Market Watch: Pokémon Black Bolt Chase Cards Stabilize Six Months Later

Half a year after the release of Pokémon Black Bolt, the market has settled. We analyze the current prices of the set's top chase cards.

It has been exactly six months since the Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Black Bolt expansion dropped in July, bringing players back to the Unova region with a monochrome twist. The initial hype was massive, driven largely by the debut of the "Black White Rare" rarity. Now that the dust has settled and the initial supply crunch is over, we’re seeing where the market truly values these singles.

The big story remains the Black White Rares. Both Victini and Zekrom (the secret monochrome versions) have held incredibly high price points, solidifying them as some of the most premium modern cards of the era. Meanwhile, the Special Illustration Rares (SIR) have found more accessible floors, though specific playable cards like Seismitoad are commanding surprising premiums for their rarity tier.

Here is a spotlight on the prices of the top chase cards you asked about, based on current market data:

The Heavy Hitters (Black White Rares)

• Victini (Black White Rare #171)
  • Current Price: ~$400
  • Analysis: This is the crown jewel of the set. The stark red artwork has made it a collector favorite, maintaining a price point that rivals top-tier chase cards from the Scarlet & Violet era.
    
• Zekrom ex (Black White Rare #172)
  • Current Price: ~$395
  • Analysis: Neck-and-neck with Victini, this card pays homage to the legendary mascot of Pokémon White (ironically in the Black Bolt set). It has dipped slightly from its release high but remains a massive hit.

Special Illustration Rares & Standouts

• Zekrom ex (Special Illustration Rare #166)
  • Current Price: ~$200
  • Analysis: While not the monochrome version, this SIR features dynamic, full-color artwork that many collectors actually prefer. It holds a strong mid-range value significantly above the other SIRs.
    
• Seismitoad (Illustration Rare #105)
  • Current Price: ~$150
  • Analysis: The sleeper hit of the set. Despite being a "regular" Illustration Rare, its price is explosive—likely due to a combination of Shinji Kanda's distinct artwork and competitive viability in water box decks.
    
• Kyurem ex (Special Illustration Rare #165)
  • Current Price: ~$65
  • Analysis: A fan-favorite legendary that is surprisingly affordable compared to its Unova brethren. A great pickup for collectors at this price.
    
• N's Plan (Special Illustration Rare #170)
  • Current Price: ~$65
  • Analysis: Trainer cards often fluctuate wildly, but N remains an iconic character. This card has stabilized around the $65 mark, making it a solid hold.
    
• Genesect ex (Special Illustration Rare #169)
  • Current Price: ~$60
  • Analysis: The technological Mythical Pokémon features intricate sci-fi artwork here. It sits comfortably in the middle of the pack for SIR values.

Best Value Pickups

• Meloetta ex (Special Illustration Rare #167)
  • Current Price: ~$45
  • Analysis: Beautiful artwork for under $50. Meloetta is often undervalued, and this card is no exception.
    
• Serperior ex (Special Illustration Rare #164)
  • Current Price: ~$45
  • Analysis: The Grass-type starter hasn't seen the same competitive love as others, keeping its price very accessible for an SIR.
    
• Haxorus (Illustration Rare #147)
  • Current Price: ~$40
  • Analysis: A ferocious art style for a fan-favorite dragon. At $40, it's on the pricier side for a standard IR, showing the demand for this specific Pokémon.