Pokémon Trading Card Game has revealed the first of its Japanese Unova sets, Black Bolt and White Flare, and not everyone is thrilled about the Serperior ex. The sets, which were revealed in November, will be similar to the Scarlet & Violet - 151 set, but with a focus on generation-5 Pokémon.

Black Bolt and White Flare will bring Pokémon from the Black & White games into a new comprehensive TCG set, and the first cards have been revealed at Japan’s Champions League tournament, reports PokéBeach. The reveal provides a first glimpse at the evolutionary lines of the region's starters, Oshawott, Snivy, Tepig. Despite an overall positive reception, many fans are disappointed that Serperior is the only one of the starters to get an ex version.

Pokémon TCG's Latest Serperior Ex Is A Letdown For Fans

Fans Were Hoping The Other Starters Would Also Get Ex Versions

Serperior's newest ex card reveal was met by disappointment from many fans, who were hoping to see the other Unova final evolutions get the ex treatment instead. The last time Serperior had a regular card in the TCG was in the X & Y set from 2016, Fates Collide. Since then, there have been eight Serperior cards released, and each one has been a special type of card (an ex, V, or VSTAR card).

"That Serperior fills me with genuine rage."

By contrast, the final evolution Pokémon of the other starters haven't had many chances to shine as special cards. Tepig's final evolution, Embroar, has only had one ex card, while Oshawott's final evolution, Samurott, has never had an ex version despite getting several V and VSTAR entries into the TCG.

PokéBeach member The Binder Guy calls the fact that Serperior is the only Pokémon in the starter lines to get an ex card "irksome," while christopher.elric has a more intense response, writing: "That Serperior fills me with genuine rage because it's been 9 years since we've gotten a NORMAL Serperior card."

When Will Pokémon TCG Black Bolt & White Flare Sets Come Out?

The Set's Cards Will Launch In Japan First

Like most Pokémon TCG sets, Black Bolt and White Flare will be released in Japan first, on June 6. The two sets will include all 156 Unova Pokémon, and besides the regular booster packs, they'll have special 35-card packs that will include a guaranteed Illustration Rare—though it's unknown for now if this option will also come to the West.

English versions of the sets will be released on July 18th as a special set, though it hasn't received an official name reveal yet. According to PokéBeach, the sets will arrive in the West with two Elite Trainer Boxes and Binder Collection versions featuring either Reshiram or Zekrom, a collection of posters, and eight Mini Tins.

Although the collection will be similar to the Prismatic Evolution set lineup, the sets will hopefully not cause as much trouble as Prismatic, which resulted in widespread shortages. More information about the English version of these sets should be released shortly, so fans should keep an eye out for more Pokémon Trading Card Game news.

Source: PokéBeach (1, 2), The Binder Guy/PokéBeach, christopher.elric/PokéBeach