Pokémon Trainers, get ready! The Pokémon TCG is kicking off summer 2025 with a thrilling new expansion – Scarlet & Violet—Destined Rivals. Set to release on May 30, 2025, this Scarlet & Violet expansion brings back the infamous Team Rocket alongside heroic trainers in an epic showdown. As the new Pokémon set of 2025, Destined Rivals is packed with over 240 cards including a slew of Team Rocket-themed Pokémon cards and powerful Pokémon ex that are sure to excite collectors and competitive players alike. From the return of Giovanni and Mewtwo to gorgeous special illustration rares, here are the top highlights to know about Pokémon TCG Destined Rivals before it hits shelves.
Team Rocket Pokémon Cards Return in Destined Rivals
Team Rocket is out in full force in Destined Rivals, with Giovanni and Mewtwo taking center stage on the booster box packaging. Team Rocket makes a dramatic return in this expansion, marking their first major appearance in the Scarlet & Violet era. The set’s theme pits villains against heroes – you can choose a side by joining forces with famous Trainer-Pokémon duos or by teaming up with the nefarious Team Rocket. Iconic characters Giovanni and his Mewtwo ex headline the villainous roster, appearing as Team Rocket’s Pokémon cards. Fans of the classic Team Rocket era will love seeing Jessie, James, and their crew on card art and packaging, bringing a nostalgic flair and storyline element to the TCG. These Team Rocket Pokémon cards aren’t just for show either – they include powerful Pokémon under Team Rocket’s command (like Mewtwo ex) that could become serious threats in competitive play. For long-time collectors, the return of Team Rocket adds significant collectible appeal, as it harkens back to the beloved Rocket sets of the past while introducing all-new cards and artwork.
On the flip side, heroic Trainers are not left out. Destined Rivals also features Trainer’s Pokémon belonging to famous characters from various generations. Expect to see cards like Cynthia’s Garchomp ex, Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex, and Arven’s Mabosstiff ex rallying against Team Rocket. Each of these cards prominently displays the Trainer’s name, showcasing the special bond between Trainer and Pokémon. This Trainer’s Pokémon mechanic returns from recent sets, but now with a dark twist thanks to Team Rocket’s involvement. The dynamic between good and evil makes the Destined Rivals set especially flavorful – collectors may find themselves building two themed collections: one for the heroes and one for the villains!
Key Features of the Scarlet & Violet—Destined Rivals Expansion
This Scarlet & Violet – Destined Rivals expansion is truly epic in scale and content. Here are some of the key features and numbers that collectors and players should know:
- Over 240 cards in total – a massive set offering plenty of pulls and deck-building options.
- 85+ Trainer’s Pokémon cards, including 45+ Team Rocket’s Pokémon – a huge focus on Pokémon tied to characters, from Gym Leaders and Champions to Team Rocket’s roster.
- 17 new Pokémon ex (with 10 of them being Trainer’s Pokémon ex) – the Pokémon ex mechanic continues strong, bringing evolved Pokémon with high HP and powerful attacks into the spotlight. You’ll find ex cards for both heroes (e.g. Garchomp ex) and villains (e.g. Mewtwo ex).
- 20+ new Trainer cards – new Item, Supporter, and Stadium cards to shake up strategies. These may include Team Rocket-themed trainer cards as well as cards featuring hero characters.
- 45+ cards with special illustrations – a treasure trove for art-loving collectors. There are illustration rare and special illustration rare cards (23 illustration rares and 11 special illustration rares) featuring stunning alternate artwork. These full-art cards often depict Pokémon alongside their trainers or in cinematic scenes, making them highly sought-after display pieces.
- 6 hyper rare gold-etched cards – ultra-premium secret rares with gold borders and etching. These hyper rares are the toughest pulls in the set, likely featuring select Pokémon or Trainer items in a glamorous gold finish. Pulling one will be a highlight of any booster box!
In addition, 83 cards in Destined Rivals are tagged as Team Rocket’s cards, underscoring how significant the Team Rocket theme is in this set. From a gameplay standpoint, this might introduce new synergies for cards that share the Team Rocket tag. For collectors, it means there’s a vast array of Rocket-affiliated cards to chase, beyond just the big names. Overall, Pokémon TCG Destined Rivals delivers a rich mix of content — high card count, beloved characters, and multiple rarity tiers — ensuring broad appeal.
