Scalpers used bots to buy out 42,000 sets of the new Phantasmal Flames TCG expansion.
The ongoing battle between passionate collectors and predatory scalpers has reached a new and concerning level of escalation. Before the upcoming Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion, Phantasmal Flames, was even available to the public, a group of resellers reportedly managed to buy out over 42,000 sets from the official Pokémon Center website. This brazen act highlights the growing desperation of fans and the persistent vulnerability of official retail channels in the face of sophisticated bot networks.
The Phantasmal Flames expansion, a new Mega Evolution-centric set, was officially revealed with a Western release date of November 14, 2025. It promises to introduce fan-favorite Pokémon like Mega Charizard X and Mega Gengar ex. However, hours before the scheduled public sale, a group known as the "Hidden Society," operating on a private Discord server, bragged about their success in a coordinated effort to bypass the Pokémon Center's online safeguards. They allegedly exploited a security flaw that allowed them to purchase products that had been pre-loaded onto the site for the upcoming drop.
Screenshots from the private group show members boasting of their massive haul, celebrating what one user, "robyewest," declared to be "OUR holiday season." The language used by the group reveals a stark disregard for the community they are profiting from. This mentality, where the frustration of genuine collectors is seen as a sign of success, underscores the apathetic and opportunistic nature of the scalping phenomenon.
The immediate aftermath has been chaotic, with conflicting reports about the fate of these orders. While some sources claim that cancellations have already begun to circulate, it remains unclear if the Pokémon Company will be able to void all 42,000 purchases. The situation is a public relations nightmare for the company, as it puts a spotlight on their long-standing struggles with bot-related issues. The Pokémon Company has previously attempted to combat this problem with measures like virtual queue systems and purchase limits, but these efforts have proven largely ineffective against determined resellers.
This is not the first time the Pokémon TCG community has been brought to its knees by scalpers. Earlier this year, the release of the incredibly popular Prismatic Evolutions set led to mass shortages, causing a frenzy that culminated in fights breaking out in retail stores. That event, much like this latest one, left many fans feeling disenfranchised and disillusioned with a hobby that was once a source of simple joy. Long-time collectors lament that the fun of opening packs and the thrill of the hunt have been replaced by a stressful, competitive, and often frustrating experience.
For many, the core of the problem lies with the scalpers themselves, who are using bots to create artificial scarcity, driving up prices, and forcing genuine fans to either go without or pay exorbitant aftermarket prices. While some call for The Pokémon Company to take more drastic measures, such as a lottery system for exclusive products or stricter authentication protocols, others argue that the ultimate power lies with the consumer. As long as scalpers can turn a profit, they will continue their disruptive behavior. The best, albeit difficult, solution for the community is to collectively refuse to buy from resellers, thereby devaluing their stockpiles and making the practice unprofitable.