Black Bolt Master Set: 252 Cards, Checklist & Prices
By Cardrake Research Team · Updated
Released 2025
Get Collector to track your progress.
Scarlet & Violet Black Bolt chase cards & key targets
Victini leads Black Bolt at $627.44, with Zekrom ex ($611.19) and Zekrom ex ($269.93) behind it. The top three alone are 45% of the estimated master-set cost — plan these purchases first and the rest of the set follows on a normal budget.
| Rank | Card | Number | Rarity | Variant | Market Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |  Victini | 171/86 | Black White Rare | Holofoil | $627.44 |
| #2 |  Zekrom ex | 172/86 | Black White Rare | Holofoil | $611.19 |
| #3 |  Zekrom ex | 166/86 | Special Illustration Rare | Holofoil | $269.93 |
| #4 |  Seismitoad | 105/86 | Illustration Rare | Holofoil | $217.08 |
| #5 |  Kyurem ex | 165/86 | Special Illustration Rare | Holofoil | $73.95 |
| #6 |  Ns Plan | 170/86 | Special Illustration Rare | Holofoil | $66.34 |
| #7 |  Haxorus | 147/86 | Illustration Rare | Holofoil | $63.14 |
| #8 |  Volcarona | 100/86 | Illustration Rare | Holofoil | $56.39 |
| #9 |  Dwebble | 129/86 | Illustration Rare | Holofoil | $52.15 |
| #10 |  Lilligant | 92/86 | Illustration Rare | Holofoil | $49.68 |
Acquisition Strategy
- • Monitor price trends - chase cards often fluctuate based on tournament results and influencer coverage
- • Consider condition flexibility - a LP/MP copy can save 30-50% on vintage cards
- • Check multiple marketplaces - prices vary significantly between TCGPlayer, eBay, and local stores
- • Buy during market dips - major releases and reprints often cause temporary price drops
What's in the Scarlet & Violet Black Bolt master set
The Scarlet & Violet Black Bolt master set is 252 cards: 86 base + 80 reverse holos + 86 secret rares. That covers every printed variant — reverse holofoils, secret rares, and the special-art chase cards numbered past 86/86.
Open the Scarlet & Violet Black Bolt binder layout planner →
About this set
Black Bolt introduces the BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets. (Black & White Rare) rarity tier, with Zekrom ex as the flagship. These monochrome foil cards reference the original Black & White games and sit at the rarest end of modern SV-era collecting. Every Unova Pokemon gets Illustration Rare treatment, the 50% hit rate keeps pack opening viable, and the Master Ball pattern reverses give the set an extra premium layer for PE collectors. Paired with White Flare for complete Generation 5 coverage.
Where Black Bolt fits in the era
Released as the final Scarlet & Violet paired expansion, marking Generation 5's 15th anniversary. Black Bolt and White Flare are the first English TCG paired expansion system with genuinely separate card pools that together cover the full Unova Pokedex. The BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets. rarity tier is new to English releases, using monochrome foil treatment pulled directly from the original Black & White game visual identity.
Collecting challenges
The base set plus secret rares, with BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets. cards pulling at genuinely long odds. Master Ball pattern reverses add a third variant layer. The paired-set structure means you need White Flare for complete Unova coverage, and the BWR alone can absorb a large portion of any collecting budget. The base set is manageable. The question is always how far you take it.
Rarity breakdown
| Rarity | Cards | Share of printed set |
|---|---|---|
| Illustration Rare | 69 | 80% |
| Common | 39 | 45% |
| Uncommon | 31 | 36% |
| Rare | 10 | 12% |
| Ultra Rare | 8 | 9% |
| Special Illustration Rare | 7 | 8% |
| Double Rare | 6 | 7% |
| Black White Rare | 2 | 2% |
Price distribution
How card values spread across the set. Most cards are bulk under a dollar; a few chase cards hold most of the value.
Artist spotlight
The illustrators behind the most cards in this set, with their standout artwork. Tap a card for details.
N-DESIGN Inc.
