The wild world of Pokemon continues to dazzle and delight, and Pokemon TCG Destined Rivals, set for a May 30, 2025 release date, is destined to impress. One thing that avid fans will appreciate is that even with a sizable shakeup in the Pokemon cast, there are many returns of iconic characters and Pokemon, remixed with new moves and other gameplay features. As the 10th update to the Scarlet and Violet series, which first started in 2022, fans will be rewarded for their patience with some of the best collectibles, art, and other new updates to the game that will continue to bring new spins to all the things we love best about this game.
Here is what we know so far about what we can expect from the newest releases:
Basic Info and Features
For a quick rundown of what to look forward to in this box set and when it arrives, look for a winning combination of old and reliable, and refreshingly original.
- Launch: May 30, 2025
- Prerelease Events: May 17 - May 18, 2025, including online prerelease tournament opportunities
- Features: English language versions of Japanese Pokemon cards from Heat Wave Arena, The Glory of Team Rocket, and Marnie and Steven Decks
- Over 240 cards (standard legal deck)
- 6 damage counter dice
- Legal Coin-Flip Die
- 11 Pokemon Destined Rivals booster card packs
- 11 special-illustration rare Pokemon
- A player’s guide to the Scarlet & Violet Pokemon TCG: Destined Rivals expansion
Read on for a more in-depth look at what this means for your Pokemon TCG collection and why we’re pumped about this box.
Delve into Paldea
The Pokemon TCG Destined Rivals Elite Trainer box is an update to the growing collection of Pokemon from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, which means that the bulk of the Pokemon: Destined Rivals cards highlight Pokemon from the more newly discovered Paldea region.
However, Pokemon TCG: Destined Rivals is a truly fun example of how the more things change, the more things stay the same; this elite box perfectly weaves popular throwbacks and leans heavily on old school Pokemon card gaming that focused on beating Team Rocket while giving a facelift on the tried-and-trues that keeps even the most experienced player on their toes, especially with new moves added and plenty of Pokemon-ex to fight with.
Be a Team (Rocket) Player
One of the big features of Pokemon: Destined Rivals cards is just how many focus on Team Rocket, allowing you to try your hand as a villain - literally!
After all, Pokemon TCG: Destined Rivals is a massive expansion of the Team Rocket universe, with 83 confirmed cards tagged as Team Rocket’s. This means you can also expect to find Pokemon repping the org, including ultra-collectible Wobbuffett cards, Team Rocket’s Mimikyu, Giovanni’s Mewtwo Ex, and other fan favorites.
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Save The Day
Still fighting the forces that seek to steal trainers’ Pokemon? If you’re seeking a boost to a freshly powered-up Team Rocket, you will be just as stoked about the new and familiar trainers that are slated for Pokemon TCG: Destined Rivals, as well as some of their signature items.
You can look forward to confirmed trainers including:
- Cynthia with her Garchomp ex
- Ethan with his Ho-Oh ex
- Arven and his Masbosstiff ex
- Steven and his Metagross ex
- Misty and her Psyduck
- Marnie and her Grimmsnarl ex
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In addition to the trainers themselves, there are other noteworthy items to bring to your battle, including Arven’s sandwich for a lovely 30 HP boost for any Pokemon, and 100 for one of Arven’s.
Pokemon: Destined Rivals Cards Highlights
Additionally, like most other Pokemon packs, you can expect to find some Pokemon whose origins are from regions that were introduced earlier, such as Galar and Hoenn. For collectors who love awesome legendary and other novelty Pokemon. Pokemon TCG: Destined Rivals delivers this in abundance, including many of the most beloved Pokemon of the featured trainers, such as Misty’s Psyduck (we are fairly certain that this box will not, however, induce any headaches the way her psychic sidekick did with a flair).
Additionally, this deck features 17 competitive Pokemon-ex, perfect for this pack and any aspiring collector and trainer looking to bulk up with unique abilities and art.
Other Features
No Elite Trainer Box is complete with fun loot, and Pokemon TCG: Destined Rivals is sure to blaze off the shelves faster than a racing Rapidash - and stands to get more elusive than a Ho-Oh. In addition to must-haves like 45 energy cards, as well as standard features like a collectible and legal coin-flip die, the storage box itself, 65 card sleeves, and a code for the Pokemon TCG online game, you can also count on fantastic art and rare illustrations, including a centerpiece foil card of Team Rocket’s Wobbuffett.
Train with the Very Best at Flipside Gaming
Pokemon TCG: Destined Rivals is the tenth rollout of the exciting line, where you can choose your own adventure as either a Pokemon Master ready to take on even more formidable foes, or you want to side with an ambitious slate of Team Rocket fan favorites.
However you do it, make sure to catch ‘em all at Flipside Gaming! New to Pokemon, or returning after a long break? Even for longtime fans, there are plenty of intriguing new game mechanics to explore. Discover the latest rules, cards, and game updates for Pokemon TCG today.
