What is the Black & White era of Pokémon TCG?

The Black & White era of the Pokémon TCG covers 13 expansions released between 2011 and 2013, totalling 1,437 tracked cards on Chase Season.

Mechanically the era introduced Pokémon-EX (reboot) and Full Art Trainers, which reset both gameplay and the chase-card meta.

It follows the HeartGold & SoulSilver era and precedes the XY era — sitting in the middle of the modern TCG timeline.

The top chase across the era is Charizard from Plasma Storm at $1,150.00, and 13 sets in the era have at least one tracked card with live market pricing.

How does the Black & White era compare?

Compared to the HeartGold & SoulSilver era it represents the next chapter of the Pokémon TCG, with a fresh chase-card meta and updated card frame design. It is succeeded by the XY era, which builds on the same mechanics with new variants and pulled-rate adjustments.

← PreviousHeartGold & SoulSilver

You are hereBlack & White2011 — 2013

Next →XY

05 · Reference desk

Frequently asked about the Black & White era

History, mechanics, top chases, and how this era fits in the wider Pokémon TCG timeline — answered with live data from Chase Season.

6 questions answered

Q.01

How many sets are in the Black & White era?

The Black & White era contains 13 expansions on Chase Season, with 1,437 tracked cards across the era.

Q.02

When did the Black & White era start and end?

The Black & White era runs from 2011 to 2013.

Q.03

What is the most valuable card in the Black & White era?

The top chase across the Black & White era is Charizard from Plasma Storm at $1,150.00 on the open market.

Q.04

What did the Black & White era introduce?

Mechanically, the Black & White era introduced Pokémon-EX (reboot) and Full Art Trainers.

Q.05

Which era came before Black & White?

The Black & White era is preceded by the HeartGold & SoulSilver era.

Q.06

Which era came after Black & White?

The Black & White era is followed by the XY era.

Chase Season / Era Dossier·№ XIII

Archive · era closed

Pokémon TCG · Era Overview

Black & Whiteera.

Q: What is the most valuable card in the Black & White era?

The top chase across the Black & White era is Charizard from Plasma Storm at $1,150.00 on the open market.

Q: Which era came before Black & White?

The Black & White era is preceded by the HeartGold & SoulSilver era.

Window2011 → 2013

The Black & White era spans 13 Pokémon TCG sets and 1,437 tracked cards, released between 2011 and 2013. It introduced Pokémon-EX (reboot) and Full Art Trainers. The top chase across the era is Charizard from Plasma Storm at $1,150.00 on the open market.

— Format reset. Reshiram, Zekrom, and the Plasma trilogy define the era.

Top chase cards↓Browse 13 sets

01 · Sets in era

parent expansions

02 · Cards tracked

1,437

live pricing

03 · Date range

2011 — 2013

complete

04 · Highest chase

$1.1k

cross-set top

05 · Avg top

$489

per set

What are the top chase cards across the Black & White era?

Pulled from every parent expansion in the era, ranked by live market price.

What is the Black & White era of Pokémon TCG?

The Black & White era of the Pokémon TCG covers 13 expansions released between 2011 and 2013, totalling 1,437 tracked cards on Chase Season.

Mechanically the era introduced Pokémon-EX (reboot) and Full Art Trainers, which reset both gameplay and the chase-card meta.

It follows the HeartGold & SoulSilver era and precedes the XY era — sitting in the middle of the modern TCG timeline.

The top chase across the era is Charizard from Plasma Storm at $1,150.00, and 13 sets in the era have at least one tracked card with live market pricing.

Which sets are in the Black & White era?

Every parent expansion tracked on Chase Season. Click a row to open the full card list, rarity breakdown, and live pricing.

How does the Black & White era compare?

← PreviousHeartGold & SoulSilver

You are hereBlack & White2011 — 2013

Next →XY

05 · Reference desk

Frequently asked about the Black & White era

History, mechanics, top chases, and how this era fits in the wider Pokémon TCG timeline — answered with live data from Chase Season.

6 questions answered

Q.01

How many sets are in the Black & White era?

The Black & White era contains 13 expansions on Chase Season, with 1,437 tracked cards across the era.

Q.02

When did the Black & White era start and end?

The Black & White era runs from 2011 to 2013.

Q.03

What is the most valuable card in the Black & White era?

The top chase across the Black & White era is Charizard from Plasma Storm at $1,150.00 on the open market.

Q.04

What did the Black & White era introduce?

Mechanically, the Black & White era introduced Pokémon-EX (reboot) and Full Art Trainers.

Q.05

Which era came before Black & White?

The Black & White era is preceded by the HeartGold & SoulSilver era.

Q.06

Which era came after Black & White?

The Black & White era is followed by the XY era.