Collectors reported hours long waits as alleged botting screenshots circulated showing orders that appeared to exceed posted purchase limits.
The Drop at a Glance
- What happened: Delta Reign preorders went live on Pokémon Center on September 30, with the Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box, Booster Display Box, and Booster Bundle drawing heavy demand before key products became unavailable.
- Key date: Mega Evolution—Delta Reign officially releases November 6, while Pokémon Center currently lists early November shipping for the three preorder products.
- Why it matters: The fast sellout triggered allegations that automated buyers allegedly secured quantities beyond reported purchase limits, but Pokémon has not confirmed how much product bots obtained or whether those orders will stand.
A Rough Pokémon Center Drop
Pokémon Center opened Delta Reign preorders on September 30. Official support now lists the Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box, a Booster Bundle containing six packs, and a Booster Display Box containing 36 packs for customers in the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom, with estimated shipping in early November. The expansion itself launches November 6.
“Waiting in line does not guarantee product availability, and some products may be out of stock or unavailable for purchase.”
Pokémon Center Support
Community listings reported purchase limits of two Elite Trainer Boxes, one Booster Bundle, and one Booster Display Box per customer. Restockd reported during the September 30 drop that the Elite Trainer Box and display had gone out of stock while the Booster Bundle remained available. TheGamer later reported widespread complaints that the products disappeared unusually quickly. Pokémon Center has not said whether inventory for Delta Reign was smaller than previous releases.
The Botting Claims
The more serious allegation is that some automated buyers allegedly got around those limits after reaching checkout. TheGamer reported that botting accounts allegedly shared large hauls after the drop. Separately, a highly upvoted Reddit comment claimed that a botter had posted a screenshot showing 96 orders.
FoilWire could not independently verify that screenshot, how many products were contained in those orders, whether every order came from the same buyer, or whether Pokémon Center will ultimately fulfill them. Other collectors allegedly reported seeing unusually large quantities associated with botting accounts, but Pokémon has not confirmed those claims.
What Happens to Those Orders?
The frustration here is understandable because a purchase limit only works if shoppers believe it is actually enforced. Pokémon Center says customers must follow the limits displayed on product pages, and earlier in September GamesRadar+ reported widespread 30th Celebration order cancellations that appeared to include suspected reseller and bot orders alongside some ordinary customers.
If the alleged Delta Reign orders really exceeded the stated limits, the next question is whether Pokémon Center catches and cancels them. Until that happens, or Pokémon addresses the situation directly, claims that bots took most of the available Delta Reign stock remain allegations rather than confirmed fact.
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Sources
- Pokémon Center Support: Estimated Preorder Release Dates;
- Pokémon: Mega Evolution Delta Reign Prerelease Information;
- Pokémon Center Support: Virtual Queue;
- TheGamer: Delta Reign Pokémon Center Botting Reports;
- Reddit: Community Reports From the Delta Reign Drop;
- Restockd: September 30 Pokémon Center Drop Updates;
- GamesRadar+: September Pokémon Center Order Cancellation Reports.
