The launch of Phantasmal Flames, the next blistering set in the **Mega Evolution expansion**, has been anything but smooth for Pokémon Center—and fans are feeling the heat. Centring around massive fan-favourite Pokémon like **Charizard** and **Gengar**, the set has sparked a level of demand rivalling **January's Prismatic Evolutions** launch. However, instead of a smooth rollout, the Pokémon Center website has become the epicentre of a bot-driven storm, frustrating fans and creating an unprecedented virtual queue.
Pre-orders for the **Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box (ETB)**—which features exclusive stamped promos—were supposed to go live on **September 2**. Instead, a reselling group managed to jump the line using **automated bots and backend tools**—likely exploiting APIs and other loopholes before the ETB even became visible to the public.
The result? A security nightmare. Pokémon Center pulled the plug, **cancelled all pre-orders** made through these unauthorised means, and focused on patching the vulnerabilities. This blackout period lasted almost a whole week as they worked behind the scenes to fix the breach.
When the site finally stirred again on **September 8**, the Pokémon Center activated the **Imperva queue system**—a security-focused virtual waiting room designed to prevent another bot attack. And the floodgates opened.
• Within **30 minutes**, **2 million** people were in line.
• Within an hour, that number swelled to over **5.5 million**.
That number alone speaks volumes about how **hotly anticipated** Phantasmal Flames is. Fans hoped this meant an actual drop was finally happening. But hope quickly turned to confusion and then frustration.
Soon, chatter emerged that the queue might not have been for a product drop at all—but rather a "**live test**" by Pokémon Center to gauge the effectiveness of their newly patched security.
The queue dragged on for nearly **4 hours**. For those who spent the afternoon glued to their phones or browser tabs, this rumour hit hard. No ETB drop. No booster boxes. No bundles. Just waiting, refreshing, and disappointment.
As of **September 9**, the **Phantasmal Flames Pokémon Center ETB** remains unreleased. It's now expected to drop **any day this week**, possibly even today. Alongside the ETB, the **Booster Box** and **Booster Bundle** are also likely to go live.
If you're trying to secure one, you'll need more than luck. Here's what you can do:
Join the [Stock Checker Discord server](https://discord.gg/stockchecker). There, you can:
• Grab the **'Pokémon Center' alert role** to get instant notifications when the product goes live.
• Discuss the situation with other fans and share your tips.
• Stay ahead of restocks, drops, and security updates.
Phantasmal Flames is shaping up to be one of the most in-demand Pokémon TCG sets of the year—and the **Pokémon Center exclusive ETB** is the crown jewel. With the **bot debacle**, the **record-breaking virtual queue**, and **uncertain drop timing**, it's a perfect storm of hype, frustration, and anticipation.
The next few days are critical. If you're aiming to grab one, **stay alert, stay connected, and be ready**. This is the kind of drop where seconds matter—and millions are watching.
What Happened on September 2? Bots Beat Everyone to It
Pre-orders for the **Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box (ETB)**—which features exclusive stamped promos—were supposed to go live on **September 2**. Instead, a reselling group managed to jump the line using **automated bots and backend tools**—likely exploiting APIs and other loopholes before the ETB even became visible to the public.
The result? A security nightmare. Pokémon Center pulled the plug, **cancelled all pre-orders** made through these unauthorised means, and focused on patching the vulnerabilities. This blackout period lasted almost a whole week as they worked behind the scenes to fix the breach.
September 8: Millions Flood the Queue
When the site finally stirred again on **September 8**, the Pokémon Center activated the **Imperva queue system**—a security-focused virtual waiting room designed to prevent another bot attack. And the floodgates opened.
• Within **30 minutes**, **2 million** people were in line.
• Within an hour, that number swelled to over **5.5 million**.
That number alone speaks volumes about how **hotly anticipated** Phantasmal Flames is. Fans hoped this meant an actual drop was finally happening. But hope quickly turned to confusion and then frustration.
Was It Even Real? Rumours of a "Live Test"
Soon, chatter emerged that the queue might not have been for a product drop at all—but rather a "**live test**" by Pokémon Center to gauge the effectiveness of their newly patched security.
The queue dragged on for nearly **4 hours**. For those who spent the afternoon glued to their phones or browser tabs, this rumour hit hard. No ETB drop. No booster boxes. No bundles. Just waiting, refreshing, and disappointment.
So... When Will It Actually Drop?
As of **September 9**, the **Phantasmal Flames Pokémon Center ETB** remains unreleased. It's now expected to drop **any day this week**, possibly even today. Alongside the ETB, the **Booster Box** and **Booster Bundle** are also likely to go live.
If you're trying to secure one, you'll need more than luck. Here's what you can do:
Get Notified the Second It Drops
Join the [Stock Checker Discord server](https://discord.gg/stockchecker). There, you can:
• Grab the **'Pokémon Center' alert role** to get instant notifications when the product goes live.
• Discuss the situation with other fans and share your tips.
• Stay ahead of restocks, drops, and security updates.
Bottom Line
Phantasmal Flames is shaping up to be one of the most in-demand Pokémon TCG sets of the year—and the **Pokémon Center exclusive ETB** is the crown jewel. With the **bot debacle**, the **record-breaking virtual queue**, and **uncertain drop timing**, it's a perfect storm of hype, frustration, and anticipation.
The next few days are critical. If you're aiming to grab one, **stay alert, stay connected, and be ready**. This is the kind of drop where seconds matter—and millions are watching.