Black Bolt & White Flare shook up thePokemon TCG’sstatus quo, breaking the usual Special Illustration Rare and Illustration Rare quotas by giving one to every Pokemon from Unova. While it’s nice to see every Pokemon getting love instead of justthe most valuable Unovan Pokemon,the sheer number of choices can be overwhelming.
Several Illustration Rares are commanding hefty prices,but there are still dozens of bright illustrations featuring Pokemon in unusual scenarios that perfectly reflect their unique personalities. To qualify as underrated, we considered all Illustration Rares that were outside the ten most valuable onTCGplayer, but given their beauty, these cards might get more love soon enough.
Card values are subject to change, and these cards might not remain as hidden gems for long.
8Snivy – Black Bolt
Green With Envy
Snivy sits among the brightest cards in either set, with various shades of green and a daytime scene of it enjoying a colorful field of flowers. From the Pokemon’s bright green color palette to the selection of bushes dotted with various pastel-colored flowers, this card captivates the audience by stimulating the senses.
Whether it’s Snivy’s look of superiority or the superbly detailed background that draws you to this card, it’s easily one of the standout stars of the show despite a relatively affordable price tag.
7Lillipup – White Flare
Let’s Go For A Walk
If you’re familiar with theEevee Illustration Rare from Twilight Masquerade,then this card will give you a familiar vibe. Lillipup’s at-home artwork strikes a familiar balance reminiscent of that Eevee, between the colors used and the slice-of-life scene.
Lillipup isn’t anywhere close to Eevee’s popularity, so it’s not surprising to see this card meandering among the pack of other Illustration Rares, but it deserves plenty of love. Lillipup’s excitement for a walk is clear, and its energetic personality is perfectly reflected via the hat in its mouth, as the Pokemon looks to its trainer to plead its case.
6Dwebble – Black Bolt
When I See My Reflection In The Bottle On Shore
Dwebble is probably the last Pokemon you would expect to find on any list regarding Black Bolt or White Flare, but this artwork is as adorable as it is eye-catching. The bright colors and lighting play a role in this card’s visual appeal, but the content of the scene is even more adorable.
Dwebble’s innocent eyes reflected in the empty glass bottle are enough to melt even the coldest heart, while the beach scene in the background injects some positive vibes. The pail and boat in the background indicate that there are some trainers nearby enjoying a wonderful day at the beach.
5Conkeldurr – Black Bolt
Working In The City
Conkeldurr barely qualified as underrated, as it sat just outside the top 12 Illustration Rares at the time of writing, and is likely to gain attention as one of the most detailed artworks. With a solid valuation and plenty of nuances to enjoy, this card isa great candidate to be graded, both as a way of preserving the condition and increasing the card’s value.
Whether you’re a fan of Conkeldurr and Gurdurr’s appearances or you prefer to get lost in the details of the city in the background, this card beautifully reflects the Unovan Pokemon and setting.
4Zorua – White Flare
The Best Moon Option
Zorua returns in White Flare’s English set, as this evening scene also earned a spot amongthe most underrated cards in the Japanese White Flare set.Any card with a sun or moon in the background is destined to stand out thanks to its brightness, but only incredibly clean, detailed artwork like this Zorua’s gains consistent attention.
If you’re a fan of Moonbreon cards, then this Zorua is an excellent choice for you, as it captures the same essence that those Umbreon cards do, but with a cute little Zorua taking the spotlight.
3Zweilous – White Flare
Rising Above Expectations
Zweilous never gets much love, especially compared to its evolved form, Hydreigon, which appears in multiple Scarlet & Violet era sets. If we removed the Pokemon and just showed you the background, you’d probably think that this card was meant to feature a fully-evolved Pokemon, based on its gorgeous grassy podium in the center of some water.
The colorful leaves along the trees provide the perfect border to accentuate Zweilous' color palette and focus attention in the center of the frame. If you love Zweilous, this card might be the best depiction of the Pokemon you’ll ever see, so don’t miss it.
2Swoobat – White Flare
Love Is In The Flare
While it’s not exactly Latias & Latios GX levels of romance, this moment depicts two Swoobat linked in their love dance by a bright pink connection. You can just make out the outlines of hearts in the center, though the sound waves distort their shapes a bit, but the impact is still there.
Even though Swoobat and most other bat Pokemon are typically disregarded, this artwork ushers in a new era of possibilities. Plus, this is a cute idea for a gift to your significant other or a crush. What better way to say ‘This could be us’ than a card of two bats shooting heart-shaped sound waves at each other?
1Simisage – Black Bolt
A Trippy Walk
Every Illustration Rare in Black Bolt and White Flare has something that might appeal to various audiences, but Simisage makes a huge statement with this unique artwork that combines some of the best features from other IRs into one incredibly detailed moment.
From the bright sunset in the background to the flower-lined path to Simisage’s casual thumbs up, this card is the gift that keeps on giving. Even if you prefer a more muted style, this card will blow you away with its sheer attention to detail and vibrant color palette.