5 cards in this set
5ban Graphics
5 cards in this set
hncl
4 cards in this set
LINNE
4 cards in this set
Shinya Mizuno
4 cards in this set
okayamatakatoshi
4 cards in this set
Scarlet & Violet Black Bolt master set buying guide
Where to buy Scarlet & Violet Black Bolt, which sealed product is worth the money, and when to pull the trigger.
Packs or singles?
Pack opening offers good value for this set
Sealed product comparison
Booster Box
36 packs · MSRP $144 · Market $144-165 · $4.00-4.58/pack
Best per-pack rate and the most efficient route to completing the base set. Two boxes cover most commons and a solid chunk of IR · Illustration RareA full-art card showing a Pokemon in an illustrated scene, numbered after the main set. statistically. Buy at or near MSRP · Suggested retail priceThe official US retail price set by The Pokemon Company. Stores and resellers often charge more.. Avoid launch premiums above $165.
Shop Black Bolt Booster Box on TCGPlayer →
Elite Trainer Box
9 packs · MSRP $50 · Market $160.71 · $17.86/pack
Higher per-pack cost than a box, but the accessories (sleeves, dice, damage counters, storage box) add real value. Good for casual opening or gifts. Not the fastest path to master set completion.
Shop Black Bolt Elite Trainer Box on TCGPlayer →Build & Battle Box
4 packs · MSRP $25 · Market $25-30 · $6.25-7.50/pack
Worst per-pack value in the lineup. Only worth it for prerelease-format deck building. Skip entirely if the goal is master set completion.
Shop Black Bolt Build & Battle Box on TCGPlayer →All Scarlet & Violet Black Bolt sealed products
| Product | Market | |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bolt Booster Bundle Case | $2514.85 | Shop → |
| Black Bolt Elite Trainer Box Case | $1873.08 | Shop → |
| Black Bolt Booster Bundle Display | $1867.69 | Shop → |
| Unova Mini Tin Display Case | $1043.30 | Shop → |
| Unova Victini Illustration Collection Case | $507.19 | Shop → |
| Unova Poster Collection Case | $283.96 | Shop → |
| Black Bolt Pokemon Center Elite Trainer Box (Exclusive) | $268.42 | Shop → |
| Unova Mini Tin Display | $250.22 | Shop → |
| Unova Heavy Hitters Premium Collection | $170.03 | Shop → |
| Black Bolt Binder & Unova Poster Collection (Sam's Club) | $126.91 | Shop → |
| Black Bolt Booster Bundle | $96.14 | Shop → |
| Black Bolt Binder Collection | $81.02 | Shop → |
| Unova Victini Illustration Collection | $71.55 | Shop → |
| Black Bolt Tech Sticker Collection | $50.60 | Shop → |
| Unova Poster Collection | $46.09 | Shop → |
| Unova Mini Tin [Chandelure & Zorua] | $31.90 | Shop → |
| Unova Mini Tin [Krookodile & Excadrill] | $29.09 | Shop → |
| Unova Mini Tin [Garbodor & Amoonguss] | $26.76 | Shop → |
| Unova Mini Tin [Alomomola & Axew] | $25.96 | Shop → |
| Unova Mini Tin [Mienshao & Klinklang] | $25.73 | Shop → |
| Unova Mini Tin [Lilligant & Whimsicot] | $25.67 | Shop → |
| Unova Mini Tin [Volcarona & Emolga] | $25.57 | Shop → |
| Unova Mini Tin [Elektross & Galvantula] | $25.09 | Shop → |
| Black Bolt Booster Pack | $14.72 | Shop → |
| Black Bolt Binder Collection Case | — | Shop → |
| Black Bolt Pokemon Center Elite Trainer Box (Exclusive) Case | — | Shop → |
Where to buy
TCGPlayer
bothPricing: Market · Reliability: high
Best for: Singles across all rarities with real-time price transparency
Use TCGPlayer Direct for reliable shipping. Set price alerts on Zekrom ex SIR to catch market dips. Check seller feedback carefully on any BWR purchase outside of Direct. Bulk IR lots from Direct sellers are reliable and price-competitive.
