Pokemon TCG Rushes to Print More Due to Prismatic Evolutions Shortage

The Pokémon Company is tackling the stock shortage of the Pokémon Trading Card Game's (TCG) latest expansion, Scarlet & Violet—Prismatic Evolutions. Dive into the details to understand the reasons behind the shortage and how the TCG plans to resolve it.

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."

While fans may need to wait a bit longer to secure their copies of this latest set, it's reassuring to know that The Pokémon Company is diligently working to replenish its stock to meet the demand.

Demand for Pokémon TCG’s Prismatic Evolutions Affects Local US Stores

The shortage of the Prismatic Evolutions expansion was first noted on the Pokémon TCG fan website, PokeBeach, on January 4, 2025.

According to the report, local Pokémon stores across the US are grappling with the shortage 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, the owner of Player 1 Services, one of the largest Pokémon stores in Maryland, USA.

With numerous stores placing orders, distributors have limited the supplies by "10% to 15%" for local retailers. Consequently, local Pokémon stores are feeling the impact of the shortage as retail allocations are thinly spread "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 a larger share.

The shortage may also lead to price spikes for certain editions of the Prismatic Evolutions set. According to the report, the yet-to-be-released Elite Trainer Box is already being sold on secondary markets for $127 USD (the retail price is $55). However, once The Pokémon Company increases the stock for the TCG's newest expansion, scalpers might lower their prices or refrain from hoarding Prismatic Evolutions and its various editions.

Scarlet & Violet—Prismatic Evolutions’ 2024 Announcement

On November 1, 2024, The Pokémon Company announced the latest expansion for the Pokémon TCG, Scarlet & Violet—Prismatic Evolutions, set to launch on January 17, 2025. The set includes Tera Pokémon ex, new special illustration rare cards, ultra rare Supporter cards, and more.

On January 7, 2025, the company further revealed that the set features "all sorts of exciting new cards along with reprints of popular cards from recent expansions that feature all-new artwork." Highlights 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 features Eevee and its eight evolutions, "all appearing as a Stellar Tera Pokémon ex." Additionally, two more editions (Booster Bundle and Pouch Special Collection) are scheduled for release on March 7 and April 25, 2025, respectively.

One day before its official release, fans can experience the set in Pokémon TCG Live for iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows devices on January 16, 2025. For those eager to get a taste of the latest set and update their decks, trying it out on TCG Live first is a great option.