The final release for the Scarlet and Violet era of the Pokémon Trading Card Game is actually two sets, and marks the first time that a dual set has been released outside of Japan. Black Bolt and White Flare are the two sets in question, and each has their own set of cards, and each has unique cards that collectors are very keen to get their hands on. Which cards are the most valuable in the Black Bolt set? Let’s find out!
10. Excadrill ex – Special Illustration Rare, 168/086
The Black and White era of the Pokémon video games is fully represented across the Black Bolt and White Flare sets. With them featuring a slightly less familiar collection of Pokémon to many players, unique creatures like this Excadrill ex can be highly sought after. Particularly when they’re in such beautiful, Special Illustration Rare form!
9. Serperior ex – Special Illustration Rare, 164/086
This Serperior ex card is another Special Illustration Rare, and its anime-style artwork is truly spectacular. There’s no denying that this is a gorgeous card, and it’s clear why it has made it to the list of the most valuable Black Bolt cards!
8. Meloetta ex – Special Illustration Rare, 167/086
The musical Meloetta ex is another card with art that almost looks as if it emerged from a Studio Ghibli movie. Have you noticed something about all of the cards on this list? Each of them has a strange card number; though there are 86 cards in the Black Bolt set, each of the numbers on these cards, found in the bottom left, is higher than 86. That’s because they’re Secret Rare cards; alternate art and special foil treated cards which are variants of other cards in the Black Bolt set. Though cheaper versions of each of these cards, with more basic artwork, are available, it’s these special variants that are the most valuable in the set!
7. Seismitoad – Illustration Rare, 105/086
This psychedelic Seismitoad card is a genuinely stunning work of art. Intricately designed and beautifully vibrant, it may not feature the most popular of Pokémon, but it’s obvious why this card is a popular choice for Black Bolt collectors!
6. Genesect ex – Special Illustration Rare, 169/086
From beautiful psychedelia to an almost mech-style illustration that really sells its Pokémon as a force to be reckoned with! Genesect ex looks incredible on this Special Illustration Rare card. It’s a Metal Energy type Pokémon, which gives its player the ability to stack their Bench with even more Metal type Pokémon, on every turn.
5. Kyurem ex – Special Illustration Rare, 165/086
This Kyurem ex card features the Legendary Pokémon in its basic form. It has two alternate forms. The first of these is Black Kyurem, the Legendary “mascot” of the video game Pokémon Black 2. White Kyurem was, as I’m sure you can guess, the mascot for Pokémon White 2.
4. N’s Plan – Special Illustration Rare, 170/086
With Black Bolt and White Flare being sets focusing on the Pokémon Black and White games, it makes sense that the Trainers in the dual set release also hail from those games. So here’s N, a Pokémon Trainer whose debut was in Pokémon Black and White, and his Energy-moving Supporter card, in its Special Illustration Rare form.
3. Victini – Black White Rare, 171/086
Black Bolt and White Flare introduce a unique card rarity to the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Only two cards in each set are found in the “BWR” (or Black White Rare) level of rarity, with this overwhelmingly red, and highly sought after Victini being one of them!
2. Zekrom ex – Special Illustration Rare, 166/086
The first o two Zekrom ex cards on this list, here we have the Special Illustration Rare variant. Being the “mascot” of the Black Bolt set, it’s no surprise to see this card so near the top spot, and it’s worth bearing in mind that, in the video games, Zekrom can fuse with Kyurem to make Black Kyurem!
1. Zekrom ex – Black White Rare, 172/086
Finally, we have the BWR variant of Zekrom ex, by far the most highly sought after (and therefore most valuable) card from the Black Bolt set. This card absolutely shot up in value as soon as the set was released, and its gorgeous, black textured finish gives it a unique look and feel.
Check out our full list of the cards in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets, or the list of the most valuable cards by our favorite Pokémon card artist, Yuka Morii.
