Everything You Need to Know About Pokémon TCG's Upcoming Destined Rivals Release

Pokémon TCG’s highly anticipated release, Destined Rivals, is nearly upon us! I’ve started organizing my display space and mentally preparing my budget, telling myself I won’t spend it all on another Elite Trainer Box that I don’t really need. This collection marks the return of Trainer’s Pokémon, brings Team Rocket back into action, and boasts some of the most stunning card art we’ve seen in a while. Whether you’re a collector of eye-catching cards or simply enjoy the thrill of card battles, this set is bound to spark excitement.

The Pokémon Center website recently experienced some “maintenance” and has since opened up preorders. If you’re not successful there, don’t worry; listings will soon be available on major retailers like Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and many others. Get ready to refresh your page as if it were a Black Friday sale to ensure you snag those battle decks. Here’s everything you need to secure your preorder this week.

Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals US Preorders - When Does Destined Rivals Officially Launch?

Mark your calendars for May 30, 2025—that’s the official launch date for the full set. All sealed products will ship and hit the shelves on that day, provided they haven’t sold out. The Pokémon Company continues to tackle supply issues, but between May 17 and 25, certain stores will host pre-release events featuring Build & Battle Boxes and early access tournaments. Interested in attending? Now’s the time to check in with your local league store—maybe even with a snack bribe!

What Products Will Launch With This Set?

Here’s what’s hitting the market when Destined Rivals drops:

• Booster Packs
• Booster Boxes (36 packs)
• Elite Trainer Box
• Pokémon Center Exclusive Elite Trainer Box
• Booster Bundle (6 packs)
• Triple-pack Blisters
• Build & Battle Box
• Build & Battle Stadium

There’s a good chance we’ll also see special collection boxes featuring alternate art promos of beloved characters like Cynthia, Misty, Ethan, or Marnie. You might convince yourself you don’t need them, but who are we kidding?

Cards That Should Be In Destined Rivals

Courtesy of the Japanese set, the expected card lineup includes:

Heat Wave Arena * Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex * Cynthia’s Garchomp ex * Cynthia’s Roserade * Misty’s Psyduck, Staryu, Starmie, Magikarp, Gyarados, Lapras * Ethan’s Cyndaquil, Quilava, Typhlosion * Ethan’s Slugma, Magcargo * Hydrapple line * Yanmega ex * Zeraora, Electivire ex, Rotom, Manectric * Steven’s Metang (alt print) * Arven’s Mabostiff ex * Marnie’s Impidimp (alt print) * Applin, Dipplin * Ogerpon (Teal Mask, Hearthflame Mask, Wellspring Mask, Cornerstone Mask variants) * Cynthia’s Milotic, Feebas * Buizel, Floatzel, Dondozo ex * Dwebble, Crustle * Shaymin * Ponyta, Rapidash * Arven’s Toedscool, Toedscruel * Arven’s Maschiff, Skwovet, Greedent * Mudbray, Mudsdale * Electabuzz * Ethan’s Pinsir, Ethan’s Pichu * Trainer Cards: Judge, Ethan’s Adventure, Cynthia’s Power Weight, Sacred Ash, MC’s Hype Up, Spikemuth Gym

The Glory of Team Rocket * Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex * Team Rocket’s Spidops * Team Rocket’s Meowth, Persian ex * Team’s Rocket’s Porygon, Porygon2, Porygon-Z * Team Rocket’s Tarountula * Trainer Cards: Team Rocket’s Giovanni, Archer, Ariana, Receiver * Special Energy: Team Rocket Energy

Steven’s Starter Deck * Steven’s Metagross ex * Steven’s Skarmory, Beldum, Metang * Steven’s Carbink * Steven’s Claydol, Baltoy * Trainer Card: Granite Cave

Marnie’s Starter Deck * Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex * Marnie’s Impidimp, Morgrem, Liepard, Scrafty * Marnie’s Purrloin, Scraggy * Trainer Cards: Energy Recycler (reprint), Spikemuth Gym

Destined Rivals Cards I’m Eager For

I’m preparing to amass multiple binders of these cards, but some already have a reserved spot on my wish list:

• Cynthia’s Garchomp ex is a powerhouse: dealing massive damage, drawing cards, and exuding the confidence of someone always getting her perfect play. I need three.
• Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex blends utility and elegance—accelerating Fire Energy is a breeze, and Shining Feather heals your team while hitting hard for 160. I can’t get enough.
• Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex is epic. It requires a full Rocket-themed deck but can fling energy around like a hyper Gengar once set. It’s dramatic and I’m into it.
• Misty’s Psyduck promises laughter and unexpected losses. An ability lets you discard it to the top of your deck—why? I don’t care, it’s charming.
• Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex channels villainous charm with a dark build that excels in energy flow and annoyance—perfect for strategic disruptions. I plan to play it as if it were 2020 again.