The Pokémon Company has officially announced the worldwide release of the Scarlet & Violet: Destined Rivals expansion for the Pokémon TCG, scheduled for May 30th. The new expansion marks the return of Team Rocket to card battles, reigniting the rivalry between heroes and villains that has captivated generations of players. Featuring new cards and a narrative centered on the clash between pairs of Trainers, the new collection promises to impact both veterans and newcomers to the game.
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The expansion brings back the Trainer's Pokémon mechanic, which now reinforces the bond between Trainers and their Pokémon. Each Trainer's Pokémon card will feature the Trainer's name in the artwork, highlighting the connection between them and offering new strategic possibilities. One of the biggest highlights is the presence of Team Rocket in force, with characters like Giovanni and creatures like Mewtwo ex leading the dark side of the confrontations.
Expansion increases the number of cards and strengthens the bond between characters
With a total of 83 new cards marked with the Team Rocket seal, the set will also feature 17 ex-Pokémon—10 of which are Trainer's ex-Pokémon—as well as 23 rare-illustrated Pokémon, 11 special-rare-illustrated Pokémon, and six hyper-rare versions with gold trim. This diversity expands the range of strategies available to players and strengthens the collectible aspect of the game, one of the pillars of the TCG's success.
Heroic duos like Ethan and Ho-Oh ex, or Cynthia and Garchomp ex, will face off against classic villains in themed battles. The Pokémon Company's idea is to let players choose sides and build decks based on this rivalry. This approach breathes new life into the game's dynamics and reinforces the narrative between the characters, without sacrificing competitiveness.
Products come in different formats and will be tested in tournaments before launch.
The company will distribute Destined Rivals in booster packs, Elite Trainer boxes, and themed collections. However, before the official release, players will have the chance to test the new cards in Prerelease tournaments, which will take place starting May 17th within the Play! Pokémon program. These events are traditional in the franchise's calendar and often bring together communities of players to test strategies firsthand.
Alongside the launch, The Pokémon Company will release a new line of Team Rocket-inspired merchandise. The company will also launch the collection alongside the Japanese expansion Pokémon: The Glory of Team Rocket, which will bring new content centered around the classic villains. This reinforces the brand's nostalgic appeal while still tapping into its current audience.
