Scarlet & Violet Expansion: Top Picks from Pokémon TCG's Destined Rivals Preview

Set to launch on May 30, 2025, the latest Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet expansion, Destined Rivals, is poised to be one of the most significant card game releases in history. And it's well-deserved.

Having had the privilege of an early hands-on with the set, I can confidently say that Destined Rivals is exceptional. My first experience with the expansion was nothing short of thrilling, marking one of the most enjoyable times I've had opening cards in recent memory.

The artwork in this set is unparalleled, some of the finest I've ever encountered. Destined Rivals introduces more Trainer Pokémon cards, including Ethan from Pokémon Gold and Silver, evoking a wave of nostalgia that's hard to beat. This expansion feels exactly like what the Pokémon TCG community has been yearning for.

But Destined Rivals is more than a nostalgic journey; it represents a significant evolution for the game. The new Trainer's Pokémon cards open up innovative deck-building opportunities, and the improved pull rates are a testament to The Pokémon Company's understanding of what both collectors and players desire. This set could signal a fresh start for The Pokémon Company, particularly after recent challenges with stock availability and less favorable pull rates in previous sets (though Journey Together did begin to turn the tide).

I'm already strategizing which decks to construct and which cards I'll need in multiples. It's been a while since a set has sparked this level of excitement in me. With the promise of resolved stock issues, I believe most trainers will find it difficult to resist this set.

Where to Buy

Unboxing and Impressions

Thanks to The Pokémon Company, I was able to explore a variety of Destined Rivals products: a Build and Battle Box, a Booster Bundle, an Elite Trainer Box, and a full Booster Box. Opening these products was immensely rewarding, far surpassing the experience of recent sets.

Each product had its own highlights, and the excitement of pulling cards that truly matter was palpable, rather than just moving on indifferently.

Destined Rivals: Build and Battle Box

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The Build and Battle Box set an impressive tone from the start. It included four booster packs, a stamped promo card (Team Rocket's Tyranitar for me), and a 40-card deck. I pulled one ex card and one Illustration Rare from the four packs, which is quite respectable. Building a quick deck with the included cards was not only fun but also enhanced by the Trainer's Pokémon mechanics, making even the starter deck more engaging. Four Team Rocket's Tyranitar holos, please!

Destined Rivals: Elite Trainer Box

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While my luck wasn't the best with the Elite Trainer Box, it still provided 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, making this one of the most visually appealing Elite Trainer Boxes in recent memory. Despite not pulling many chase cards, the quality of the set itself remains high, though luck plays a significant role in any Pokémon TCG set.

Destined Rivals: Booster Bundle

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The Booster Bundle maintained the excitement. With six booster packs and no additional items, it was just me and the thrill of the draw. I pulled a couple of ex cards and my favorite card from the set, Ethan's Typhlosion IR. The stunning detail and movement in this card truly capture the bond between Ethan and Tyranitar. Booster Bundles offer excellent value for those seeking the excitement of a new set without breaking the bank.

Destined Rivals: Booster Box

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The Booster Box was the grand finale and did not disappoint. I pulled multiple ex cards, a Gold card, a Special Illustration Rare, and several Illustration Rares, making the entire experience exciting from start to finish. This set reminds us that opening a Booster Box can still feel like an event, not just a tedious search for a single good card. If I were to choose again, I'd go all in on a Booster Box for this set.

My initial impressions of Destined Rivals are overwhelmingly positive, particularly due to the enhanced illustrations. Even common cards are more expressive, making each pack opening an adventure rather than a chore. The reintroduction of Trainer's Pokémon in the Scarlet and Violet era is a game-changer, offering nearly limitless thematic possibilities for deck-building and collecting. It's thrilling to see cards like Cynthia's Pokémon form a cohesive team, enhancing both the building and battling experience.

Destined Rivals: Top Card Pulls

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The pull rates in Destined Rivals are significantly better. From 46 packs, I pulled 8 ex cards, 6 Illustration Rares, 1 Special Illustration Rare, and 1 Gold card—16 impressive hits that feel meaningful. This matches the strong pull experience from Journey Together and is a stark contrast to the frustration of recent mini sets like Prismatic Evolutions. Sets like Shrouded Fable and Surging Sparks were challenging due to their low pull rates, and Prismatic Evolutions was particularly disappointing with its abundance of Pokéball cards. Destined Rivals rectifies these issues and reignites the passion for the hobby.

My Favorite Destined Rivals Pulls

This preview of Destined Rivals has yielded some of my favorite pulls to date, with 16 hits ranging from standard exs to Special Illustration Rares. Here are my top five pulls from this set:

Ethan's Ho-Oh ex 239/182

Image Credit: Christian Wait / The Pokémon Company

The Special Illustration Rare artwork of Ethan and Ho-Oh soaring across a vivid sunset is truly special. As one of my chase cards, its gold rare variant also holds significant meaning for me, given my preference for Pokémon Gold. The card's playability, allowing you to attach two basic fire energy per turn while dealing 160 damage and healing 50 from each of your Pokémon, makes it a powerhouse, especially in a deck with Charizard ex.

Arven's Mabosstiff ex 235/182

Image Credit: Christian Wait / The Pokémon Company

Arven's Mabosstiff ex reignites my love for midrange decks. The artwork captures the essence of Pokémon, reminding me of cuddling with my dogs. Vigorous Tackle offers solid early damage, while Boss's Headbutt can turn battles around with 210 damage. With Arven's Sandwich keeping it healthy, this card could be a formidable challenge for opponents. I'm dubbing this deck "Mabos-switch"—and you don't have enough badges to train me!

Team Rocket's Crobat ex 217/182

Image Credit: Christian Wait / The Pokémon Company

This card has immense potential for damage spread decks. Imagine deploying Crobat ex, placing damage on three opposing Pokémon in one turn, then bringing in Shrouded Fable's Bloodmoon Ursaluna. With its Battle Hardened ability, you can attach three fighting energy in one turn and use Mad Bite for 100 damage plus 30 more per damage counter. The full art ex cards with a trainer in the background are a unique and compelling design.

Ethan's Typhlosion 190/182

Image Credit: Christian Wait / The Pokémon Company

Ethan's Typhlosion brings the heat, rewarding aggressive, discard-heavy playstyles with Buddy Blast's massive damage potential based on the number of Ethan's Adventure cards in your discard pile. This Illustration Rare is my favorite card from Destined Rivals, beautifully capturing the connection between Ethan and his starter Pokémon amidst the chaos of battle.

Team Rocket's Houndoom 191/182

Image Credit: Christian Wait / The Pokémon Company

Houndoom deserves more love, and this Illustration Rare delivers. Perfect for a Team Rocket set, the artwork showcases the active and aggressive style of Destined Rivals. While the energy discard on a Stage 1 card might deter some from using it in play, it's ideal for building up on your bench for a quick hit and retreat.

Should You Buy Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals?

Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals Elite Trainer Box

15See it at AmazonSee it at WalmartSee it at Target

Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals 6Pk Booster Bundle

5See it at AmazonSee it at WalmartSee it at Target

Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals Booster Box (36 Packs)

12See it at AmazonSee it at Walmart

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet Destined Rivals 3Pk Booster

5See it at Walmart

Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals Sleeved Booster

3See it at Best Buy

I believe Destined Rivals is a must-buy, but with a significant caveat: if you can actually find it in stock. It rejuvenates the thrill of opening packs, makes deck-building more exciting, and features some of the best-looking cards in the Scarlet and Violet era. Collectors, competitive players, and anyone seeking a fun opening experience will find much to love here. Just be warned: your wallet might start plotting its own Team Rocket-level revenge.