OMG! Serperior ex Drama in TCG Unova Sets - Why I'm Lowkey Salty 🐍
The Pokémon TCG's upcoming Unova sets, *Black Bolt* and *White Flare*, spark excitement and frustration over starter favoritism, especially for Serperior.
Just caught the latest reveal from the Pokémon TCG world and I'm honestly feeling some type of way about it! The Japanese Unova sets Black Bolt and White Flare are coming in 2025, and they've finally shown the first cards at Japan's Champions League tournament. But y'all, the tea is HOT and not in a good way! 🫖
These new sets are focusing on Gen 5 Pokémon (think Unova region from Black & White games), similar to how the Scarlet & Violet - 151 set worked for Kanto. Super exciting, right? Well... yes and no. The reveal showed our beloved starter trios - Oshawott, Snivy, and Tepig with their evolution lines, but here's where things get messy AF.
The Serperior Situation 🐍
Serperior (Snivy's final evolution) is ONCE AGAIN getting the ex treatment while the other starters are left in the dust. I'm literally screaming into my pillow rn! 😤 This snek has been hogging the spotlight for YEARS. Since 2016, Serperior hasn't even had a regular card - it's been nothing but special treatments (ex, V, VSTAR cards).
Meanwhile, poor Emboar (Tepig's final form) has only had ONE ex card in its entire existence, and Samurott (my boy Oshawott's evolution) has NEVER received an ex version! Like, what's the deal? Playing favorites much??
As one TCG community member put it, this situation is super "irksome" - and that's putting it mildly. Another player was straight-up FUMING: "That Serperior fills me with genuine rage because it's been 9 years since we've gotten a NORMAL Serperior card."
I feel that in my soul. The favoritism is real, and I'm not here for it. 🙄
Release Dates & What to Expect 📆
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Japan release: June 6, 2025
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Western release: July 18, 2025
The Japanese version will include all 156 Unova Pokémon split between the two sets, plus some special 35-card packs with guaranteed Illustration Rares (no word if we'll get these in the West, fingers crossed!).
For us English-speaking folks, we'll get:
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Two Elite Trainer Boxes (featuring either Reshiram or Zekrom)
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Binder Collection versions
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A collection of posters
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Eight Mini Tins
The whole collection vibe reminds me of the Prismatic Evolution lineup from earlier this year, but hopefully without the nightmare supply issues that had me hunting cards like I was on some kind of Pokémon Safari. That was a whole mess I don't want to relive!
My Honest Thoughts 💭
I've been collecting since I was a kid, and the TCG has always had its ups and downs. But this Serperior situation just feels like a slap in the face to fans of the other starters. Like, read the room, Pokémon Company!
Don't get me wrong - I'll still be lining up to get my hands on these sets (because I'm a sucker like that), but I'm keeping my expectations in check. The Unova era deserves better representation than just giving Serperior the spotlight for the umpteenth time.
What do y'all think? Are you also tired of Serperior getting all the love? Or am I just being dramatic? Drop your thoughts below! And if anyone has insider info on whether Samurott or Emboar might get some love in future reveals, spill the tea! 👀
P.S. If you're as hyped (or salty) as I am about these sets, keep your eyes peeled for more news. The Pokémon Company should be dropping more details about the English version any day now. Let's just hope they've been listening to the fans this time around!