You remember 2011? The 3DS was just hitting shelves, and the Pokémon world was about to get a massive shock. Out of nowhere, the Pokemon Black and White set landed, and honestly, the TCG was never the same after that. It wasn't just another expansion. It was a total hard reset for the game.
Basically, the designers decided to pull a "Base Set" move. They restricted the entire set to only the 156 new Pokémon discovered in the Unova region. No Pikachu (well, except for a very sneaky secret rare). No Charizard. Just a bunch of weird, fresh faces like Snivy, Oshawott, and Tepig. People were actually kinda mad at first. Now? Those cards are the bedrock of the most expensive competitive format in existence.
Why the Black and White Base Set was a massive gamble
If you look at the set list today, it feels tight. Focused. At the time, though, it was a huge risk. For the first time, "Poké-Powers" and "Poké-Bodies" were killed off. They were replaced by Abilities, a term we still use today. It simplified the game, but it also made it way faster.
The most iconic thing about this set—and what makes collectors lose their minds—is the introduction of Full Art cards.
Before 2011, your "big hit" was usually a Holo or maybe a Level X card with some silver borders. Then came the Reshiram #113 and Zekrom #114. These weren't just shiny; the art covered the entire card. They had this unique, etched texture that felt like a fingerprint when you ran your thumb over it. If you have a PSA 10 of that Zekrom today, you're looking at something worth over $2,500. Not bad for a piece of cardboard you might have pulled from a $4 pack at Target.
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The Secret Pikachu and the "Secret" Power Creep
There's one card in the Pokemon Black and White set that everyone forgets until they see the price tag. Pikachu #115.
It’s the only card in the set that isn't from Unova. It was a "Secret Rare," meaning its number went higher than the set's actual limit. It’s basically a reprint of the original Base Set Pikachu but with updated HP and a higher rarity. A PSA 10 of this mouse is currently hovering around $1,200.
But the set wasn't just for collectors. It broke the competitive meta.
- Professor Juniper became the "draw 7" staple that defined a decade.
- Pokémon Communication made deck searching way too easy.
- Emboar #20 had the "Inferno Fandango" ability, letting you attach as many Fire energies as you wanted in one turn.
It was chaos. Fun chaos, but chaos nonetheless.
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The 2026 Resurgence: Black Bolt and White Flare
Fast forward to right now, January 2026. The Unova hype is back, and it’s arguably bigger than it was fifteen years ago.
The Pokémon Company recently launched the Black Bolt and White Flare special expansions. Think of these as the "spiritual successors" to the original 2011 set. They're doing the same thing—focusing purely on Unova Pokémon—but with the modern "Illustration Rare" treatment.
The big chase right now is the "Black White Rare" Zekrom ex and Reshiram ex. They use a monochrome foil style that looks exactly like the 2011 Full Arts but with a 2026 twist.
One thing you've gotta watch out for: these aren't sold in normal booster boxes. You have to find them in Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs) or those Poster Collections. Pull rates are sitting around 50% for an "hit" of some kind, but finding those specific monochrome dragons is proving to be a nightmare for most rippers.
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Spotting a Fake (And What to Buy Now)
Because the Pokemon Black and White set is so old now, the market is flooded with fakes. Honestly, if the texture on a Reshiram Full Art looks smooth or "flat," it’s a fake. The real ones have a very distinct, almost "gritty" feel to the holofoil.
If you're looking to get into this era without spending $5,000 on a sealed booster box, look for the Zekrom and Reshiram Tin reprints or even the "Celebrations" versions from a few years back. They look similar but cost a fraction of the price.
What you should do next:
- Check your old binders for any card with a number like 113/114 or 115/114. Even in played condition, these are "gold" in the current market.
- If you're buying 2026's Black Bolt or White Flare, prioritize the Binder Collections. They’re currently the best value per pack according to TCGPlayer market data.
- Avoid "unweighed" loose packs on eBay. At this age, almost every loose pack from 2011 has been weighed to see if it contains a heavy Full Art card. Only buy sealed blisters or boxes from reputable sellers.