White Flare is the highly anticipated Pokémon TCG set from the Scarlet & Violet series, launched on July 18, 2025, inviting Trainers to reunite with the beloved Pokémon of Unova and ascend to new heights. This expansive set, boasting over 170 cards, allows players to evolve first partners Tepig and Oshawott into the formidable Emboar and Samurott, while also discovering the undeniable power of truth with iconic Legendary and Mythical Pokémon like Reshiram ex and Keldeo ex.
As collectors strive to fill their Pokédex, they’ll be treated to special illustrations of each Pokémon and unique parallel cards featuring charming Poké Ball patterns. With such a rich and diverse collection, some cards are destined to stand out from the rest.
10. Samurott – 107/086 (Illustration Rare)
The Illustration Rare Samurott is anticipated to be a highly sought-after card, following the trend of popular final evolutions from previous sets. Given the success of the Scarlet & Violet—151 set and its Special Illustration Rares, the Gen V starter evolutions in Black Bolt and White Flare are expected to be in strong demand. Samurott offers competitive utility with a repeatable, Hyper Blower-like Ability and an attack that scales with energy. However, players will need to commit significant resources to evolve this Stage 2 Pokémon and attach enough Energy to achieve one-hit KOs. Despite these challenges, Samurott still holds potential to lead rogue decks to unexpected victories.
9. Oshawott – 105/086 (Illustration Rare)
This Illustration Rare Oshawott card from the White Flare expansion features stunning artwork that highlights the beloved Water-type starter Pokémon. As a Basic Pokémon with 70 HP, it serves as the foundational stage for its evolutionary line. Oshawott possesses two attacks: “Tackle” requiring one Water Energy for 10 damage, and “Water Gun” requiring two Water Energy for 30 damage. Its Illustration Rare designation makes it a desirable collectible for fans looking to complete their sets with unique artwork.
8. Whimsicott ex – 165/086 (Special Illustration Rare)
The Special Illustration Rare Whimsicott ex is a visually captivating Stage 1 Grass-type Pokémon ex, evolving from Cottonee, boasting 230 HP. Its “Energy Gift” attack allows players to search their deck for up to three Basic Energy cards and attach them to their Pokémon in any way they choose, then shuffle their deck. The “Wondrous Cotton” attack deals 50 damage for each Trainer card in the opponent’s hand after they reveal it, offering a unique damage-scaling mechanic. This card’s artwork features a full art illustration that extends across the card, making it a highly sought-after collectible.
7. Jellicent ex – 168/086 (Special Illustration Rare)
This Special Illustration Rare Jellicent ex showcases Narano’s distinct artistic style, known for depicting shiny, floating forms, perfectly suited to Jellicent’s unique appearance. Beyond its captivating artwork, Jellicent ex possesses a formidable Oceanic Curse Ability. This ability, when Jellicent ex is in the Active Spot, prevents opponents from playing any Item cards or Pokémon Tool cards from their hand. The card’s effect can severely disrupt an opponent’s strategy, forcing them to adapt their gameplay without crucial support cards.
6. Hilda – 171/086 (Special Illustration Rare)
The Gen V female player character, Hilda, makes her debut on a Pokémon card in this Special Illustration Rare iteration, much to the delight of her fans. This Supporter card provides valuable utility, allowing players to search their deck for an Evolution Pokémon and any Energy card to add to their hand. This flexibility extends to Special Energy cards, enabling decks like Dragapult to retrieve specific resources such as Luminous Energy. Hilda’s inclusion offers a reliable method for decks to access crucial Energy types, potentially encouraging new strategies that incorporate Special Energy.
5. Keldeo ex – 167/086 (Special Illustration Rare)
The Special Illustration Rare Keldeo ex is a powerful Basic Water-type Pokémon ex with 210 HP, showcasing detailed and expansive artwork. Its “Gale Thrust” attack deals 30 damage, with an additional 90 damage if Keldeo ex moved from the Bench to the Active Spot during that turn, encouraging strategic switching. The “Sonic Edge” attack delivers a solid 120 damage, and its damage is unaffected by any effects on the opponent’s Active Pokémon, allowing it to bypass common defensive abilities. As a Special Illustration Rare, this card is particularly valuable to collectors due to its rarity and impressive full-art design.
4. Hydreigon ex – 169/08 (Special Illustration Rare)
This Special Illustration Rare Hydreigon ex is a highly sought-after card, offering a new, visually striking representation of the pseudo-legendary Pokémon. Its continued presence in the Pokémon TCG is welcomed by many enthusiasts who appreciate its design. As a game piece, Hydreigon ex lives up to its “Brutal Pokémon” category with potent abilities. Its Greed Eater Ability allows for taking an extra Prize card, a powerful effect seen on highly competitive cards like Iron Hands ex and Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX.
3. Reshiram ex – 166/086 (Special Illustration Rare)
The Special Illustration Rare Reshiram ex from White Flare showcases the namesake Pokémon in a vibrant and fiery depiction. The artwork by kawayoo deviates from the typical black/white theme, presenting stunning, colorful flames. Similar to Zekrom ex, Reshiram ex features an attack that gains power based on the opponent’s taken Prize cards. At crucial points in the game, its Blaze Burst attack can deal a massive 380 damage, capable of one-shotting any Pokémon, including the 360-HP Mega Evolution series Pokémon arriving in September.
2. Victini – 172/086 (Black White Rare)
To uniquely honor the Unova region, The Pokémon Company introduced a special “Black White Rare” rarity for the Black Bolt and White Flare expansions. Cards with this rarity feature a two-star rarity symbol (one dark, one light) and a striking monochromatic color scheme. While a small number of BWR Victini cards were distributed in Japan as tournament prizes and through lotteries, this card was not initially available in Japanese booster packs. International fans can now acquire BWR Victini in both the English Black Bolt and White Flare sets, with distinct collector numbers (171 in Black Bolt and 172 in White Flare). The existence of two versions makes BWR Victini one of the rarest and most challenging cards to collect in White Flare.
1. Reshiram ex – 173/086 (Black White Rare)
This super-rare Reshiram ex, designated 173/086, is the premier chase card in White Flare, boasting a special rarity designed to celebrate the Unova region. The monochromatic color palette of Black White Rares may not appeal to all collectors, but these cards serve as undeniable proof of mastering the set. BWR Reshiram ex stands as the crown jewel of White Flare. Its value could potentially make it one of the most coveted Pokémon TCG cards of 2025, depending on its pull rates compared to other highly sought-after sets like Prismatic Evolutions.
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