These Are The Most Expensive Black Bolt White Flare Pokémon Cards Right Now

As I discovered when previewing Black Bolt and White Flare, it’s one of the most exciting ways to close out the Scarlet and Violet era. The two sets launched together on July 18, 2025, and they combine to cover every single Pokémon from the Unova region. Each half of the expansion has its own personality, with Black Bolt centered around Zekrom, Kyurem, and Genesect, while White Flare features Reshiram, Keldeo, and Hydreigon. It feels like a celebration of Gen V, and one of the biggest reasons the set feels special is the sheer variety of rarities and artworks.
Every Pokémon in both sets has at least one Illustration Rare or Special Illustration Rare, and it’s obvious just how much care went into these designs. Even commons and uncommons have art that makes you stop and take a closer look before tossing them in a binder. Add in the new Poké Ball and Master Ball reverse holos, and these packs feel loaded with cards that look good enough to display, not just play.
TL;DR – 10 Most Expensive S&V: 151 Cards
Among all the great cards, there are a handful that stand out for both their power and their price tags. The Black White Rare versions of Zekrom ex and Reshiram ex are already proving to be chase cards thanks to their striking monochrome foil treatment and strong scaling attacks. Cards like Hydreigon ex, Kyurem ex, and Genesect ex are also high on the list, being playable while looking incredible in their Special Illustration Rare versions. Victini in its Black White Rare prints is a surprising highlight too, proving that even a tiny Pokémon can end up being one of the most valuable pulls in the set. Twice, and absolutly no one knows why. Fantastic. Let’s break down the most expensive cards in Black Bolt and White Flare:
Kyurem ex – 165/086
Kyurem ex is one of those cards that feels just as good to play as it does to collect. Sitting at 230 HP with a decent [CC] Slash for 50 damage, it’s easy to get something going early while you build up to its real payoff attack. Blizzard Burst is where Kyurem ex really shines. For [WWC], you’re not only hitting for 130 damage, but also spreading damage across your opponent’s entire Bench depending on how many Prize cards they’ve already taken. That scaling chip damage can completely flip a game in your favor, especially in matchups where your opponent goes aggressive and grabs early prizes. It plays nicely with decks that focus on spread strategies or set up for big finishers like Miraidon or Rapid Strike builds that thrive off softening multiple targets.
As a card to collect, this Special Illustration Rare looks incredible. The artwork captures Kyurem’s icy power mid-battle, and the way the blues and whites pop on the card stock makes it one of the cleanest pulls from Black Bolt. It’s not just pretty to look at though. I like cards that reward smart timing, and Blizzard Burst feels like that perfect risk-reward attack. When your opponent has already taken a few prizes, Kyurem ex becomes a nightmare to deal with. It isn’t a brainless damage machine, you have to plan around when to drop it and when to hit with it, but that’s part of what makes pulling and playing it so satisfying.
Genesect ex – 169/086
Genesect ex is a card that immediately feels powerful the moment you read its Ability. Metallic Signal lets you search for up to two Evolution Metal Pokémon every single turn, which is huge for consistency in decks that rely on setting up Stage 1 or Stage 2 attackers. Being able to grab two evolutions in one go is the kind of effect that can snowball fast, especially if you’re running builds with cards like Magnezone or Copperajah as finishers. Its attack, Protect Charge, hits for a solid 150 damage at [MMC] while also giving Genesect ex some built-in protection by reducing incoming damage by 30 on your opponent’s next turn. It’s not quite tank-level bulk, but paired with its 220 HP and Metal support cards, it can be surprisingly tough to knock out.
From a collector’s angle, this Special Illustration Rare is one of the cleanest-looking cards in Black Bolt. The design really leans into Genesect’s mechanical style, with dynamic angles and a sense of speed that matches its lore as a weaponized Bug Pokémon. What I enjoy most about this card is how versatile it feels. Even if Protect Charge isn’t always your primary win condition, Metallic Signal can make Genesect ex worth playing just for the setup power it brings to metal decks. It feels like one of those cards that both competitive players and collectors will chase, and when you finally pull one from a pack, you know you’ve got something that’s both playable and special.
