The Pokemon Center, Phantasmal Flames, and the Bot Problem

Greg Montique
4 minutes ago
2 min read

Recently, a surprising and concerning event unfolded on the Pokemon Center website. Rumors spread that over 42,000 Phantasmal Flames Pokemon TCG items were preordered, apparently by bots using automated checkout systems on the store’s backend before the official preorder launch.

What We Know

Scalper groups boasted via Discord that they managed to bypass the queue and checkout system to grab thousands of items.
Community chatter speculated that these purchases either got canceled by Pokemon Center or are still pending. Some say orders were voided, while others claimed only duplicates or invalid info triggered cancellations.
It appears that all orders that were placed have since been canceled

My Take

Why the Phantasmal Flames Incident is More Than Just Numbers

This incident highlights the widening gap between demand and supply in the Pokemon TCG market. With TPCI printing more cards over the past three years than at nearly any other time, you’d expect availability to improve, but clearly, scalability isn’t only about production.

Discord chat shows users discussing the purchase of 42,000 Phantasmal Flames items on Pokémon Center, with emphasis on checkout success.

A Test or a Trap?

There’s a wild theory floating around: some believe Pokemon Center intentionally let the bots through, as a honeypot to identify and ban them. This would explain how such a massive exploit was possible in the first place.

If true, it’s a clever approach, though risky and controversial.

Damage to Fans and the Hobby

Looking at Reddit reactions, frustration runs deep:

“Pokemon Center seems to be canceling those orders. Expect a drop either today, tomorrow, or Tuesday!”

But skepticism remains:

“They didn’t cancel any. That bot group spread the lie so people would stop harassing them.”

The trust between fans and The Pokemon Company feels strained. When bots hijack releases and casual players are left empty-handed, it puts a dent in what should be a joyful part of the hobby.

When Will the Scalping End?

The news of 42,000 bot preorders is more than just a staggering number, it’s a symptom of a larger issue. Scalpers have found ways to exploit weaknesses in the system, and it’s the everyday collectors and fans who end up paying the price.

If the honeypot theory is true, it may have been a clever way to catch the bots in action. But even so, fans are still left in the dark, and trust continues to erode. At the end of the day, this incident shows that Pokemon Center needs to take stronger steps to protect its community. Better systems, improved safeguards, and real transparency are the only way to restore confidence and keep the joy of collecting alive.