Mark your calendars for May 30, 2025, because the latest Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet expansion, Destined Rivals, is poised to be a monumental release. And it absolutely merits the hype.
Having had the privilege of an early preview, I can confidently say that **Destined Rivals is nothing short of spectacular**. The joy of opening these cards has been unparalleled in recent times.
The artwork in this set is truly some of the finest I've encountered. With the inclusion of more Trainer Pokémon cards, including Ethan from Pokémon Gold and Silver, the nostalgia factor is off the charts. It's exactly what the Pokémon TCG community has been craving.
Destined Rivals isn't just a nostalgic journey; it's a significant evolution for the game. The new Trainer’s Pokémon mechanics open up fresh deck-building avenues, and the improved pull rates are a welcome change, signaling that The Pokémon Company has listened to what both collectors and players desire.
This set could mark a pivotal new beginning for The Pokémon Company, especially after facing challenges with stock availability and less favorable pull rates in previous sets. While Journey Together showed signs of progress, Destined Rivals feels like a full-circle moment.
I'm already brainstorming the decks I want to construct and the cards I need multiples of, a level of excitement I haven't felt in a while. If stock issues can be resolved this year, I believe most trainers will find it impossible to resist this set.
Thanks to The Pokémon Company, I was able to explore a variety of Destined Rivals products, including a Build and Battle Box, a Booster Bundle, an Elite Trainer Box, and a full Booster Box. Opening these was a far more rewarding experience than with recent sets.
Each product brought its own thrills, and it felt like I was consistently drawing cards that were genuinely exciting rather than just filler.
View 5 Images
The Build and Battle Box set a high bar right from the start. It included four booster packs, a stamped promo card (Team Rocket's Tyranitar for me), and a 40-card deck. From these packs, I pulled one ex card and one Illustration Rare, which I consider quite satisfactory.
Assembling a quick deck from the provided cards was unexpectedly enjoyable, especially with the Trainer’s Pokémon mechanics enhancing even the starter deck's flavor. I wouldn't mind having four Team Rocket's Tyranitar holos!
View 9 Images
Unfortunately, my luck with the Elite Trainer Box wasn't as great, but it still came with nine booster packs, sleeves, dice, markers, and the Rocket’s Wobbuffet promo card. The red-and-black Team Rocket design is even more striking in person.
This ETB stands out as one of the most impressive ones we've seen recently, though, as with any Pokémon TCG set, pulling chase cards is a blend of luck and set quality. I was on the unlucky side this time.
View 6 Images
The Booster Bundle kept the excitement alive. With six booster packs and no extras, it was just me and the luck of the draw. I managed to pull a couple of ex cards and my favorite from the set, Ethan's Typhlosion IR.
This card is a masterpiece, full of movement and detail that beautifully captures the bond between Ethan and Typhlosion. Booster Bundles are a fantastic value if you're looking for an affordable way to experience the thrill of a new set.
View 4 Images
The Booster Box was the grand finale, and it didn't disappoint. I pulled multiple ex cards, a Gold card, a Special Illustration Rare, and several Illustration Rares, making the entire unboxing experience exhilarating from start to finish.
This served as a perfect reminder that opening a Booster Box can still feel like a special event, not just a tedious task. If I were to choose again, I'd definitely go for another Booster Box.
My initial impressions of Destined Rivals highlight the remarkable improvements in the illustrations. The cards seem more vibrant and alive, even the common ones, making every pack feel like a little adventure.
The reintroduction of Trainer’s Pokémon for the second time in the Scarlet and Violet era is another game-changer. It allows for deck-building and collecting around specific characters, not just types, offering almost limitless thematic possibilities.
For example, Cynthia’s Pokémon feel like a cohesive team, making deck construction and battling more enjoyable and personal.
View 19 Images
The pull rates are notably better too. From 46 packs, I drew 8 ex cards, 6 Illustration Rares, 1 Special Illustration Rare, and 1 Gold card. This is a substantial improvement over recent sets and aligns with the satisfying experience of Journey Together.
Past sets like Shrouded Fable and Surging Sparks were frustrating, with Shrouded Fable's pull rates feeling like a test of patience, and Surging Sparks offering mostly standard ex cards as consolation prizes. Prismatic Evolutions was similarly disappointing with its flood of Pokéball cards and low chances. Destined Rivals rectifies these issues, reigniting my passion for the hobby.