Keldeo ex – 167/086
Keldeo ex has quickly become one of my favorite cards from White Flare because of how much flexibility it gives in battle. Gale Thrust is its bread and butter. For just [1W], you can swing for 30 damage, but if Keldeo ex moved from the Bench to the Active Spot that turn, the attack jumps up to 120 damage. That mechanic rewards clever switching plays and makes it a great fit for decks that already use pivot cards like Escape Rope or Switch Cart. Its second attack, Sonic Edge, is also incredibly handy. Hitting for 120 while ignoring effects on your opponent’s Active Pokémon means you can cut through walls like Safeguard-style abilities or annoying damage reduction strategies. With 210 HP, it isn’t the bulkiest ex, but its low energy costs and easy synergy with Water acceleration make it a strong mid-game attacker.
This Special Illustration Rare version is stunning in person. The flowing water effects and Keldeo’s dynamic pose give the card a lot of movement, which feels perfect for a Pokémon that’s all about agility and precision strikes. I like Keldeo ex because it rewards active gameplay. You can’t just bench it and hope for the best, you get the most out of it by constantly moving pieces around the board and planning ahead. Pulling it feels exciting because you know it’s not just binder candy. It has a role in decks that thrive on tempo plays, and it adds a bit of unpredictability to games when you time Gale Thrust perfectly.
Hydreigon ex – 169/086
Hydreigon ex is the kind of card that feels like a payoff for players willing to commit to a Stage 2 attacker. With a hefty 330 HP, it is one of the bulkiest cards in White Flare, and it can sit on the field soaking up hits while dishing out serious damage. Its Ability, Greedy Eater, is where things get spicy. If Hydreigon ex knocks out a Basic Pokémon with damage from its attack, you take an extra Prize card. In the right matchup, that can completely swing the game, letting you punish decks that lean on big Basic ex attackers. Its attack, Dark Bite, is straightforward but effective. For [2DDD], it deals 200 damage and prevents the Defending Pokémon from retreating on the following turn. It isn’t the fastest attacker to power up, but once it’s online, it’s oppressive in the right deck.
The Special Illustration Rare art for Hydreigon ex is as menacing as it should be. It has a sense of scale and chaos that fits the Pokémon’s personality perfectly, and it looks incredible in a binder. I really like Hydreigon ex because it plays a different game compared to most attackers right now. It rewards planning and resource management since you have to get it evolved and charged up before it dominates. The bonus Prize card effect feels amazing when it works, turning matchups on their head in one attack. It’s the kind of card that isn’t just a collector’s piece but also a genuinely fun high-risk, high-reward option for players who enjoy setting up big late-game swings.
Reshiram ex – 166/086
Reshiram ex is the kind of card that becomes scarier the longer the game goes on. Its first attack, Slash, is cheap at [2] for 50 damage and gives you a way to chip early if you need it. The real power comes from Blaze Burst. For [1RR], it starts at 130 damage and then adds 50 more damage for every Prize card your opponent has already taken. If your opponent is ahead, this attack can easily reach one-hit knockout levels on most Pokémon in the format. The only drawback is discarding an Energy after attacking, but Fire decks have plenty of acceleration tools, so it rarely feels punishing. Reshiram ex fits naturally into aggressive Fire builds, but it also works as a comeback attacker that punishes opponents for taking early leads.
The Special Illustration Rare version looks incredible, showing Reshiram in vivid flames that really stand out on the card. It’s one of those pulls that feels special just holding it. What I love about Reshiram ex is that it rewards patient play. You can bench it early, power it up, and wait until the right moment to swing for massive damage. Few things feel better than knocking out a big attacker with Blaze Burst when your opponent thought they were safe. It’s both a collectible chase card and a powerful piece in Fire decks, which makes pulling it all the more satisfying.
Zekrom ex – 166/086
Zekrom ex feels like the perfect counterpart to Reshiram ex, and it’s just as deadly in the right deck. Its first attack, Slash, is a simple [CC] for 50 damage, giving you something to do early while you set up. The main draw is Voltage Burst. For [LLC], it starts at 130 damage and then scales up by 50 more damage for every Prize card your opponent has taken. The drawback is that Zekrom ex does 30 damage to itself, but with 230 HP it can usually handle that recoil without too much worry. Like Reshiram ex, this card is fantastic as a comeback attacker, punishing opponents who take an early lead. It pairs nicely with Lightning support like Flaaffy or Miraidon ex, letting you power it up quickly and swing for huge damage when it matters most.
