TL;DR: As of Aug. 26, Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet Black Bolt and White Flare Elite Trainer Boxes are over 12% cheaper on TCGPlayer vs. Amazon.

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Credit: The Pokémon Company

Pokémon TCG White Flare Elite Trainer Box

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If you’ve been waiting to dive into the brand-new Scarlet & Violet Black Bolt and White Flare expansions, the Elite Trainer Boxes are the best way to start, and TCGPlayer has both cheaper than Amazon. Right now, the Black Bolt ETB is $87.79 at TCGPlayer compared to $92.94 at Amazon, while the White Flare ETB is $82.49 at TCGPlayer versus $92.94 at Amazon.

• Black Bolt Elite Trainer Box — $85 at TCGPlayer vs. $92.94 at Amazon (save $7.94, or 5.71%)

• White Flare Elite Trainer Box — $80 at TCGPlayer vs. $92.94 at Amazon (save $12.94, or 12.20%)

On Amazon, both boxes are priced the same at $92.94 each. The better bet is TCGPlayer, where you’re saving between 6% and 12% depending on which half of the set you grab. That difference means more booster packs for the same money when you think about it in trade value.

Each Elite Trainer Box is packed with nine Black Bolt or White Flare booster packs, a full-art promo card, card sleeves, energy, dice, and all the accessories you need to play or collect. The Black Bolt ETB includes a Thundurus promo, while the White Flare ETB comes with a full-art promo.

These expansions mark the first-ever split release for the English TCG. Between them, they cover all 156 Unova-region Pokémon with new Illustration Rare and Special Illustration Rare cards. With prices already creeping up on big-box retailers, this is a good chance to lock in both ETBs below $90.

Across the board, these Black Bolt and White Flare products are more affordable on TCGPlayer than Amazon, often by double digit percentages. If you want to grab promo cards, crack open packs, or display sealed boxes, buying now ensures you are paying fair prices before the market tightens.

Most valuable Black Bolt and White Flare Pokémon cards

Credit: The Pokémon Company

Black Bolt and White Flare expansions are packed with some of the coolest chase cards we’ve seen in a while. The Black and White Rares bring back Unova’s Legendary powerhouses in stunning new designs, while the Special Illustration Rares are every bit as collectible, turning favorites like Reshiram, and Zekrom into true centerpiece cards for any binder. Here's the top 5 most valuable Black Bolt and White Rare Pokémon card you could pull from your Elite Trainer Box, or just buy the card because they're super hard to pull:

1. Victini – 172/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $450
   Market price: $474.25
   Value at launch: $500

2. Reshiram ex – 173/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $420
   Market price: $445.20
   Value at launch: $488.50

3. Zekrom ex – 172/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $400
   Market price: $406.80
   Value at launch: $499.50

4. Victini – 171/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $430
   Market price: $430
   Value at launch: $440

5. Zekrom ex – 166/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $203
   Market price: $208.05
   Value at launch: $210.56

6. Reshiram ex – 166/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $190
   Market price: $203.13
   Value at launch: $210.56