Pokémon ex and Rare Chase Cards Galore
One of the biggest attractions of Destined Rivals is the variety of chase cards it offers. For competitive players, the Pokémon ex in this set are going to be key. With 17 Pokémon ex to collect, you’ll find both evolved powerhouses and basic ex that can slot into many deck archetypes. Notably, many of these are Trainer’s Pokémon ex – for example, Giovanni’s Mewtwo ex and Cynthia’s Garchomp ex – which could bring unique abilities or attacks influenced by their trainers’ themes. These ex cards mark the return of a classic mechanic (Pokémon-ex of past eras) in the modern TCG, meaning big HP and high-impact effects are back. Players will want to watch how these new ex might shift the meta; a card like Mewtwo ex under Giovanni could become a formidable archetype if it synergizes with Dark-type support or Rocket-themed trainers.
For collectors, Destined Rivals is a dream set thanks to its stunning rare variants. The expansion contains dozens of special illustration rare (SIR) cards – beautiful full-art cards with unique artwork that often tell a story. These include Pokémon illustrated alongside their trainers or in dramatic scenes. For instance, one could imagine a special art of Ethan’s Ho-Oh soaring or Misty’s Psyduck in a playful setting (the exact cards will be revealed closer to release). These illustration rares are often secret numbered and have limited availability, making them prized by collectors. Even more exclusive are the hyper rare gold-etched cards. Only six of these gold rares are in the set, likely covering a mix of top Pokémon ex or special Trainer Item cards. They feature a gold foil design and texture that make them sparkle – literally the gold standard for collectors. Pulling a hyper rare (gold) version of a card like Mewtwo ex or a coveted trainer item will be the ultimate prize from a Destined Rivals pack.
It’s also worth noting the illustration rare category (often marked with a shiny icon in recent sets) which typically depicts Pokémon in artistic scenes (23 such cards are in this set). These fall in between regular holo rares and the ultra-rare SIRs in terms of rarity. With Destined Rivals, there’s no shortage of visually stunning cards to hunt down. Collectors should be prepared for high demand on singles like the special illustration rare Pokémon ex cards – these will likely fetch premium prices due to both low pull rates and popular characters featured. Competitive players too will chase these rarer versions of playable cards to bling out their decks. In short, whether you’re cracking packs for that one golden secret rare or savoring the artwork of illustration rares, this set promises a rewarding experience.
Product Lineup: Booster Packs, Elite Trainer Boxes, and More
With a set this exciting, Pokémon has a full lineup of Destined Rivals products to suit both casual and hardcore fans. Here’s what will be available on release day:
- Booster Packs & Booster Boxes: Each Destined Rivals booster pack contains 10 cards (plus a Basic Energy), and there are several different pack artwork designs featuring the set’s stars (Giovanni & Mewtwo, Cynthia & Garchomp, Ethan & Ho-Oh, Team Rocket admins, etc.). For those looking to collect the entire set or stock up for competitive play, booster boxes (sealed displays of 36 packs) are the way to go. A booster box gives you ample chances to pull multiple ultra-rares and is generally the best value per pack. The booster box packaging itself highlights the heroes and villains theme – the display box even has Team Rocket’s Jessie and James on the popup insert, with Giovanni and Mewtwo on the front. Expect these boxes to be in very high demand as pre-orders have already been strong due to the set’s popularity.
- Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs): For a more curated experience, the Scarlet & Violet—Destined Rivals Elite Trainer Box is a must-have. Each ETB comes with 9 booster packs (in the regular version) or 11 packs in the Pokémon Center exclusive version, plus a variety of extras to enhance your collection and gameplay. Notably, Destined Rivals ETBs include an exclusive promo card: Team Rocket’s Wobbuffet in full-art foil. This card is a fun nod to Jessie and James’s signature Pokémon, complete with the Team Rocket logo stamp in the artwork. If you get the Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box (a special edition available only through Pokémon Center online), you’ll receive two versions of this Wobbuffet promo – one with a Pokémon Center stamp and one without – whereas the regular retail ETB includes just the unstamped promo. The ETB also contains themed card sleeves, a Destined Rivals players guide, dice, condition markers, and a stylish storage box, all decked out in the set’s red-and-black Team Rocket motif. Collectors love ETBs for these exclusive items (especially the promo card), and ETBs are a great way for players to get accessories plus a stack of packs in one product.
The Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box for Destined Rivals features a bold Team Rocket design (Giovanni and Mewtwo silhouette) and includes extra packs and a bonus promo card.