The Special Illustration Rare version of Zekrom ex looks stunning, with bold sprays of lightning and a sense of raw power that suits the legendary Pokémon perfectly. It feels like a prize every time you pull one. I like Zekrom ex because it’s aggressive without being mindless. You have to think about when to drop it into play and when to use Voltage Burst for maximum impact. The self-damage adds a small layer of risk that makes it more interesting than just hitting big numbers. Collectors will chase it for the art, but as a player, it’s a card that can completely flip a game if you time it right.
Victini – 171/086
Victini as a Black White Rare feels special because it’s not just a flashy card but also one with a high ceiling in the right deck. At just 80 HP it’s extremely fragile, but V‑Force is an attack that can punish opponents hard if you set it up correctly. For [RR], you hit for 120 damage, which is a lot for such a low-cost Basic. The catch is that you can only use the attack effectively if you have more than four Pokémon on your Bench. That condition means you need to be mindful of your board state, but Fire decks have plenty of ways to flood the field with Basics quickly. It isn’t a card that will always be a main attacker, but in decks focused on speed and early pressure, Victini can act as a sneaky closer that trades up into much bulkier Pokémon.
This version of Victini looks amazing in the new Black White Rare treatment. The monochrome foil design with bold accents gives the card a prestige feel that stands out even in a binder full of Illustration Rares. I really like Victini because it feels like a card that makes you think about your bench management in a way most Fire attackers don’t. It is fragile, sure, but the payoff of landing a 120-damage hit with such a tiny Pokémon always feels great. Pulling it is exciting not just for the price tag but because it’s a card you actually want to try in a deck just to see how often you can make it work.
Zekrom ex – 172/086
This Black White Rare version of Zekrom ex takes everything I already like about the card and gives it a prestige look that feels worthy of the legendary Pokémon. It has the same moveset as the Special Illustration Rare: Slash for [CC] is a simple 50‑damage option when you are getting set up, and Voltage Burst for [LLC] scales aggressively with how many Prize cards your opponent has taken. The self‑damage of 30 is barely an issue given Zekrom ex’s 230 HP, especially if you are timing it as a late‑game swing attacker. It is particularly effective in decks with Flaaffy or Miraidon ex, since they can quickly power up the energy needed to start swinging for huge knockouts.
What makes this version special is that it’s part of the new Black White Rare rarity. The monochrome foil looks incredible, and it really suits Zekrom’s design. It feels more like a collectible trophy card than just another chase pull. I like this version because it has that perfect mix of playability and collector appeal. You can sleeve it up and actually use it in a competitive Lightning deck without feeling like it is binder‑only, but it still looks amazing as a centerpiece card in any collection. Pulling it feels like hitting the jackpot, especially because it’s both valuable and useful.
Reshiram ex – 173/086
The Black White Rare version of Reshiram ex feels like the definitive collector’s card from White Flare. It shares the same moveset as its Special Illustration Rare counterpart. Slash for [2] is a basic 50‑damage attack that can get some early chip damage in, but Blaze Burst is the real threat. For [1RR], it hits for 130 damage plus 50 more for every Prize card your opponent has already taken, letting it snowball into a late‑game powerhouse. You do have to discard an Energy after attacking, but Fire decks have no shortage of acceleration options to make that cost manageable. Reshiram ex fits beautifully into Fire box‑style builds as a closer that can clean up after other attackers have softened up your opponent’s board.
This Black White Rare version looks stunning with the monochrome foil finish. It gives Reshiram a prestige aesthetic that really pops when you hold the card in person. I like this card because it strikes that perfect balance between collector appeal and competitive potential. Pulling it feels like a huge moment, not just because of its price tag but because it’s the kind of card you can actually slot into a deck and use to swing games in your favor. It rewards patience and smart timing, and when Blaze Burst lands for a knockout at just the right time, it feels incredible.
Victini – 172/086
This is pretty much the same card as Victini 171/086 but is from the White Flare half of this set, so there’s not much to say here except it seems harder to pull judging from the current value. Go figure.
Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of “Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior”. Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.