The final two sets in the Scarlet & Violet era of the Pokémon TCG were released simultaneously – the first time that the TCG had ever released two distinct sets with different cards concurrently with one another.
As a celebration of the Generation Five-era Pokémon games, each and every ‘mon that was introduced for the mainline Pokémon games Black & White gets, at the very least, an Illustration Rare, with others getting striking Special Illustration Rare treatments. As you’d expect, most of those cards boast fairly impressive values on the secondary market.
Black Bolt is the set with the higher overall median value compared to White Flare, but what cards are the most valuable from that Zekrom-themed release? Let’s find out.
The most valuable Black Bolt Pokémon TCG cards
10. Volcarona – Illustration Rare, 100/086
Market Price: $61.13
Obtaining this Fire/Bug-type in the Pokémon Generation Five Nintendo DS games was rather difficult, as you first had to acquire the severely underpowered Larvesta and then level it all the way up to level 59.
Of course, in Black Bolt, you just have to get lucky in your packs, and you might be treated to this striking card – illustrated to perfection by full-art expert AKIRA EGAWA, who is responsible for one of the most sought-after cards from the upcoming Pitch Black set.
9. Dwebble – Illustration Rare, 129/086
Market Price: $63.63
There are usually only a few categories of full-art cards that command high values: cards featuring popular Pokémon or Pokémon Trainers, cards featuring popular artists or artworks, and extremely cute cards. This IR Dwebble clearly fits into the latter category.
The artwork on this card by Shimaris Yukichi employs strong, bright colors, livening up a ‘mon that gets very little attention in the wider Pokémon fandom. That’s the joy of White Flare and Black Bolt – with each ‘mon getting a full-art, even less-popular Pokémon get their moment in the spotlight. In Dwebble’s case, that spotlight will set you back over $60.
8. Lilligant – Illustration Rare, 092/086
Market Price: $64.45
This Lilligant card has seen a significant uptick in price since its release, bypassing multiple notable cards (such as the IR Krookodile and SIR Serperior ex) in the process. Why is this card such a hot ticket?
Perhaps that’s due to it being illustrated by En Morikura, who has only illustrated 19 cards in her history with the PTCG, and only six of them have been non-Trainer cards. As such, this Lilligant represents her first-ever full-art card with a Pokémon on it.
7. Haxorus – Illustration Rare, 147/086
Market Price: $73.00
One of the most imposing-looking Dragon-type Pokémon of all time happens to hail from Generation Five, and it’s the final evolution of Axew: Haxorus. This blade-faced behemoth is the definition of “badass,” especially in such a family-friendly franchise as Pokémon.
Due to its truly striking appearance, Haxorus remains a fan favorite, and its IR from Black Bolt has a near-$75 price tag to back up that claim. Much like the most valuable cards from Ascended Heroes, it’s nice to see a Dragon-type on this list.
6. N’s Plan – Special Illustration Rare, 170/086
Market Price: $74.07
Harkening back to a memorable moment when rival N and the player-character ride the couples-only Rondez-View Ferris Wheel in Unova’s Nimbasa City, this gorgeous SIR features artwork by REND of N looking longingly towards the sky as the Ferris Wheel rotates blithely in the background. This card makes me want to hop on the London Eye again.
5. Kyurem ex – Special Illustration Rare, 165/086
Market Price: $82.89
A stunningly illustrated SIR featuring Generation Five’s Ice/Dragon-type legendary ‘mon Kyurem, this full-art represents the last card in the “under $100” tier from this list.
Honestly, just over $80 for such an amazing—and scarce—card is pretty impressive. I would predict that this card will only go up in value over time, so grab it now before the price goes bananas.
4. Seismitoad – Illustration Rare, 105/086
Market Price: $253.04
If there’s one thing people love in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, it’s artwork by Shinji Kanda, so even if a card doesn’t reach the stratospheric value highs of say, the Lost Origin Giratina V, a full-art card with unique, detailed, and expressionistic artwork from Kanda will always demand a premium on the secondary market.
Even when that card does not boast the SIR rarity or feature a Pokémon that is particularly well-loved… as is the case on both counts for this utterly brilliant Seismitoad IR, which sees a jump of more than $170 in value versus the #5 card herein. That’s the power of Kanda. Or you could say, “Wha?! Kanda Forever.” (Sorry; putrid dad wordplay.)
3. Zekrom ex – Special Illustration Rare, 166/086
Market Price: $279.29
2. Zekrom ex – Black White Rare, 172/086
Market Price: $555.64
Much like White Flare’s most valuable cards, the box-art ‘mon for Black Bolt gets the third and second spots on this list, though Zekrom’s SIR is arguably a better illustration than Reshiram’s.
Beyond that, the incredibly scarce Black White Rare version of Zekrom looks terrific in its monochromatic texture black finish, as if it was peeled straight off an expensive sports car.
1. Victini – Black White Rare, 171/086
Market Price: $575.93
Again, like White Flare, the hardest card to pull from the entire Black Bolt set was this Victini, and its list-topping price point indicates that supreme scarcity.
Victini does represent victory in the Pokémon games, and opening a pack of Black Bolt with this card in it must have certainly felt like an absolutely monolithic dub for anyone lucky enough to have Arceus smile upon them during their pack rips that day.
There you have it. The two paired sets of White Flare and Black Bolt represent a brilliant way to cap off the entire Scarlet & Violet era of the Pokémon TCG, much like Crown Zenith was an amazing celebration of the Sword & Shield era before it.
It seems likely that The Pokémon Company will continue to hit home runs with their closing sets from each era, so keep an eye out for the Mega Evolution era closer when it arrives.
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