Pokémon
Team Rocket is back with a vengeance in the new Pokémon TCG expansion, Destined Rivals
“Destined Rivals” brings back Pokémon’s most iconic villains and powerful Trainer Duos.
The world of the Pokémon Trading Card Game never sleeps. Just a few weeks ago, we had the details of Journey Together in our hands, and now The Pokémon Company is giving us a preview of its next expansion, which will focus on Team Rocket.
The Return of Team Rocket
Called Destined Rivals, this new expansion focuses on the first villains we met in the Pokémon universe. Scheduled for release on May 30, 2025, it will continue the popular mechanics of Trainer Pokémon, but with an unexpected twist: We will now be able to ally ourselves with Team Rocket and his henchmen.
Among the most outstanding cards we will find heroic duos such as Ethan and Ho-Oh ex or Cynthia and Garchomp ex. But the most striking feature is the ability to fight together with Team Rocket, with cards like Mewtwo ex under Giovanni’s command. This duality between heroes and villains adds a new strategic dimension for players.
What does the Destined Rivals expansion bring?
The Scarlet and Violet-Destined Rivals expansion will include:
- 83 new cards tagged as Team Rocket’s
- 17 Pokémon ex, including 10 Trainer’s Pokémon ex
- 23 illustration rare Pokémon
- 11 special illustration rare Pokémon
- Six hyper rare gold-etched cards
Pre-Release and Availability
Players will have the opportunity to experience the new cards before their official release at the Play! Pokémon Pre-Launch Tournaments, which begin May 17 at independent retailers. In addition, the expansion will be available digitally on the Pokémon Live TCG app on May 29, allowing players to collect and battle with the new cards on iOS, Android, MacOS and Windows devices.
A line of Team Rocket-inspired apparel was also released to accompany the collection, but is currently only available in Japan.
Follow MeriStation USA on X (formerly known as Twitter). Your video game and entertainment website for all the news, updates, and breaking news from the world of video games, movies, series, manga, and anime. Previews, reviews, interviews, trailers, gameplay, podcasts and more! Follow us now!