Summary: The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) is set to release its latest expansion, Scarlet & Violet—Destined Rivals, on May 30, 2025. This set spotlights the infamous Team Rocket, introducing over 85 Trainer's Pokémon cards, with more than 45 featuring Team Rocket's Pokémon.
After the Japanese release of “The Glory of Team Rocket” a new English expansion has been officially revealed. The name is Destined Rivals and will contain over 240 cards.
The upcoming set will feature a mix of cards from two Japanese expansions—Heat Wave Arena and The Glory of Team Rocket—along with selections from two Japanese preconstructed decks. Most notably, it will introduce over 80 cards centered around Team Rocket, opening up exciting possibilities for powerful deck strategies built around the infamous villainous group.
Key Features of the Destined Rivals Expansion
This set will include
Notable inclusions are Giovanni's Mewtwo ex, Cynthia's Garchomp ex, Ethan's Ho-Oh ex, and Arven's Mabosstiff ex, offering players diverse strategies and deck-building opportunities. Destined Rivals will include more than 240 cards including:
Over 85 Trainer’s Pokémon, including over 45 Team Rocket’s Pokémon
- 17 Pokémon ex, including 10 Trainer’s Pokémon ex
- More than 20 Trainer cards
- More than 45 Pokémon and Trainer cards with special illustrations
- 83 new cards tagged as Team Rocket’s
- 23 illustration rare Pokémon
- 11 special illustration rare Pokémon
- 6 hyper rare gold-etched cards
Destined Rivals Will Be One Of The Final Sets From Scarlet & Violet
The End Of An Era
Given the timing of Destined Rivals' release, it could be the final standard set of the Scarlet & Violet era in the Pokémon TCG. The Pokémon Company has confirmed that the game will transition to the Mega Evolutions era later this year, with its launch set for August in Japan. While rumors suggest a Unova-themed special set may arrive in the summer, the May 30 release of Destined Rivals leaves room for, at most, one more Scarlet & Violet set before the era officially comes to a close.
With its strong focus on Team Rocket, Destined Rivals is expected to be one of the most highly anticipated sets of the year. Demand for the Pokémon TCG in the U.S. is already at an all-time high, further intensified by scalpers driving up scarcity. Pokémon TCG products are flying off shelves almost instantly, and Destined Rivals is likely to be among the most sought-after releases when it launches in May.
Conclusion
Destined Rivals is shaping up to be a standout set in the Pokémon TCG, bringing a strong focus on Team Rocket and an impressive lineup of over 240 cards. With its release marking the possible conclusion of the Scarlet & Violet era, anticipation is at an all-time high. Given the current demand for Pokémon TCG products, this set is expected to be a major hit when it arrives on May 30.
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About the Author
Michiel Elshout
Michiel Elshout has been living the Pokémon dream since Gen 1 — from pixelated Pikachus to TCG battles. Whether it’s playing the games, bingeing the anime, or cracking booster packs, his love for Pokémon runs deep. As the founder of PkmnInsider, Michiel’s on a mission to unite Trainers and share that passion, one Pokéfan at a time!