As I discovered erstwhile previewing Black Bolt and White Flare, it's 1 of the astir breathtaking ways to adjacent retired the Scarlet and Violet era. The 2 sets launched unneurotic connected July 18, 2025, and they harvester to screen each azygous Pokémon from the Unova region. Each fractional of the enlargement has its ain personality, with Black Bolt centered astir Zekrom, Kyurem, and Genesect, portion White Flare features Reshiram, Keldeo, and Hydreigon. It feels similar a solemnisation of Gen V, and 1 of the biggest reasons the acceptable feels peculiar is the sheer assortment of rarities and artworks.
Every Pokémon successful some sets has astatine slightest 1 Illustration Rare oregon Special Illustration Rare, and it’s evident conscionable however overmuch attraction went into these designs. Even commons and uncommons person creation that makes you halt and instrumentality a person look earlier tossing them successful a binder. Add successful the caller Poké Ball and Master Ball reverse holos, and these packs consciousness loaded with cards that look bully capable to display, not conscionable play.
TL;DR - 10 Most Expensive S&V: 151 Cards
Among each the large cards, determination are a fistful that basal retired for some their powerfulness and their terms tags. The Black White Rare versions of Zekrom ex and Reshiram ex are already proving to beryllium pursuit cards acknowledgment to their striking monochrome foil attraction and beardown scaling attacks. Cards similar Hydreigon ex, Kyurem ex, and Genesect ex are besides precocious connected the list, being playable portion looking unthinkable successful their Special Illustration Rare versions. Victini successful its Black White Rare prints is simply a astonishing item too, proving that adjacent a tiny Pokémon tin extremity up being 1 of the astir invaluable pulls successful the set. Twice, and absolutly nary 1 knows why. Fantastic. Let's interruption down the astir costly cards successful Black Bolt and White Flare:
Kyurem ex - 165/086
Kyurem ex - 165/086
Kyurem ex is 1 of those cards that feels conscionable arsenic bully to play arsenic it does to collect. Sitting astatine 230 HP with a decent [CC] Slash for 50 damage, it’s casual to get thing going aboriginal portion you physique up to its existent payoff attack. Blizzard Burst is wherever Kyurem ex truly shines. For [WWC], you’re not lone hitting for 130 damage, but besides spreading harm crossed your opponent’s full Bench depending connected however galore Prize cards they’ve already taken. That scaling spot harm tin wholly flip a crippled successful your favor, particularly successful matchups wherever your hostile goes assertive and grabs aboriginal prizes. It plays nicely with decks that absorption connected dispersed strategies oregon acceptable up for large finishers similar Miraidon oregon Rapid Strike builds that thrive disconnected softening aggregate targets.
As a paper to collect, this Special Illustration Rare looks incredible. The artwork captures Kyurem’s icy powerfulness mid-battle, and the mode the blues and whites popular connected the paper banal makes it 1 of the cleanest pulls from Black Bolt. It’s not conscionable beauteous to look astatine though. I similar cards that reward astute timing, and Blizzard Burst feels similar that cleanable risk-reward attack. When your hostile has already taken a fewer prizes, Kyurem ex becomes a nightmare to woody with. It isn’t a brainless harm machine, you person to program astir erstwhile to driblet it and erstwhile to deed with it, but that’s portion of what makes pulling and playing it truthful satisfying.
Genesect ex - 169/086
Genesect ex - 169/086
Genesect ex is simply a paper that instantly feels almighty the infinitesimal you work its Ability. Metallic Signal lets you hunt for up to 2 Evolution Metal Pokémon each azygous turn, which is immense for consistency successful decks that trust connected mounting up Stage 1 oregon Stage 2 attackers. Being capable to drawback 2 evolutions successful 1 spell is the benignant of effect that tin snowball fast, particularly if you’re moving builds with cards similar Magnezone oregon Copperajah arsenic finishers. Its attack, Protect Charge, hits for a coagulated 150 harm astatine [MMC] portion besides giving Genesect ex immoderate built-in extortion by reducing incoming harm by 30 connected your opponent’s adjacent turn. It’s not rather tank-level bulk, but paired with its 220 HP and Metal enactment cards, it tin beryllium amazingly pugnacious to sound out.
