Sure, the earlier Pokémon games are the true classics, but something about Black & White's monochrome contrast had me in a chokehold when I was picking between the two versions on DS. When the Pokémon TCG's Black Bolt expansion came around last year, I found myself loving Zekrom's design so much that I was instantly hooked in the same way. If you're looking to grab some packs of this special set, this Pokémon Black Bolt binder collection gives you plenty to love, and it's cheaper than market price right now.
As a double-whammy compared to most Pokémon sets, Black Bolt and its sibling, White Flare are both what the Pokémon TCG calls 'special sets', meaning booster packs or booster boxes aren't part of the product line-up. That leaves ETBs and collection products as the main way to get some boosters from this expansion and, like most things related to this wonderful, overhyped card game, well, they're in high demand.
It's made more difficult by the fact that Black Bolt is full of excellent chases, ones that inevitably have become some of this year's priciest new entries (even if they're still leagues below the most expensive Pokémon cards of all time). The all-black Zekrom ex #172 is an incredibly gorgeous Black White rare that shines in simplicity, while the Victini #171 is an all-red jaw-dropper that has left plenty of people hoping to pull it. I'm not one of those people, but I can see the appeal.
Even if it's not the biggest chase financially, the Zekrom ex #166 SIR remains one of my favorite chases of the year. Showcasing the legendary Pokémon in all its glory, causing lightning strikes and dark clouds to bloom all around it, that gorgeous artwork instantly made me want it. That's why I'm still chasing it to this day, despite price hikes with third-party listings; at this point, I may as well have bought it.
However, you may be luckier than I, and if you're hoping to get your hands on some excellent cards, the Pokémon Black Bolt binder collection is just $39.97 at Walmart. That may be pricier than the retail cost, but it's actually a lot cheaper than the current market value - right now, it's at an average sale price of $47.22 at TCGPlayer, with many listings going above that. So, you may as well get it at a better price while you can.
If you love finding Pokémon TCG deals as much as me, even if those discounts are actually below market price, you should join our Wargamer Discord - that way, you can chat with like-minded trainers, and stay in the loop on the latest news about my favorite trading card game. Personally, I'm a little biased, but I think it's worth joining for the discounts alone.