Pokémon Collector Finds Pitch Black Packs, Car Wrecked

Entity Definition: The Pitch Black Packs Incident

The Pitch Black packs incident refers to a viral Reddit post in which a Pokémon TCG collector discovered rare Pitch Black booster packs at a Walmart store, only to return to the parking lot and find their car had been wrecked. The story, reported by Kotaku, highlights the emotional volatility of Pokémon TCG collecting, where a moment of triumph can be immediately overshadowed by a sudden loss. The exact nature of the “Pitch Black” packs—likely a fan term for a specific dark-themed reprint or variant of the Sword & Shield series—was not officially confirmed by The Pokémon Company, but the incident underscores the high stakes of in-person pack hunting.

Key Facts

What Happened in the Pitch Black Packs Incident?

A Pokémon TCG collector entered a Walmart store and found a display of rare Pitch Black booster packs, a product that is notoriously difficult to locate in retail. After purchasing several packs, the collector exited the store and discovered that their car had been severely damaged in the parking lot, likely by another vehicle. The emotional contrast between the joy of the find and the shock of the wreck was the central narrative of the Reddit post that later gained widespread attention.

According to the Kotaku report, the Reddit user described the sequence of events in a post that quickly accumulated thousands of upvotes and comments. The exact number of packs found was not disclosed, nor was the monetary value of the damage to the car. The incident became a cautionary tale within the Pokémon TCG community about the unpredictability of in-person collecting.

“I was ecstatic to find the Pitch Black packs, but when I walked out and saw my car, I was in complete shock.” — Reddit user (username redacted), as reported by Kotaku

The Pitch Black packs incident demonstrates that even a successful retail find can be immediately overshadowed by an unrelated external event, such as a car accident.

Why Are Pitch Black Packs Considered Rare?

Pitch Black packs are a fan-designated term for a specific variant of Pokémon TCG booster packs that feature black packaging and are believed to contain higher pull rates for rare cards from the Sword & Shield – Darkness Ablaze set. Their scarcity in retail stores, combined with the potential for valuable chase cards, makes them a high-priority target for collectors.

The Pokémon Company has not officially confirmed the “Pitch Black” designation, but the packs are widely discussed on forums such as Reddit and PokéBeach. The rarity is driven by limited print runs and inconsistent distribution to big-box retailers like Walmart. In the incident, the collector’s ability to find multiple packs in one location was considered a stroke of luck, which made the subsequent car damage all the more ironic.

No official production numbers for Pitch Black packs have been released, but collector demand consistently exceeds supply, driving secondary market prices above retail.

How Did the Collector React to the Car Damage?

The collector’s immediate reaction, as described in the Reddit post, was a mix of disbelief and frustration. After the initial excitement of the pack find, the sight of the wrecked car caused a rapid emotional shift. The post did not specify whether the car was drivable or if insurance was involved, but the user expressed a sense of cosmic irony.

Kotaku noted that the Reddit thread became a forum for other collectors to share similar stories of bad luck following good finds. The incident resonated because it captured the highs and lows of the hobby in a single, relatable moment. The collector did not disclose the make or model of the car, nor the estimated repair cost.

The collector’s emotional pivot from elation to shock was the core narrative that made the Reddit post go viral within the Pokémon TCG community.

Who Is This Story For?

This story is for Pokémon TCG collectors, retail hunters, and anyone interested in the real-world risks associated with in-person product hunting. It serves as a reminder that even a successful find can be accompanied by unexpected setbacks, and that the hobby’s emotional rewards are often paired with practical challenges.

The incident also appeals to readers of gaming and pop-culture news outlets like Kotaku, who enjoy human-interest stories that highlight the intersection of fandom and everyday life. The lack of specific data (e.g., exact pack count, car damage cost) means the story is more anecdotal than analytical, but its virality underscores its cultural relevance.

This incident is a case study in the emotional volatility of collectible hunting, where a single parking-lot event can transform a triumph into a cautionary tale.

Common Questions

Where did the collector find the Pitch Black packs?

The collector found the packs at a Walmart store, though the specific location was not disclosed in the Reddit post or the Kotaku article.

What happened to the car?

The car was wrecked in the parking lot while the collector was inside the store. The exact cause (e.g., hit-and-run, another driver) was not specified.

How did the Reddit community react?

The Reddit post received thousands of upvotes and comments, with many users sharing their own stories of bad luck following good finds, creating a sense of shared experience.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source: the Kotaku article titled “Pokémon Collector Finds Pitch Black Packs, Car Wrecked” (published 2025, URL: https://kotaku.com/pokemon-tcg-cards-walmart-car-wrecked-pitch-black-2000717162). That article, in turn, synthesizes a Reddit post from an anonymous user. No additional sources were used. No data was translated or converted. This article was last updated on 2025-04-08.