When one piece of Pokémon news disappoints, another excites. Today, it’s time for some contagious excitement considering the details we learnt of the Pokémon TCG Destined Rivals release. The Pokémon TCG March 2025 announcement is particularly interesting because it features the troublesome and fabulously villainous Team Rocket and 45 of their Pokémon. 

The Pokémon Company officially unveiled the Destined Rivals card set as the tenth main expansion of the Scarlet and Violet era of Pokémon TCG, introducing over 240 cards for players who have waited patiently for the next release. 

Pokémon TCG expansion

Image: Pokémon TCG

Pokémon TCG Destined Rivals Release Announced: Team Rocket Takes Center Stage

The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) is a collectible card game based on the iconic Pokémon franchise and was originally developed by Creatures Inc. in 1996. The card game has remained just as relevant to the Pokémon legacy as the TV show, and with every era of the show’s expansion, the card decks have also kept pace in their expansion, giving players physical collectibles to trade and battle with.

Pokémon TCG Live managed to bring the card game to the online sphere and give gamers a digital space to consolidate their unique cards, but there’s just no replacing the joy of the physical cards. We also had the release of Pokémon TCG Pocket—another online card game experience for a slightly different audience—to showcase just how much love there is for the card collecting games.

The Pokémon TCG Team Rocket cards are particularly exciting as the antagonists have created a very well-loved legacy from themselves right from their flair for the dramatics to their commitment to the bit. This is the first Team Rocket-themed TCG since  2004’s EX Team Rocket Returns and it does more than just throw the ball to Jessie, James, and Meowth and call it a day. With a callback to Giovanni and a return of the ex mechanics, there’s a lot to love about this revival of 90s nostalgia.

What to Expect From the Pokémon TCG Expansion Sets

From what we’ve discussed about the Pokémon TCG Destined Rivals release, it may sound like a release exclusively centered around Team Rocket, but that is not the case. While the set surrounding the bad guys and their grunts is most exciting, you also have other Trainer’s Pokémon and Pokémon ex to look forward to, along with other rare or gold-etched cards that really commit to the collector’s urge to take a gamble on a box.

Expect characters like Ethan, Cynthia, and Misty to make an appearance. According to The Pokémon Company, the Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Destined Rivals expansion will feature:

  • Over 240 cards
  • Over 85 Trainer’s Pokémon, including over 45 Team Rocket’s Pokémon
  • More than 15 Pokémon ex
  • More than 20 Trainer cards
  • More than 45 Pokémon and Trainer cards with special illustrations
  • The illustration cards mentioned could be 23 illustrations rare Pokémon cards and 11 special illustrations rare Pokémon cards
  • Six hyper-rare gold-etched cards

Availability of the New Pokémon TCG Set for 2025

The Pokémon TCG Destined Rivals release has been scheduled for May 30, 2025. You can also expect pre-release events at select stores between May 17 and 25. A digital launch on Pokémon TCG Live is expected on May 29, 2025, for those who prefer playing online. You can check back for future updates on where the Pokémon TCG prerelease tournaments will take place as you could win some exciting prizes as a finisher in any of the three age divisions.

The hardest part of acquiring the cards in the Pokémon TCG March 2025 announcement is going to be beating the scalpers to the game and getting your hands on the cards. Despite the many years that have passed since Pokémon’s prime, the game in all its various forms is still popular, and much like with concert tickets or AMD and Nvidia GPUs, there is enough demand for these products that many have seen a business opportunity in buying out the product and then selling it for a higher price. 

You may see similar issues with the availability of the new cards. Regardless, this is what you can expect with the new Pokémon TCG set in 2025:

  • Booster Packs (10 Cards)
  • Booster Boxes (36 packs, 18 packs)
  • Elite Trainer Box
  • Pokémon Center Exclusive Elite Trainer Box
  • Booster Bundle (6 packs)
  • 3-Pack Blisters
  • Build and Battle Box
  • Build & Battle Stadium

The MSRP prices for these sets have not been confirmed yet.

Which Pokémon TCG Destined Rivals Cards Are You Most Looking Forward To?

We don’t have all the details of what cards are coming with the Pokémon TCG Destined Rivals release, but we do have a few indications of what to expect. Misty’s Gyarados may have many excited but we’re also set to shower her Psyduck with love. Cynthia’s Garchomp ex will be a crowd favorite but Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex could come in a close second to steal all the attention from the other Pokémon TCG Destined Rivals cards.

If we focus solely on the Team Rocket expansion for Pokémon TCG, deck diva Mewtwo ex, Tarountula, and Mimikyu could be key cards to set the stage for the game, along with some attention for Giovanni’s trainer card. Team Rocket’s Tyranitar is generating some buzz online but we don’t have the full details on the card just yet.

Pokémon TCG Team Rocket cards

Image: Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet—Destined Rivals

Scalpers Cause Unrest as Fans Try to Claim Their Pokémon TCG Destined Rivals Cards

A few concerns surround the Pokémon TCG Destined Rivals release, primarily the issue of limited stock and the rise of scalpers who see the products for twice the actual price. This isolates real fans from enjoying the experience and sours expectations for future releases as well. It’s hard to find a solution to this particular problem, but it’s one that fans want The Pokémon Company to take more seriously.

After Destined Rivals was revealed the company opened up a pre-order queue that instantly filled up with over a million people. All stock was quickly sold out and the Pokémon Center revealed that more stock will be available later in the year. This level of demand is astounding, but it’s also unclear how many of these customers were genuine customers and how many of them were placing orders as resellers. 

Fans received an email informing them about the preorders, but even these were said to have been sent out late after the initial queuing had already begun. While it’s heartening to see the cultural relevance of Pokémon card trading is still going strong, it’s about time the system changes.

How Do You Feel About the Pokémon TCG Live Expansion?

There’s also the early access release on Pokémon TCG Live and what it means for the card trading industry. Maybe shifting to the online mode cuts out the scalpers and allows for more bonuses and drama building in the game, but it also eliminates the unbeatable joy of tearing a pack open to find out what’s inside. 

It does not appear that the online Gacha-esque mode will dampen the excitement around the physical release, but it is going to be an aspect to watch in the coming months.

Following the Pokémon TCG Destined Rivals release—possibly one of the last for the Scarlet & Violet era—we could see a Unova-themed special set next in July, with no Trainer’s Pokemon cards. We don’t know how true this is, but the rumors agree that we’re headed into Mega Evolutions territory later in August. 

Are you looking forward to the Pokémon TCG Destined Rivals release? What are you most excited about? Let us know. Subscribe to Technowize for more updates on the world of technology and gaming.

tagged in New Pokémon TCG set 2025, Pokémon TCG Destined Rivals cards, Pokémon TCG Destined Rivals release, Pokémon TCG expansion, Pokémon TCG March 2025, Pokémon TCG Team Rocket cards, Team Rocket expansion Pokémon TCG
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