Pokemon TCG Rushes to Print More Due to Prismatic Evolutions Shortage

The Pokemon Company is actively addressing the stock shortage of the latest Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) expansion, Scarlet & Violet—Prismatic Evolutions. This article delves into the causes of the shortage and outlines the steps being taken to resolve the issue.

Pokemon's Latest Expansion Shortage Due to High Demand

The Pokemon Company is taking swift action to address the shortage of the Pokemon 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 Pokemon 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 acquire this latest set, it's reassuring to know that The Pokemon Company is committed to increasing stock levels to meet the demand.

Demand for Pokemon TCG’s Prismatic Evolutions Hurts Local US Stores

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

Local Pokemon stores across the US are feeling the impact due to the unexpectedly high demand for the product. "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," explained Deguire, owner of Player 1 Services, one of the largest Pokemon stores in Maryland, USA.

With many stores ordering the set, distributors have limited supplies by "10% to 15%" for local retailers. Consequently, local Pokemon stores are hit hardest as retail allocations are spread thinly "to give the product to as many stores as possible to retain as many accounts as possible," while larger retailers like GameStop and Target receive a larger share.

This shortage may lead to price spikes on 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, far above its $55 retail price. However, once The Pokemon Company increases production, scalpers may lower their prices or cease hoarding the various editions of Prismatic Evolutions.

Scarlet & Violet—Prismatic Evolutions’ 2024 Announcement

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

On January 7, 2025, the company further revealed 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.

Additional editions of Prismatic Evolutions, including 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. Further releases include the Booster Bundle and Pouch Special Collection, scheduled for March 7 and April 25, 2025, respectively.

One day before its official release, fans can experience the set in Pokemon TCG Live, available on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows devices, starting January 16, 2025. This early access provides an excellent opportunity for fans to get a feel for the latest set and update their decks before the physical release.