From a collector’s angle, this Special Illustration Rare is 1 of the cleanest-looking cards successful Black Bolt. The plan truly leans into Genesect’s mechanical style, with dynamic angles and a consciousness of velocity that matches its lore arsenic a weaponized Bug Pokémon. What I bask astir astir this paper is however versatile it feels. Even if Protect Charge isn’t ever your superior triumph condition, Metallic Signal tin marque Genesect ex worthy playing conscionable for the setup powerfulness it brings to metallic decks. It feels similar 1 of those cards that some competitory players and collectors volition chase, and erstwhile you yet propulsion 1 from a pack, you cognize you’ve got thing that’s some playable and special.
Keldeo ex - 167/086
Keldeo ex - 167/086
Keldeo ex has rapidly go 1 of my favourite cards from White Flare due to the fact that of however overmuch flexibility it gives successful battle. Gale Thrust is its breadstuff and butter. For conscionable [1W], you tin plaything for 30 damage, but if Keldeo ex moved from the Bench to the Active Spot that turn, the onslaught jumps up to 120 damage. That mechanic rewards clever switching plays and makes it a large acceptable for decks that already usage pivot cards similar Escape Rope oregon Switch Cart. Its 2nd attack, Sonic Edge, is besides incredibly handy. Hitting for 120 portion ignoring effects connected your opponent’s Active Pokémon means you tin chopped done walls similar Safeguard-style abilities oregon annoying harm simplification strategies. With 210 HP, it isn’t the bulkiest ex, but its debased vigor costs and casual synergy with Water acceleration marque it a beardown mid-game attacker.
This Special Illustration Rare mentation is stunning successful person. The flowing h2o effects and Keldeo’s dynamic airs springiness the paper a batch of movement, which feels cleanable for a Pokémon that’s each astir agility and precision strikes. I similar Keldeo ex due to the fact that it rewards progressive gameplay. You can’t conscionable seat it and anticipation for the best, you get the astir retired of it by perpetually moving pieces astir the committee and readying ahead. Pulling it feels breathtaking due to the fact that you cognize it’s not conscionable binder candy. It has a relation successful decks that thrive connected tempo plays, and it adds a spot of unpredictability to games erstwhile you clip Gale Thrust perfectly.
Hydreigon ex - 169/086
Hydreigon ex - 169/086
Hydreigon ex is the benignant of paper that feels similar a payoff for players consenting to perpetrate to a Stage 2 attacker. With a hefty 330 HP, it is 1 of the bulkiest cards successful White Flare, and it tin beryllium connected the tract soaking up hits portion dishing retired superior damage. Its Ability, Greedy Eater, is wherever things get spicy. If Hydreigon ex knocks retired a Basic Pokémon with harm from its attack, you instrumentality an other Prize card. In the close matchup, that tin wholly plaything the game, letting you punish decks that thin connected large Basic ex attackers. Its attack, Dark Bite, is straightforward but effective. For [2DDD], it deals 200 harm and prevents the Defending Pokémon from retreating connected the pursuing turn. It isn’t the fastest attacker to powerfulness up, but erstwhile it’s online, it’s oppressive successful the close deck.
The Special Illustration Rare creation for Hydreigon ex is arsenic menacing arsenic it should be. It has a consciousness of standard and chaos that fits the Pokémon’s property perfectly, and it looks unthinkable successful a binder. I truly similar Hydreigon ex due to the fact that it plays a antithetic crippled compared to astir attackers close now. It rewards readying and assets absorption since you person to get it evolved and charged up earlier it dominates. The bonus Prize paper effect feels astonishing erstwhile it works, turning matchups connected their caput successful 1 attack. It’s the benignant of paper that isn’t conscionable a collector’s portion but besides a genuinely amusive high-risk, high-reward enactment for players who bask mounting up large late-game swings.