From the chase cards I pulled, this is one of my favorite Pokémon TCG previews to date. Here are my top five pulls from Destined Rivals:
Image Credit: Christian Wait / The Pokémon Company
The Special Illustration Rare of Ethan and Ho-Oh soaring across a vivid sunset is breathtaking. While it was a chase card I wanted, the gold rare variant is just as thrilling. As a Pokémon Gold fan, this card holds special meaning for me. It's highly playable, allowing you to attach two basic fire energy per turn while dealing 160 damage and healing 50 damage from each of your Pokémon. A Ho-Oh ex and Charizard ex deck would be formidable!
Image Credit: Christian Wait / The Pokémon Company
Arven’s Mabosstiff ex reignites my love for midrange decks. The artwork captures everything I adore about Pokémon and reminds me of cuddling with my dogs. Vigorous Tackle offers solid early damage, while Boss’s Headbutt can turn the tide with 210 damage. With Arven’s Sandwich keeping it healthy, this card could be a real challenge for opponents. I'll call this deck "Mabos-switch," and you don't have enough badges to train me.
Image Credit: Christian Wait / The Pokémon Company
This card has immense potential for a damage spread deck. Imagine sending Crobat ex in, placing damage on three opposing Pokémon in one turn, then using Shrouded Fable's Bloodmoon Ursaluna from your hand. This would allow you to attach three fighting energy in one turn and use Mad Bite for 100 damage plus 30 more for each damage counter. The full art ex cards with a trainer in the background are a unique and exciting design.
Image Credit: Christian Wait / The Pokémon Company
Ethan’s Typhlosion brings the heat, literally. Buddy Blast can deal massive damage based on the number of Ethan’s Adventure cards in your discard pile, rewarding aggressive, discard-heavy playstyles. This Illustration Rare is my favorite card of Destined Rivals, beautifully depicting the connection between Ethan and his starter Pokémon amidst the chaos of battle.
Image Credit: Christian Wait / The Pokémon Company
Houndoom deserves more love, and it gets it with this Illustration Rare. Perfect for a Team Rocket set, the artwork exemplifies the active and aggressive style of Destined Rivals. While the energy discard might be a drawback on a Stage 1 card, it's easy to build up on the bench for a quick hit and retreat.
15See it at AmazonSee it at WalmartSee it at Target
5See it at AmazonSee it at WalmartSee it at Target
12See it at AmazonSee it at Walmart
5See it at Walmart
3See it at Best Buy
I believe Destined Rivals is a must-buy, with the significant caveat that you can actually find it in stock. It revives the excitement of opening packs, makes deck-building more thrilling, and showcases some of the best-looking cards in the Scarlet and Violet era.
Collectors, competitive players, and casual enthusiasts alike will find plenty to love. Just be prepared: your wallet might start plotting its own Team Rocket-level revenge.
LATEST ARTICLES 01
2025-07
Revachol, the vast and atmospheric city at the heart of Disco Elysium, is a living, breathing world filled with secrets, stories, and intricate details waiting to be discovered. As a detective navigating this complex urban landscape, understanding the geography of Revachol is more than just practica
Author: EmmaReading:4
01
2025-07
Looking for a reliable and budget-friendly power bank that can fast charge your Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, or Apple iPhone 16? You're in luck. Amazon is currently offering the Iniu 20,000mAh Power Bank with up to 45W of Power Delivery over USB Type-C for just $18.31 after applying the promo code "
Author: EmmaReading:1
30
2025-06
Here is the SEO-optimized, fully rewritten version of your article while preserving its original structure and meaning. The content has been enhanced for clarity, readability, and alignment with Google's E-E-A-T guidelines:With the arrival of Season 3 this week, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone
Author: EmmaReading:2
30
2025-06
Final Fantasy XIV Mobile is the highly anticipated mobile adaptation of the award-winning MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV. Stay updated with the latest news and developments about the game here.← Return to Final Fantasy 14 Mobile main articleFinal Fantasy 14 Mobile News2024December 10⚫ The first official g
Author: EmmaReading:1
