regards to sustained market value.
#14 Keldo ex – Special Illustration Rare (White Flare)
Market price: $63
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 lighter 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.
#15 Meleoetta ex – Special Illusration Rare (Black Bolt)
Market price: $55.99
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.
#16 Serperior ex –Special Illustration Rare (Black Bolt)
Market price: $54.80
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, it’s value definitely shows it’s among the lesser in-demand SIR prints from the set.
#17 Excadrill ex – Special Illustration Rare (Black Bolt)
Listing price: $51.66
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.
#18 Haxorus – Illustration Rare (Black Bolt)
Market price: $50.78
Another Illustration Rare fairing well in value right now is this very cool looking Haxorus. This stage 2 Pokemon also benefits from being the evolved from of Axew which is a Pokemon highly featured in the anime, making it pretty popular. Otherwise, this Haxorus looks like a photo-realistic painting, with a powerful use of light and shadow to draw us in visually.
#19 Chandelure – Illustration Rare (White Flare)
Market price: $49.03
With artwork as impressive as this, it’s no wonder Chandelure ends up in the top 20 most expensive Black Bolt and White Flare chase cards. Chandelure seems to be drifting above a table set for a party here, like a typical Chandelier. It’s an intriguing visual pun that has caught the attention of collectors.
#20 Oshawott – Illustration Rare (White Flare)
Market price: $46.63
Finally, there’s Oshawott. I’m not surprised at all to see Oshawott performing well relative to its rarity. It’s a very cute Pokemon in a totally serene setting, and was one of my favorites even when it was revealed as a spoiler for this set. With an initially impressive market value, Oshawott IR is certainly one to watch as it could retain value quite well.
The biggest draw for collects in this set is likely the four unique BWR cards included. Otherwise, it’s still a solid set with plenty of reasons to chase it. Tons of alternate art cards, and some insane value for a current set, Black Bolt and White Flare has a little something for everyone, and should be an instant classic especially for fans of the Unova era of Pokemon.
