On 7th May 2025 at 5:45 PM (BST), Pokémon Center UK launched two stunning new exclusive ETBs — Black Bolt ⚡ and White Flare 🔥 — each featuring a special Pokémon Center stamp and a powerful Legendary promo card.
And for the first time in a long time, fans actually had a fair shot at grabbing them!
🔥 White Flare ETB – Featuring Tornadus
The White Flare Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box includes:
- 🌀 A stamped Tornadus promo card
- 11 Scarlet & Violet—Black Flame booster packs
- Exclusive White Flare-themed sleeves, dividers, dice & more
- A collector’s box designed with fiery visuals and sleek design
Tornadus takes center stage in this high-energy ETB, making it a top pick for collectors and Tornadus fans alike.
⚡ Black Bolt ETB – Featuring Thundurus
Inside the Black Bolt Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box, you'll find:
- ⚡ A stamped Thundurus promo card
- 11 Scarlet & Violet—Black Flame booster packs
- Unique Black Bolt-themed accessories and storage
- Powerful visual design and elite-quality extras
Both ETBs continue Pokémon Center’s tradition of premium releases, with exclusive promos you won’t find in regular retail boxes.
🛡️ A Smoother Launch Than Ever Before
If you’ve tried your luck in previous Pokémon Center drops, you probably know how brutal they can be. Bot-heavy traffic, crashed servers, and split-second sellouts have been the norm — but this launch was different.
What Went Right ✅
- Improved bot protection — Real fans actually had a chance to check out before resellers swarmed the site.
- Increased stock — A noticeably bigger drop meant items stayed available longer.
- Massive demand handled well — At its peak over 4.5 million people in the online queue (shared across the UK, US, and Canada).
- Stock stayed live for nearly 11 hours, finally selling out at 4:30 AM (BST) on 8th May.
While queues were still long, the site remained stable, responsive, and didn’t crash under the pressure.
💬 Community Reactions
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Many collectors are praising the improved fairness and accessibility of this release. With stamped promos like Tornadus and Thundurus, unique artwork, and exclusive packaging, these ETBs are already becoming standouts in the Scarlet & Violet product line.
Let’s hope Pokémon Center keeps this momentum going! 🙌
Did you manage to secure one? Drop us a comment on Instagram or below 🎉