Shop Scarlet & Violet Black Bolt singles on TCGPlayer →eBay
bothPricing: Market · Reliability: varies
Best for: Graded Zekrom ex BWR copies and sealed booster boxes
Auction format occasionally runs 10-20% below BIN on SIRs. Top Rated Seller required for any BWR transaction. Check sold listings for real comp data. Active listings are inflated by speculation in the first 2 weeks post-launch.
Pokemon Center
sealedPricing: MSRP · Reliability: high
Best for: MSRP sealed product at launch, avoiding third-party markup entirely
Stock sells out within hours on new SV set drops. Set up purchase alerts. Have payment info saved. Cart-to-checkout time needs to be fast.
r/pkmntcgtrades
bothPricing: Below Market · Reliability: varies
Best for: IR lots and SIR singles 10-15% below TCGPlayer, cross-set trades with White Flare collectors
Black Bolt IRs trade well against White Flare IRs for people collecting both sets. Useful way to fill gaps without cash outlay. PayPal G&S always. Check flair levels. Users with 50+ flair are significantly lower risk.
Local Game Stores
bothPricing: MSRP · Reliability: high
Best for: MSRP booster boxes, bulk commons, and trade-in credit for singles upgrades
Build LGS relationships before the set releases for allocation access. Trade-in credit typically runs 10-15% above cash value, useful for converting excess pulls into Black Bolt singles you actually need.
Facebook Pokemon Groups
bothPricing: Below Market · Reliability: varies
Best for: Local bulk lot deals that skip shipping costs
Large groups with active moderation are safer. Meet publicly for local transactions. Verify set symbols on every Black Bolt purchase. Confusion with White Flare is common among casual sellers. Expect 10-20% below TCGPlayer on bulk but authentication caution increases on high-value singles.
When to buy
Singles panic-priced. Sealed carries 30–50% premium. Wait if you can.
Best window for singles. Chase cards find their floor.
Bulk dips 15–20% on reprint news. Chase cards stay steady.
Sealed and top chase cards begin appreciation cycle.
Collecting strategy
Most cards in this set are worth around $1.01 as singles. Opening packs is the fun way to build your base of commons and uncommons with a chance at lucky pulls — but chase cards are statistically unlikely from sealed product. For most master set collectors, the smart approach is packs for bulk, singles for the rest.
Mix of singles and strategic pack opening
Open 2 booster boxes at launch for base set completion and IR hits, then buy remaining singles at settled 4-6 week pricing. Target Zekrom ex SIR once pricing normalizes. Grade Zekrom ex BWR if pulled with 60/40+ centering. Complete all IRs and SIRs by month 3. Skip BWR unless a clearly below-market listing appears.
Track your progress in the Scarlet & Violet Black Bolt binder planner →
Community insights
From collector discussions, forums, and social media.
What collectors are saying
- BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets. (Black & White Rare) cards are the new ultra-chase tier: monochrome foil treatment unlike anything in modern Pokemon. Zekrom ex BWR is the Black Bolt flagship.
- A compact base set with secret rares pushing the total well above that. Every Unova Pokemon gets Illustration Rare treatment, so even commons hold real floor value.
- Master Ball pattern reverse holos are back from Prismatic Evolutions. Same binder setup transfers if you already organized PE reverses.
- Paired with White Flare, with different card pools but the same rarity structure. You need both sets for complete Unova coverage.
- 50% hit rate including special treatments makes pack opening feel rewarding versus most SV-era sets.
- Zekrom ex BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets. is holding slightly firmer than Reshiram ex BWR in early comps. Black Bolt looks like the more in-demand set among competitive players who ran Zekrom decks in the original BW format.
- Victini and Emolga IR · Illustration RareA full-art card showing a Pokemon in an illustrated scene, numbered after the main set. are getting real collector attention for the artwork. Community is putting both in the top five IRs across both paired sets.
- Collectors who played competitive during the original BW era are treating Black Bolt as their primary set. There's a strong nostalgia pull for anyone who ran Zekrom builds.
