2011–2013

Black & White era Pokémon cards

15 English sets and 1,459 cards, from BW Black Star Promos (Mar 1, 2011) to Legendary Treasures (Nov 6, 2013). The era opens with BW Black Star Promos and closes with Legendary Treasures. Its most valuable card is Rayquaza 128/124 from Dragons Exalted, at $1,800. Kyurem appears on more of its cards than any other Pokémon (24). It comes after the HeartGold & SoulSilver era and before the XY era. See every era in order.

Rayquaza 128/124, Dragons Exalted — Rayquaza$1,800PSA 10 $99,586

Sets: 15; 2011–2013
Cards: 1,459
Most valuable card: $1,800; Rayquaza
Most valuable set: $6,066; BW Black Star Promos
Most-featured Pokémon: Kyurem; 24 cards

What defined the era

Black & White ran from 2011 to Legendary Treasures in late 2013 and brought back Pokémon-EX, now with full-art versions, which set the template for every chase rarity since. It also introduced the gold secret rares, the Ace Spec trainers and, in Plasma Storm, the first secret-rare reprints of Charizard and the legendaries: Lugia-EX and Charizard from that set lead the era, with Rayquaza from Dragons Exalted and the gold Ultra Ball from Plasma Freeze behind them. Legendary Treasures added the Radiant Collection subset. Prices are lower than Sun & Moon or Sword & Shield for most cards, but the full-art EX and secret rares were pulled at low rates and have climbed as the era passed its tenth anniversary.

Black & White

Most valuable cards of the era

Top 24, ungraded price

Newest first

Black & White sets

15 sets, newest first

Legendary Treasures
November 2013 · 140 cards
Set value $2,209
Reshiram $345
Chase cards
Plasma Blast
August 2013 · 105 cards
Set value $2,719
Dialga-EX $740
Chase cards
Plasma Freeze
May 2013 · 122 cards
Set value $5,189
Ultra Ball $850
Chase cards
Plasma Storm
February 2013 · 138 cards
Set value $4,769
Charizard $1,651
Chase cards
Boundaries Crossed
November 2012 · 153 cards
Set value $2,641
Black Kyurem-EX $456
Chase cards
Dragon Vault
October 2012 · 21 cards
Set value $354
Rayquaza $89.40
Chase cards
Dragons Exalted
August 2012 · 128 cards
Set value $4,296
Rayquaza $1,800
Chase cards
McDMcDonald's Collection 2012
June 2012 · 12 cards
Set value $107
Scraggy $19.99
Dark Explorers
May 2012 · 111 cards
Set value $3,664
Gardevoir $700
Chase cards
Next Destinies
February 2012 · 103 cards
Set value $2,258
Zoroark $364
Chase cards
Noble Victories
November 2011 · 102 cards
Set value $825
Victini $225
Chase cards
Emerging Powers
August 2011 · 98 cards
Set value $150
Thundurus $27.50
Chase cards
McDMcDonald's Collection 2011
June 2011 · 12 cards
Set value $64.28
Zorua $9.04
Black & White
April 2011 · 115 cards
Set value $538
Pikachu $170
Chase cards
BW Black Star Promos
March 2011 · 99 cards
Set value $6,066
Eevee $551

Set value is one copy of every card at today’s ungraded prices, shown for sets with prices for at least 90% of their cards.

Most cards this era

Pokémon of the era

Common questions

How many sets are in the Black & White era?

15 English sets and 1,459 cards, from BW Black Star Promos (Mar 1, 2011) to Legendary Treasures (Nov 6, 2013).

What is the most valuable Black & White era card?

Rayquaza 128/124 from Dragons Exalted, at about $1,800 ungraded.

When did the Black & White era start and end?

The first English Black & White set, BW Black Star Promos, was released on Mar 1, 2011. The last in the catalogue is Legendary Treasures, released on Nov 6, 2013. The XY era follows it.

Which Black & White era set is worth the most?

BW Black Star Promos, at about $6,066 for one of every card at today’s ungraded prices. Only sets with prices for 90% or more of their cards are compared.