Reshiram ex - 166/086
Reshiram ex - 166/086
Reshiram ex is the benignant of paper that becomes scarier the longer the crippled goes on. Its archetypal attack, Slash, is inexpensive astatine [2] for 50 harm and gives you a mode to spot aboriginal if you request it. The existent powerfulness comes from Blaze Burst. For [1RR], it starts astatine 130 harm and past adds 50 much harm for each Prize paper your hostile has already taken. If your hostile is ahead, this onslaught tin easy scope one-hit knockout levels connected astir Pokémon successful the format. The lone drawback is discarding an Energy aft attacking, but Fire decks person plentifulness of acceleration tools, truthful it seldom feels punishing. Reshiram ex fits people into assertive Fire builds, but it besides works arsenic a comeback attacker that punishes opponents for taking aboriginal leads.
The Special Illustration Rare mentation looks incredible, showing Reshiram successful vivid flames that truly basal retired connected the card. It’s 1 of those pulls that feels peculiar conscionable holding it. What I emotion astir Reshiram ex is that it rewards diligent play. You tin seat it early, powerfulness it up, and hold until the close infinitesimal to plaything for monolithic damage. Few things consciousness amended than knocking retired a large attacker with Blaze Burst erstwhile your hostile thought they were safe. It’s some a collectible pursuit paper and a almighty portion successful Fire decks, which makes pulling it each the much satisfying.
Zekrom ex - 166/086
Zekrom ex - 166/086
Zekrom ex feels similar the cleanable counterpart to Reshiram ex, and it’s conscionable arsenic deadly successful the close deck. Its archetypal attack, Slash, is simply a elemental [CC] for 50 damage, giving you thing to bash aboriginal portion you acceptable up. The main gully is Voltage Burst. For [LLC], it starts astatine 130 harm and past scales up by 50 much harm for each Prize paper your hostile has taken. The drawback is that Zekrom ex does 30 harm to itself, but with 230 HP it tin usually grip that recoil without excessively overmuch worry. Like Reshiram ex, this paper is fantastic arsenic a comeback attacker, punishing opponents who instrumentality an aboriginal lead. It pairs nicely with Lightning enactment similar Flaaffy oregon Miraidon ex, letting you powerfulness it up rapidly and plaything for immense harm erstwhile it matters most.
The Special Illustration Rare mentation of Zekrom ex looks stunning, with bold sprays of lightning and a consciousness of earthy powerfulness that suits the legendary Pokémon perfectly. It feels similar a prize each clip you propulsion one. I similar Zekrom ex due to the fact that it’s assertive without being mindless. You person to deliberation astir erstwhile to driblet it into play and erstwhile to usage Voltage Burst for maximum impact. The self-damage adds a tiny furniture of hazard that makes it much absorbing than conscionable hitting large numbers. Collectors volition pursuit it for the art, but arsenic a player, it’s a paper that tin wholly flip a crippled if you clip it right.
Victini - 171/086
Victini - 171/086
Victini arsenic a Black White Rare feels peculiar due to the fact that it’s not conscionable a flashy paper but besides 1 with a precocious ceiling successful the close deck. At conscionable 80 HP it’s highly fragile, but V‑Force is an onslaught that tin punish opponents hard if you acceptable it up correctly. For [RR], you deed for 120 damage, which is simply a batch for specified a low-cost Basic. The drawback is that you tin lone usage the onslaught efficaciously if you person much than 4 Pokémon connected your Bench. That information means you request to beryllium mindful of your committee state, but Fire decks person plentifulness of ways to flood the tract with Basics quickly. It isn’t a paper that volition ever beryllium a main attacker, but successful decks focused connected velocity and aboriginal pressure, Victini tin enactment arsenic a sneaky person that trades up into overmuch bulkier Pokémon.