- The base set feels well-curated. No filler. Every Unova family has representation and the IR · Illustration RareA full-art card showing a Pokemon in an illustrated scene, numbered after the main set. distribution skews toward fan favorites rather than just legendaries.
- Black Bolt stands on its own as a standalone set. Zekrom ex BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets. alone justifies collecting it even without touching White Flare.
- Case break data is aligning with White Flare estimates: roughly 1 BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets. per 500-800 packs across both sets. Zekrom is pulling at similar frequency to Reshiram in large-scale breaks.
Tips from the community
- BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets. cards are extremely fingerprint-sensitive. Sleeve immediately on pull: perfect-fit inner sleeve plus top-loader for anything with meaningful value.
- Complete the base set and IR · Illustration RareA full-art card showing a Pokemon in an illustrated scene, numbered after the main set. first through pack opening (2-3 ETB · Elite Trainer BoxA retail box with booster packs (usually nine), a promo card, sleeves, dice and Energy cards.), then switch to singles for SIR · Special Illustration RareThe top full-art rarity for Pokemon ex and Trainer cards, and usually a set's most valuable cards. and the BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets..
- If you're collecting both Black Bolt and White Flare, track them separately in your binder. Both sets number to /086 and the symbols are easy to overlook.
- Skip the BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets. if you're on a budget. Get to 95% base completion first. The BWR market will settle.
- Japanese versions are worth checking on specific high-value cards if English supply gets tight.
- Two booster boxes clears the statistical bulk of the base set. After that, singles are more efficient than continuing to open packs for stragglers.
- Decide your master set scope before spending: base + reverses, base + reverses + IR · Illustration RareA full-art card showing a Pokemon in an illustrated scene, numbered after the main set. + SIR · Special Illustration RareThe top full-art rarity for Pokemon ex and Trainer cards, and usually a set's most valuable cards., or full master including BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets.. The budget difference between tiers is significant.
- Buy Victini IR · Illustration RareA full-art card showing a Pokemon in an illustrated scene, numbered after the main set. and Emolga IR early. Community enthusiasm is already pushing prices on these before they stabilize. The window at initial listing prices is short.
- For Master Ball reverses, buy bulk lots from case breakers who aren't collecting them. You'll pay below-market rates for full holo sets.
- Zekrom ex SIR · Special Illustration RareThe top full-art rarity for Pokemon ex and Trainer cards, and usually a set's most valuable cards. will deflate from launch premiums within 3-4 weeks as case breaks flood the market. Don't pay inflated launch pricing for a card that's about to settle.
- Verify the Black Bolt set symbol on every purchase. The /086 numbering is identical to White Flare and some Unova Pokemon have cards in both sets with different artwork.
- If collecting both paired sets, use separate dedicated binders with clear labels. The visual similarity trips up even experienced collectors when cards get mixed.
Market insights
- BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets. cards are holding premium prices due to extreme rarity, and early case break data confirms lottery-tier pull odds.
- On expected value per pack, this is one of the stronger recent releases.
- Launch premiums of 30-50% over settled values typically last 2-4 weeks. Waiting saves real money on everything below BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets. tier.
- Wave releases push bulk card prices down 15-20%, but BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets. pricing is supply-constrained and mostly unaffected.
- Final Scarlet & Violet expansion status may sustain collector interest above typical mainline set levels long-term.
- Zekrom ex SIR · Special Illustration RareThe top full-art rarity for Pokemon ex and Trainer cards, and usually a set's most valuable cards. is tracking fractionally above Reshiram ex SIR in early sales due to slightly stronger competitive demand.
- Victini IR · Illustration RareA full-art card showing a Pokemon in an illustrated scene, numbered after the main set. and Emolga IR are the standout non-chase singles. Both have dedicated fan bases supporting floor pricing.
- IR · Illustration RareA full-art card showing a Pokemon in an illustrated scene, numbered after the main set. floor values make Black Bolt packs lower-variance than most SV sets. Almost no completely dead packs.