- Build & Battle Boxes: Ahead of the official release, players can grab Build & Battle Boxes (prerelease kits) to get an early taste of Destined Rivals. Each Build & Battle box includes 4 booster packs plus a 40-card ready-to-play deck (featuring pre-selected cards from the set and one stamped promo). Interestingly, the prerelease promo cards for Destined Rivals are also Team Rocket-themed – early reports reveal Team Rocket’s Tyranitar and Team Rocket’s Mimikyu as two of the possible promos. These kits are primarily available at prerelease events from May 17–25, but any leftovers might be sold by stores afterward. For collectors, the stamped prerelease promos are cool collectibles (especially if they feature unique art or the Team Rocket logo), and for players, these kits are perfect to start building a deck for launch day tournaments.
- Other Products and Accessories: The Destined Rivals release will be accompanied by the usual range of accessory products. Look out for booster bundle packs (containing 6 loose boosters for those who want a smaller taste than a full box) and special blister packs (such as 3-pack blisters that come with a promo card and coin). There are also branded accessories like Destined Rivals themed portfolios/binders to store your cards, featuring artwork from the set. Whether you’re just after a few packs or all-in on a sealed box, there’s a product for every type of collector and player. And remember, Tako Games & Collectibles will have the full range of Scarlet & Violet—Destined Rivals products available for order on release day, including both the standard ETB and the Pokémon Center ETB exclusive (while supplies last)!
Pre-release Events (May 17–25) and Release Day Prep
The excitement for Destined Rivals actually begins before May 30th. Pre-release events for this set run from May 17 through May 25, 2025 at participating local game stores. During these events (part of the official Play! Pokémon program), players can crack open Build & Battle Boxes to play in casual tournaments using the new cards early. It’s a great opportunity to preview Destined Rivals in action, try out some of the new Pokémon ex in a limited format, and snag those exclusive prerelease promo cards. If you’re a competitive player, attending a prerelease can give you a head-start in understanding which cards might be impactful once the set is legal for standard play. Plus, it’s just plain fun to experience the new set in a friendly environment before the rest of the world gets their hands on it.
As release day (May 30) approaches, both collectors and players should get prepared. Given the tremendous buzz around Team Rocket’s return and the set’s high collectible value, demand will be extremely high on launch day. Popular products like booster boxes and the Pokémon Center ETB may sell out quickly. It’s wise to stay on alert for release day – mark your calendar and consider securing a pre-order if you haven’t yet. Keep an eye on our site, TakoGNC.com, as we will update inventory in real-time once Destined Rivals goes live. For those hoping to pull that chase card, getting your orders in early or showing up when doors open on release day can make the difference in snagging sealed products before they’re gone.
On launch day, we anticipate a flurry of pack openings and deck brewing. Collectors will be hunting for those illustration rares and hyper rares – if you pull one, consider getting it sleeved and protected immediately, as some of these cards could be quite valuable out of the gate. Players will be testing new deck ideas; for example, will a Team Rocket’s Pokémon deck become viable, or will the hero Trainer’s Pokémon synergize well with existing strategies? The first weeks of June will likely see new deck archetypes in local leagues as everyone experiments with Destined Rivals cards.
Don’t Miss Out on Destined Rivals!
In summary, Scarlet & Violet—Destined Rivals is shaping up to be one of the most exciting Pokémon TCG releases of 2025. It masterfully blends nostalgia (Team Rocket and classic characters) with modern gameplay (Pokémon ex and stunning new art rarities), creating something for every kind of Pokémon fan. Collectors will find incredible value in the set’s broad range of chase cards – from full-art Trainer’s Pokémon to gold-etched hyper rares – and will want to secure product early due to the expected high demand. Competitive players are in for a treat with many new cards that could become format staples, as well as the fun of building decks around famous characters and their partner Pokémon.
As release day draws near, be sure to check out our offerings here at Tako Games & Collectibles (www.takognc.com). We’ll have everything from booster packs to Elite Trainer Boxes ready for you, so you can dive into Destined Rivals as soon as it launches. This new Pokémon set promises fierce battles and coveted collectibles – truly living up to its name Destined Rivals. Don’t let Team Rocket get the last laugh by beating you to the punch; stock up on your Destined Rivals products, and get ready to assemble your allies or join the dark side come May 30th! May the best trainer win, and happy card hunting on release day.