Pokémon TCG’s upcoming Black Bolt and White Flare set has been spotted in the wild nearly two months before its official release date, stirring up chatter among collectors and players. This isn’t the first time this year that such an early leak has happened, raising questions about how these cards are slipping out so early.
Black Bolt and White Flare mark the first-ever dual sets released in English, scheduled to hit shelves on July 18. Despite this, several cards and sealed booster packs have already been shared online, including ex cards, an Illustration Rare card, and confirmation that the reverse holo Pokeball design returns from Prismatic Evolutions, with a Masterball design expected.
A Reddit post showcased these leaked cards, sparking excitement and concern among the community. The leak precedes the Japanese release of the set, which will provide a full preview of what’s coming. Earlier this year, a similar leak happened with the Destined Rivals set, so this pattern is becoming a bit of a headache for collectors.
LEAKS FOR ENGLISH WHITE FLARE AND BLACK BOLT
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The source of these leaks remains unknown, but it’s a notable issue for consumers facing product shortages and inflated prices when trying to get new sets. The set will be massive, featuring all 156 Pokémon from the Unova region with either an Illustration Rare or Special Illustration Rare version. Collectors can expect a considerable number of Secret Rares to chase. Classified as a holiday set, there won’t be any booster boxes available for purchase. Instead, packs will be included in products like Elite Trainer Boxes, Poster Collections, and similar bundles.
The Pokémon Company has already revealed some IRs and SIRs, including all nine starter evolution lines, plus Zekrom, Reshiram, and Victini sporting the new BWR rarity, which features a monochrome design. Availability might be tight, though. Pokébeach reported that allocations will be much less than Prismatic Evolutions and that most stores will receive no product. If you plan to grab some, you might want to act fast.