- Dual-set release keeps both sets honest. Collector attention split between Black Bolt and White Flare means neither absorbs full demand at once.
- The full master set excluding BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets. (base + reverses + IR · Illustration RareA full-art card showing a Pokemon in an illustrated scene, numbered after the main set. + SIR · Special Illustration RareThe top full-art rarity for Pokemon ex and Trainer cards, and usually a set's most valuable cards.) is the affordable half of the project. Adding Zekrom ex BWR pushes the total up by roughly half again.
- Master Ball reverse holo premiums sit 20-40% above standard SV reverses and have held since Prismatic Evolutions. These aren't deflating.
- Zekrom ex BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets. is showing early price resilience. Competitive meta interest may sustain it slightly longer than a purely nostalgia-driven card would.
Watch out for
- A complete Black Bolt master set is a serious standalone outlay. If you're doing both paired sets, budget for each before starting.
- Chasing Zekrom ex BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets. through packs runs to several times the single's market price in expected sealed investment. Buy the single.
- Black Bolt and White Flare both number to /086. Verify the set symbol before every singles purchase.
- BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets. print quality has shown inconsistent centering and ink coverage. Inspect carefully before any grading submission.
- Launch week eBay pricing on Zekrom ex BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets. is speculation, not market data. Wait 2-3 weeks for actual comp history.
- Master Ball reverses look premium, but prices soften as case supply builds. Don't pay launch inflated rates on reverse singles.
- Card name and number alone don't tell you which set a card belongs to. Multiple Unova Pokemon have cards in both Black Bolt and White Flare. Check the set symbol every time.
- Retailer bundles and tins run a steep per-pack equivalent. No advantage over ETB · Elite Trainer BoxA retail box with booster packs (usually nine), a promo card, sleeves, dice and Energy cards. or boxes for collecting purposes.
- Running both Black Bolt and White Flare budgets simultaneously causes drift fast. Set a hard ceiling for each set before opening your wallet.
Scarlet & Violet Black Bolt grading guide
Which Scarlet & Violet Black Bolt cards are worth the $20+/card grading fee? PSA 10 premiums vary significantly by rarity tier. See our complete grading guide for how grading works, costs, and international submission options.
Tier 1 - Priority Grading
Worth gradingHigh raw value means PSA 10 premium adds real dollars above the $75-150 grading fee. BWR print quality shows centering variance. Pre-screen carefully before submitting. Competitive appeal sustains graded copy demand.
Tier 2 - Selective Grading
Worth gradingViable for pristine pulls. Competitive demand for Zekrom sustains moderate PSA 10 premiums. Require 60/40+ centering before submitting. PSA 10 rate estimated 25-30% based on SV-era norms. Grade investment-intent copies only.
Tier 3 - Conditional Grading
Skip gradingGrading fees eat the premium on sub-$40 raws. The percentage multipliers look appealing; the absolute dollar premiums are modest. Victini has consistent fan demand that might reward patient graders in 2-3 years. Grade only near-perfect pulls with long-term hold intent.
Tier 4 - Do Not Grade
Skip gradingGrading costs match or exceed card values. Keep raw for the collection or bulk trade stock.
Before you submit — PSA checklist, fees, and tips▾
PSA 10 requirements
- Centering
- 55/45 minimum front and back. Modern SIRs frequently fail here — pre-screen every candidate.
- Corners
- Sharp, no whitening under magnification. Sleeve the moment you pull the card.
- Surface
- No scratches, print lines, or holo damage. SIR foils are especially vulnerable from the factory.
- Edges
- No chipping or fraying. Inspect under bright light.
PSA service tiers
- Value
- $20/card, 4–6 month turnaround. Right for raw values $75–500.
- Regular
- $50/card, 6–8 week turnaround. Right for raw values $500+.
- Express
- $75–150/card, 2–3 week turnaround. Only worth it above $1,000 raw.
Budget for a 5-card submission: $135–170 once you add shipping, insurance, and supplies.
Tips from experienced submitters
- • Pre-screen with a loupe — 70%+ of modern cards fail centering.