This mentation of Victini looks astonishing successful the caller Black White Rare treatment. The monochrome foil plan with bold accents gives the paper a prestige consciousness that stands retired adjacent successful a binder afloat of Illustration Rares. I truly similar Victini due to the fact that it feels similar a paper that makes you deliberation astir your seat absorption successful a mode astir Fire attackers don’t. It is fragile, sure, but the payoff of landing a 120-damage deed with specified a tiny Pokémon ever feels great. Pulling it is breathtaking not conscionable for the terms tag but due to the fact that it’s a paper you really privation to effort successful a platform conscionable to spot however often you tin marque it work.
Zekrom ex - 172/086
Zekrom ex - 172/086
This Black White Rare mentation of Zekrom ex takes everything I already similar astir the paper and gives it a prestige look that feels worthy of the legendary Pokémon. It has the aforesaid moveset arsenic the Special Illustration Rare: Slash for [CC] is simply a elemental 50‑damage enactment erstwhile you are getting acceptable up, and Voltage Burst for [LLC] scales aggressively with however galore Prize cards your hostile has taken. The self‑damage of 30 is hardly an contented fixed Zekrom ex’s 230 HP, particularly if you are timing it arsenic a late‑game plaything attacker. It is peculiarly effectual successful decks with Flaaffy oregon Miraidon ex, since they tin rapidly powerfulness up the vigor needed to commencement swinging for immense knockouts.
What makes this mentation peculiar is that it’s portion of the caller Black White Rare rarity. The monochrome foil looks incredible, and it truly suits Zekrom’s design. It feels much similar a collectible trophy paper than conscionable different pursuit pull. I similar this mentation due to the fact that it has that cleanable premix of playability and collector appeal. You tin sleeve it up and really usage it successful a competitory Lightning platform without feeling similar it is binder‑only, but it inactive looks astonishing arsenic a centerpiece paper successful immoderate collection. Pulling it feels similar hitting the jackpot, particularly due to the fact that it’s some invaluable and useful.
Reshiram ex - 173/086
Reshiram ex - 173/086
The Black White Rare mentation of Reshiram ex feels similar the definitive collector’s paper from White Flare. It shares the aforesaid moveset arsenic its Special Illustration Rare counterpart. Slash for [2] is simply a basal 50‑damage onslaught that tin get immoderate aboriginal spot harm in, but Blaze Burst is the existent threat. For [1RR], it hits for 130 harm positive 50 much for each Prize paper your hostile has already taken, letting it snowball into a late‑game powerhouse. You bash person to discard an Energy aft attacking, but Fire decks person nary shortage of acceleration options to marque that outgo manageable. Reshiram ex fits beautifully into Fire box‑style builds arsenic a person that tin cleanable up aft different attackers person softened up your opponent’s board.
This Black White Rare mentation looks stunning with the monochrome foil finish. It gives Reshiram a prestige aesthetic that truly pops erstwhile you clasp the paper successful person. I similar this paper due to the fact that it strikes that cleanable equilibrium betwixt collector entreaty and competitory potential. Pulling it feels similar a immense moment, not conscionable due to the fact that of its terms tag but due to the fact that it’s the benignant of paper you tin really slot into a platform and usage to plaything games successful your favor. It rewards patience and astute timing, and erstwhile Blaze Burst lands for a knockout astatine conscionable the close time, it feels incredible.
Victini - 172/086
Victini - 172/086
This is beauteous overmuch the aforesaid paper arsenic Victini 171/086 but is from the White Flare fractional of this set, truthful there's not overmuch to accidental present but it seems harder to propulsion judging from the existent value. Go figure.
Christian Wait is simply a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has implicit 7 years of acquisition successful the Gaming and Tech manufacture with bylines astatine Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian besides makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is besides the writer of "Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior". Find Christian connected X @ChrisReggieWait.
Originally posted:
Jul 25, 2025 4:06 pm