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If you’ve been playing the Pokémon TCG or collecting cards for a while, you know how exciting a new expansion can be. Scarlet & Violet—Destined Rivals , coming on May 30, 2025, is one of those expansions you can really look forward to. As a seasoned collector, I can say that this set has all the makings of a classic. Not only because of the return of Team Rocket, but also because of the strong focus on Trainer’s Pokémon. That makes it unique.

As you know, a good set is not just about strong cards, but also about a good story. And that is certainly the case here. The nostalgia of Team Rocket combined with modern game mechanics makes for a perfect mix of old and new.

What's in this set?

Destined Rivals contains over 240 cards . And that’s not just a number; it’s a well-thought-out collection that offers a lot for players and collectors alike. Here’s what you get:

  • Over 85 Trainer's Pokémon, with a heavy focus on Team Rocket.
  • 17 Pokémon ex, 10 of which are Trainer's Pokémon.
  • More than 20 Trainer cards.
  • And over 45 cards with special illustrations.

Let's be honest, this is one of the most versatile sets we've seen in a long time.

Trainer's Pokémon That Stand Out

What makes this set extra special is the use of well-known trainers and their partner Pokémon. Think of:

  • Cynthia's Garchomp ex – a powerful card from a beloved champion.
  • Ethan's Ho-Oh ex – legendary and visually impressive.
  • Arven's Mabosstiff ex – not the most popular, but strategically interesting.
  • Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex – This card perfectly captures the spirit of the set.

However, this isn't just about nostalgia. These cards actually play a part in the game, which makes them doubly interesting.

Pokémon by Type – What to Expect?

The cards are divided by their energy type. This helps in building theme decks. Below is an overview of notable cards per type:

Grass :

  • Ethan's Pinsir
  • Cynthia's Roserade
  • Shaymin
  • Teal Mask Ogerpon

Firework :

  • Ethan's Typhlosion
  • Rapidash
  • Hearthflame Mask Ogrepon

Water :

  • Misty's Gyarados
  • Cynthia's Milotic
  • Dondozo ex
  • Wellspring Mask Ogerpon

Electric :

  • Electivire ex
  • Ethan's Picchu
  • Zeraora

Mental :

  • Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex

Fight :

  • Team Rocket's Tyranitar

Dark :

  • Team Rocket's Mimikyu

Metal :

  • Team Rocket's Ampharos

Dragon :

  • Cynthia's Garchomp ex

Colorless :

  • Ethan's Pidgeot

Also notable: many cards are variations of existing favorites. This makes it interesting to compare with previous versions, both in terms of strategy and artwork.

Rare and special cards

For the real collectors there is plenty to find. The set contains:

  • 23 Illustration Rare cards with unique illustrations.
  • 11 Special Illustration Rares with extensive artworks.
  • 6 Hyper Rare Gold-Etched cards with an exclusive gold finish.

As a collector I always look at these cards as the eye-catchers of a set. They are often the most sought after and can increase in value considerably.