- • PSA Collectors Club ($99/year) pays for itself with 2–3 value-tier submissions.
- • Ship in batches of 10+ to amortize shipping and insurance.
- • PSA 9 typically sells at 40–60% of PSA 10 — still a premium over raw.
Storage & protection
Protect your 252-card Scarlet & Violet Black Bolt master set with archival binders, perfect-fit sleeves, and top loaders for the chase cards. Plan on $150–250 for complete coverage.
Premium binders
Dragon Shield Codex · $30–50
Archival pages, side-loading pockets, acid-free. For 252 cards, plan on 14 double-sided 9-pocket pages.
Perfect-fit sleeves
Every card · $30–50 total
Prevent micro-scratches from sliding cards in and out of binder pockets. You'll need roughly 3 packs for full coverage.
Top loaders
Chase cards · $15–25/pack
Rigid protection for SIRs and grading candidates. Essential for anything over $50 raw.
Scarlet & Violet Black Bolt card list
Every card in the Scarlet & Violet Black Bolt master set. Search, filter by rarity or price, and mark off what you own as you go. Tap any card for prices and variants.
Track your collection. Mark cards owned or wanted, add condition & notes, and watch your master set progress.
| Card | Price | Collection |
|---|---|---|
Snivy1/86 · Common | $0.12 | N Holo RH-B RH-M |
Servine2/86 · Common | $0.14 | N RH-B RH-M |
Serperior ex3/86 · Double Rare | $0.59 | Holo |
Pansage4/86 · Common | $0.10 | N RH-B RH-M |
Simisage5/86 · Uncommon | $0.05 | N RH-B RH-M |
Petilil6/86 · Common | $0.13 | N RH-B RH-M |
Lilligant7/86 · Uncommon | $0.13 | N RH-B RH-M |
Maractus8/86 · Common | $0.08 | N RH-B RH-M |
Karrablast9/86 · Common | $0.03 | N RH-B RH-M |
Foongus10/86 · Common | $0.12 | N RH-B RH-M |
Amoonguss11/86 · Uncommon | $0.12 | N RH-B RH-M |
Victini12/86 · Rare | $0.21 | Holo RH-B RH-M |
Darumaka13/86 · Common | $0.08 | N RH-B RH-M |
Darmanitan14/86 · Uncommon | $0.14 | N RH-B RH-M |
Larvesta15/86 · Common | $0.13 | N RH-B RH-M |
Volcarona16/86 · Rare | $0.23 | Holo RH-B RH-M |
Panpour17/86 · Common | $0.05 | N RH-B RH-M |
Simipour18/86 · Uncommon | $0.12 | N RH-B RH-M |
Tympole19/86 · Common | $0.17 | N RH-B RH-M |
Palpitoad20/86 · Common | $0.18 | N RH-B RH-M |
Seismitoad21/86 · Uncommon | $0.16 | N RH-B RH-M |
Tirtouga22/86 · Uncommon | $0.15 | N RH-B RH-M |
Carracosta23/86 · Rare | $0.20 | Holo RH-B RH-M |
Alomomola24/86 · Uncommon | $0.16 | N RH-B RH-M |
Cubchoo25/86 · Common | $0.17 | N RH-B RH-M |
Beartic26/86 · Rare | $0.21 | Holo RH-B RH-M |
Cryogonal27/86 · Uncommon | $0.03 | N RH-B RH-M |
Kyurem ex28/86 · Double Rare | $0.82 | Holo |
Emolga29/86 · Common | $0.18 | N RH-B RH-M |
Tynamo30/86 · Common | $0.22 | N RH-B RH-M |
Eelektrik31/86 · Uncommon | $0.30 | N RH-B RH-M |
Eelektross32/86 · Uncommon | $0.16 | N RH-B RH-M |
Thundurus33/86 · Rare | $0.16 | Holo RH-B RH-M |
Zekrom ex34/86 · Double Rare | $0.71 | Holo |
Munna35/86 · Common | $0.15 | N RH-B RH-M |
Musharna36/86 · Uncommon | $0.20 | N RH-B RH-M |
Solosis37/86 · Common | $0.15 | N RH-B RH-M |
Duosion38/86 · Common | $0.19 | N RH-B RH-M |
Reuniclus39/86 · Uncommon | $0.16 | N RH-B RH-M |
Elgyem40/86 · Common | $0.19 | N RH-B RH-M |
Beheeyem41/86 · Uncommon | $0.08 | N RH-B RH-M |
Golett42/86 · Common | $0.03 | N RH-B RH-M |
Golurk43/86 · Uncommon | $0.06 | N RH-B RH-M |
Meloetta ex44/86 · Double Rare | $0.54 | Holo |
Drilbur45/86 · Common | $0.05 | N RH-B RH-M |
Excadrill ex46/86 · Double Rare | $0.58 | Holo |
Timburr47/86 · Common | $0.11 | N RH-B RH-M |
Gurdurr48/86 · Common | $0.10 | N RH-B RH-M |
