What's the best card in Black Bolt and White Flare?

Most Valuable Cards from “Black Bolt” and “White Flare” Sets — Victini Emerges as a Fan Favorite!

The recently released “Black Bolt” and “White Flare” expansions in Japan have sparked a lot of excitement among collectors and players alike. Now that these large sets have settled in the secondary market, it’s clear which cards are commanding the highest prices — a strong indicator of their popularity.

Top Secret Rare Cards

Leading the pack are the Black & White Rare versions of Zekrom ex and Reshiram ex, each valued around 46,800 yen (approximately $321 USD). Their Secret Rare counterparts are also highly sought after, with prices near half that amount.

Other standout Secret Rare cards include fan-favorites like Hilda and N’s Plot, as well as powerful Pokémon such as Hydreigon ex and Kyurem ex. Many of these range from about $20 to $100 USD, showing solid collector demand.

Reverse Holo Highlights

Among reverse holo cards, Victini is notably the most prized, trading at roughly 3,480 yen ($24 USD). Other popular reverse holos include Chandelure, Tynamo, Frillish, and Eelektrik, all valued between $9 and $12. In contrast, common reverse holo cards like the Poke Ball variants remain inexpensive, usually under $2.

Illustration Rares That Stand Out

While most Illustration Rares fall between $3 and $5, certain Pokémon command significantly higher prices. Victini once again leads this category, followed by favorites like Zoroark, Zorua, and Seismitoad. The latter’s value is likely boosted by its association with renowned artist Shinji Kanda, who also illustrated Giratina V.

What Drives These Values?

Interestingly, some of the highest-priced cards, like Victini and Chandelure, are not commonly used in competitive play. Their popularity appears rooted in fan appeal and artwork rather than gameplay utility. Conversely, Pokémon such as Zorua, Zoroark, and Jellicent ex combine both popularity and tournament viability, contributing to their higher market value.