Pokemon TCG Rushes to Print More Due to Prismatic Evolutions Shortage

The Pokemon Company has swiftly addressed the stock shortage of the latest Pokemon TCG expansion, Scarlet & Violet—Prismatic Evolutions. Here's a detailed look at the causes of the shortage and the steps being taken to resolve it.

High Demand Leads to Pokemon TCG's Latest Expansion Shortage

As reported by IGN on January 16, 2025, The Pokemon Company is tackling the shortage of the Pokemon Trading Card Game’s (TCG) latest set, Prismatic Evolutions.

A spokesperson from The Pokemon Company stated, "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. 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."

While fans may need to wait longer to acquire this eagerly awaited set, it's comforting to know that The Pokemon Company is diligently working to increase stock levels.

Local US Stores Feel the Impact of Prismatic Evolutions Demand

The shortage of the Prismatic Evolutions expansion was first highlighted by the Pokemon TCG fan website, PokeBeach, on January 4, 2025.

Deguire, the owner of Player 1 Services, one of Maryland's largest Pokemon stores, commented on the situation, saying, "I think a large part of the issue is that stores who do not normally order Pokemon are requesting to buy this set from distributors."

With many stores vying for the set, distributors reduced supplies by "10% to 15%" for local retailers. This has resulted in local Pokemon stores facing the brunt of the shortage, as retail allocations were spread thin "to give the product to as many stores as possible to retain as many accounts as possible," while larger retailers like GameStop and Target received a significant portion of the stock.

This shortage could lead to price spikes for certain editions of the Prismatic Evolutions set. For example, the yet-to-be-released Elite Trainer Box is already being sold on secondary markets for $127 USD, well above its $55 retail price. However, once The Pokemon Company increases the stock of TCG’s newest expansion, scalpers may reduce their prices or avoid hoarding altogether.

Announcement of Scarlet & Violet—Prismatic Evolutions in 2024

The Pokemon Company announced the latest expansion, Scarlet & Violet—Prismatic Evolutions, on November 1, 2024, with a planned launch on January 17, 2025. The set boasts Tera Pokemon ex, new special illustration rare cards, ultra rare Supporter cards, and more.

On January 7, 2025, additional details were revealed, including "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.

Further editions of Prismatic Evolutions, such as the Surprise Box and Mini Tin, are set to launch on February 7, 2025, featuring Eevee and its eight evolutions as Stellar Tera Pokemon ex. Additional releases include the Booster Bundle and Pouch Special Collection, scheduled for March 7 and April 25, 2025, respectively.

Fans can also experience the set in Pokemon TCG Live on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows devices starting January 16, 2025, one day before its official release. This provides an excellent opportunity for players to familiarize themselves with the new set and update their decks before the physical cards hit the shelves.