Conkeldurr49/86 · Rare | $0.16 | Holo RH-B RH-M |
Throh50/86 · Uncommon | $0.11 | N RH-B RH-M |
Frequently asked questions
How many cards are in the Black Bolt master set?▾
The Black Bolt master set is 252 cards: 86 base cards, 80 reverse holofoils, and 86 secret rares and special-art cards. The base set alone is 172 unique cards, numbered 001/86 through the secret rares. Track all 252 with the free interactive checklist on Cardrake.
See also: Binder layout planner
What are the chase cards in Black Bolt?▾
The top chase card in Black Bolt is Victini (Black White Rare) at $627.44. Other high-value cards include Zekrom ex ($611.19) and Zekrom ex ($269.93). See the full chase card rankings above for current prices.
See also: Chase card rankings, Binder layout planner
How much does a Black Bolt master set cost?▾
A complete Black Bolt master set is estimated at $3,389 based on current TCGPlayer market prices. Budget collectors can start with the base set for significantly less, while premium completionists targeting graded copies should expect higher costs.
See also: Master set budgeting guide, Binder layout planner
What is the complete Black Bolt master set card list?▾
The Black Bolt set contains 86 base cards across 8 rarity tiers plus 86 secret rares. View the complete card list with images, prices, and rarity information on the Black Bolt binder layout page on Cardrake.
See also: Binder layout planner
How should I organize Black Bolt in a binder?▾
For 252 cards (including reverse holos), a 9-pocket binder needs 14 double-sided pages and a 12-pocket binder needs 11 pages. Use Cardrake's visual binder planner to preview exactly how your cards will be laid out before you start sleeving.
See also: Binder layout planner, Binder organization guide
Is there a Black Bolt master set checklist?▾
Yes — Cardrake provides a visual master set checklist for Black Bolt with all 172 cards. You can track owned and missing cards, view your completion percentage, and plan your binder layout. Sign up for the Collector plan to save your progress.
See also: Binder layout planner
What are the Special Illustration Rares (SIRs) in Black Bolt?▾
Black Bolt has 7 Special Illustration Rares: Serperior ex (164/86), Kyurem ex (165/86), Zekrom ex (166/86), Meloetta ex (167/86), Excadrill ex (168/86), Genesect ex (169/86), Ns Plan (170/86). SIRs are the set's premier chase cards — check the chase card rankings above for current market prices.
See also: Chase card rankings, Binder layout planner
Is Black Bolt worth collecting as a master set?▾
Black Bolt has 172 unique cards with an estimated completion cost of $3,389. It is a mid-sized master set that offers a solid collecting challenge. With 57 cards over $10, the set has strong chase card appeal.
See also: Master set guide, Binder layout planner
How does Black Bolt differ from White Flare?▾
Black Bolt and White Flare are companion sets with separate card pools that together cover the Unova region. Both share the same base set size and rarity structure: IR · Illustration RareA full-art card showing a Pokemon in an illustrated scene, numbered after the main set., SIR · Special Illustration RareThe top full-art rarity for Pokemon ex and Trainer cards, and usually a set's most valuable cards., BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets., and Master Ball reverses. Black Bolt has Zekrom and cards not found in White Flare, and vice versa. You need both for complete Unova coverage, but each works as a standalone collectible set with its own chase hierarchy.
