A Bold New Chapter
Black & White launched a fresh era with Generation V Unova Pokemon, the debut of full-art cards, and a streamlined design that modernized the TCG.
Difficulty
Avg Card Value
$2
Top Card
Full Art Reshiram
$300+
Rarity Tier
Moderate
Overview
Black & White, released April 25, 2011, launched the BW era with 115 cards featuring Generation V Unova Pokemon exclusively. It introduced full-art cards to the TCG for the first time — textured ultra rares that span the entire card face. The set also debuted the modern card template and removed LV.X and Prime mechanics in favor of a streamlined approach.
Most Valuable Cards
Full Art Reshiram (#113) and Full Art Zekrom (#114) are the marquee chase cards and the first full-art Pokemon cards ever printed. Full Art Pikachu (#115, secret rare) is exceptionally rare and valuable. Regular holo Reshiram and Zekrom are iconic. Emboar (ability variant) was a competitive staple.
Cards from Black & White
Completion Tips
Black & White has 115 cards including full-art cards numbered at the end. The 3 full-art cards are the premium pulls. The all-Unova Pokemon roster means this set is a complete Generation V snapshot. Common and uncommon cards are very affordable — target the full-art trio last.
How to Complete This Set
- 1 Scan Black & White cards to identify full-art variants
- 2 Look for the BW set symbol on the bottom right
- 3 Prioritize full-art EX cards — they set the template for modern chase cards
- 4 Track your collection progress across the 114-card set
Scan with Pokex
Pokex identifies the new BW-era card design and distinguishes full-art textures from regular holos. The scanner helps verify the authenticity of full-art Reshiram, Zekrom, and the rare Pikachu, which can be targets for counterfeiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1 What are full-art cards in Black & White?
Full-art cards are ultra rare cards where the Pokemon artwork extends across the entire card surface with a special textured holographic treatment. Black & White introduced this rarity with full-art Reshiram, Zekrom, and Pikachu.
Q2 What is the most valuable Black & White base set card?
Full Art Pikachu (#115) is the most valuable as a secret rare. Near-mint copies sell for $80–$200. Full Art Reshiram and Zekrom are also premium cards at $30–$80 each in near-mint condition.
Q3 Does Black & White only have Unova Pokemon?
Yes, the Black & White base set exclusively features Generation V Pokemon from the Unova region. This all-new approach mirrored the video games' design philosophy of starting completely fresh with a new Pokedex.
Q4 How is the Black & White era different from Diamond & Pearl?
The BW era removed LV.X, Prime, and LEGEND mechanics, introducing full-art cards and Ability (replacing Poke-Power/Poke-Body). The card design was modernized with a cleaner layout and standardized format.
Related Sets
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