The Pokémon Company is taking swift action to address the stock shortage of the latest Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) expansion, Scarlet & Violet—Prismatic Evolutions. Dive into the details to understand the causes of the shortage and the measures being implemented to resolve the issue.
Pokémon’s Latest Expansion Shortage Due to High Demand
The Pokémon Company is actively addressing the shortage of the Pokémon TCG's latest set, Prismatic Evolutions, as reported by IGN on January 16, 2025.
"We’re aware that some fans may experience difficulties purchasing certain Pokémon Trading Card Game: Scarlet & Violet—Prismatic Evolutions products at launch due to high demand impacting availability," a spokesperson from the Pokémon Company stated. "We understand this inconvenience can be disappointing for fans, and we are actively working to print more of the impacted Pokémon TCG products as quickly as possible and at maximum capacity to address this."
Although fans may need to wait a bit longer to get their hands on this latest set, it's comforting to know that The Pokémon Company is diligently working to bring stock levels back to optimal.
Demand for Pokémon TCG’s Prismatic Evolutions Impacts Local US Stores
The shortage of the Prismatic Evolutions expansion was first highlighted on the Pokémon TCG fan website, PokeBeach, on January 4, 2025.
According to the report, local Pokémon stores in the US are facing shortages due to the unexpected demand for this product. "I think a large part of the issue is that stores who do not normally order Pokémon are requesting to buy this set from distributors," said Deguire, owner of Player 1 Services, one of the largest Pokémon stores in Maryland, USA.
With numerous stores placing orders for the set, distributors have limited supplies by "10% to 15%" for local retailers. As a result, local Pokémon stores are feeling the pinch of the shortage, as retail allocations are spread thinly "to give the product to as many stores as possible to retain as many accounts as possible," while major retailers like GameStop and Target receive larger shares.
This shortage may also lead to price spikes on certain editions of the Prismatic Evolutions set. The report notes that the yet-to-be-released Elite Trainer Box is already being sold at secondary markets for $127 USD, well above its $55 retail price. However, scalpers may lower their prices or even stop hoarding Prismatic Evolutions and its various editions once The Pokémon Company increases stock levels for TCG’s newest expansion.
Scarlet & Violet—Prismatic Evolutions’ 2024 Announcement
On November 1, 2024, The Pokémon Company announced the latest expansion of Pokémon TCG, Scarlet & Violet—Prismatic Evolutions, set to launch on January 17, 2025. The set features Tera Pokémon ex, new special illustration rare cards, ultra rare Supporter cards, and more.
On January 7, 2025, the company further disclosed that the set includes "all sorts of exciting new cards along with reprints of popular cards from recent expansions that feature all-new artwork." Notable additions include Teal Mask Ogerpon ex, illustrated by Yukihiro Tada, and Roaring Moon ex by Shinji Kanda.
The Pokémon TCG is also set to release other editions of Prismatic Evolutions on February 7, 2025, including the Surprise Box and Mini Tin. The lineup showcases Eevee and its eight evolutions, "all appearing as a Stellar Tera Pokémon ex." Additionally, two more editions, the Booster Bundle and Pouch Special Collection, are scheduled for release on March 7 and April 25, 2025, respectively.
Fans can get a sneak peek at the set and test it out in Pokémon TCG Live for iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows devices starting January 16, 2025, one day before its official release. Trying out the set in TCG Live could be a great way to familiarize yourself with the new cards and update your decks before the official launch.