What pull rates should I expect from Black Bolt packs?▾
Early case break data puts BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets. pulls at lottery-tier odds, consistent with White Flare estimates. SIR · Special Illustration RareThe top full-art rarity for Pokemon ex and Trainer cards, and usually a set's most valuable cards. rate follows standard SV-era odds. Overall hit rate (any special treatment) is approximately 50% per pack. A booster box (36 packs) yields roughly 1 SIR and 18+ packs with some kind of special treatment.
Which Black Bolt cards should I prioritize buying?▾
1) Zekrom ex SIR · Special Illustration RareThe top full-art rarity for Pokemon ex and Trainer cards, and usually a set's most valuable cards., the accessible flagship and most in-demand non-BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets. card. 2) Victini IR · Illustration RareA full-art card showing a Pokemon in an illustrated scene, numbered after the main set. and Emolga IR, both showing strong community demand and early upward price pressure. 3) Complete the base set via 2 ETB · Elite Trainer BoxA retail box with booster packs (usually nine), a promo card, sleeves, dice and Energy cards.. 4) Remaining IRs and SIRs as budget allows. 5) Zekrom ex BWR last. Wait 4-6 weeks for the market to settle before committing.
Are the Black Bolt reverse holos different from standard SV sets?▾
Yes. Black Bolt uses the Master Ball pattern, identical to White Flare and Prismatic Evolutions. That makes reverses noticeably more premium than standard SV sets with 20-40% price premiums over comparable standard-pattern reverses. If you already have a Prismatic Evolutions binder organized, the same setup works directly for Black Bolt.
Should I collect Black Bolt or White Flare first if I can only do one?▾
Depends on which Pokemon matter to you. Black Bolt has Zekrom, Victini, Emolga, and a Unova lineup that skews toward BW competitive era fan favorites. White Flare has Reshiram and a different Unova split. If you ran Zekrom decks or prefer Electric-type legendaries, Black Bolt is the natural starting point. If Reshiram or Fire-type legendaries are your preference, start with White Flare.
What sealed products are available for Black Bolt?▾
Standard SV mainline lineup: Booster Box (36 packs) is the best value. Elite Trainer Box (9 packs plus accessories) works for casual opening. Booster Bundle (6 packs) and Build & Battle Box (4 packs) round out the lineup but carry higher per-pack costs with no offsetting benefit for master set collectors. Booster Box is the clear pick if you're opening product.
How do I avoid confusing Black Bolt and White Flare cards?▾
Always check the set symbol. The card numbering runs identically across both sets, so number alone tells you nothing. When buying singles, verify the set ID in the listing title or card scan. Use separate binders or clearly marked dividers when organizing. Common confusion point: Unova Pokemon that appear in both sets with different artwork but the same Pokemon name.
Will Black Bolt cards be reprinted?▾
Standard SV mainline set, so expect print runs through 2026. Bulk IR · Illustration RareA full-art card showing a Pokemon in an illustrated scene, numbered after the main set. and commons will soften 15-25% as case supply builds. BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets. rarity is structural, not a print quantity issue. Reprints add packs to the market but don't change BWR pull rates. Zekrom ex SIR · Special Illustration RareThe top full-art rarity for Pokemon ex and Trainer cards, and usually a set's most valuable cards. will normalize from launch premiums over time. Buy bulk singles at settled pricing rather than at launch.
How long does it take to complete a Black Bolt master set?▾
Budget singles route (excluding BWR · Black White RareA special rarity found only in the Black Bolt and White Flare sets.): 8-12 months. Mid-tier hybrid (2 boxes plus targeted singles): 4-6 months. Premium fast-track including BWR: 6-10 weeks with the largest upfront spend. Add 2-4 months to any estimate if collecting White Flare at the same time.