About Destined Rivals
Destined Rivals is the Scarlet & Violet main set where Team Rocket returns in force, led by Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex. It was released in the UK and worldwide on 30 May 2025. It has 244 cards (182 plus 62 secret rares), more than 85 Trainer's Pokémon, and is sold in 36-pack booster boxes as well as Elite Trainer Boxes.
Destined Rivals UK release date
Destined Rivals launched worldwide on 30 May 2025. Prerelease events ran over the weekends of 17–18 and 24–25 May 2025, and some of its cards appeared early in the Marnie and Steven Rival Battle Decks from 16 May 2025.
How many cards are in Destined Rivals?
The set continues the Trainer's Pokémon theme from Journey Together on a bigger scale. It has over 85 Trainer's Pokémon, more than 45 of them Team Rocket's cards, and 17 Pokémon ex, 10 of which are Trainer's Pokémon ex. Alongside Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex, the headliners are Cynthia's Garchomp ex, Ethan's Ho-Oh ex and Arven's Mabosstiff ex. The English set combines cards from the Japanese Hot Wind Arena and Glory of the Rocket Gang sets.
| Part of the set | Cards |
|---|---|
| Main set (numbered up to 182) | 182 |
| Illustration Rares | 23 |
| Ultra Rares | 22 |
| Special Illustration Rares | 11 |
| Hyper Rares (gold-etched) | 6 |
| Total including secret rares | 244 |
Destined Rivals products and what is inside
Destined Rivals is a full main set, so it has both 36-pack and 18-pack booster displays as well as Elite Trainer Boxes, Booster Bundles and blisters. The booster wraps show Cynthia's Garchomp, Team Rocket, Giovanni's Mewtwo and Ethan's Ho-Oh. Our guide to Pokémon TCG product types compares the boxes, and our sealed products show what is in stock.
Destined Rivals chase cards
Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex appears as both a Special Illustration Rare and a Hyper Rare. Team Rocket's Supporters, Giovanni and Ariana, also have Special Illustration Rares. See Pokémon card rarities explained for what the symbols mean.
Which product suits you?
- 1.
Opening for fun
Packs, blisters or a Booster Bundle (6 packs).
- 2.
Opening a lot
An 18-pack or 36-pack booster display.
- 3.
Collecting Team Rocket
With 45+ Team Rocket's cards, a Rocket-only binder is a popular way to collect this set. Fill it with singles, and sell us your spares.
- 4.
Keeping it sealed
Store sealed product cool and dry. We give no investment advice or price predictions.
Destined Rivals FAQs
When did Destined Rivals come out in the UK?
On 30 May 2025, with prereleases from 17 May.
Is there a Destined Rivals booster box?
Yes. It is a main set, with a 36-pack booster display and an 18-pack display.
How many cards are in Destined Rivals?
244: 182 in the numbered set and 62 secret rares.
What is the Destined Rivals ETB promo?
A full-art foil Team Rocket's Wobbuffet.
What came next?
The split special sets Black Bolt and White Flare on 18 July 2025.
Chase cards
| Card | Number | Rarity | Why collectors want it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex | 231/182 | Special Illustration Rare | The set's headline card: Mewtwo under Giovanni's command. |
| Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex | 240/182 | Hyper Rare | The gold-etched version of the headliner. |
| Cynthia's Garchomp ex | 232/182 | Special Illustration Rare | Cynthia is one of the series' best-loved Champions. |
| Ethan's Ho-Oh ex | 230/182 | Special Illustration Rare | A Johto Legendary paired with the Gold and Silver hero. |
| Team Rocket's Moltres ex | 229/182 | Special Illustration Rare | A Kanto Legendary bird in Team Rocket's hands. |
| Team Rocket's Giovanni | 238/182 | Special Illustration Rare | The Team Rocket boss as a Supporter Special Illustration Rare. |
| Team Rocket's Ariana | 237/182 | Special Illustration Rare | Completes the Team Rocket Supporter pair. |
Products and what’s inside
- Booster pack
- 10 cards. Also sold sleeved and in 1-pack and 3-pack blisters.
- Elite Trainer Box
- 9 booster packs, a full-art foil Team Rocket's Wobbuffet promo and the standard accessories.
- Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box
- 11 booster packs, 2 full-art foil Team Rocket's Wobbuffet promos (one with the Pokémon Center logo), 65 sleeves, 45 Energy cards, player's guide, 6 damage-counter dice, coin-flip die, 2 condition markers, storage box with 4 dividers and a TCG Live code card. Pokémon Center only.
- Booster Bundle
- 6 booster packs.
- Booster Display Box
- 36 booster packs (an 18-pack display was also listed).
- Build & Battle Box
- A ready-to-play 40-card deck and 4 booster packs, with 1 of 4 promos (Ethan's Typhlosion, Misty's Gyarados, Team Rocket's Mimikyu or Team Rocket's Tyranitar). Sold for prereleases from 17 May 2025.
Sources
- Bulbapedia: Destined Rivals (TCG), read 16 October 2026
- Bulbapedia: Destined Rivals Build & Battle Box (TCG), read 16 October 2026
- Bulbapedia: SVP Black Star Promos (ETB promo cards), read 16 October 2026
- PokéGuardian: Scarlet & Violet - Destined Rivals officially revealed, read 16 October 2026
- TCGdex API: Destined Rivals set (card counts), read 16 October 2026
- TCGdex API: Destined Rivals card list, read 16 October 2026
Last updated 16 October 2026.