The Pokémon Company has officially announced Destined Rivals, a new expansion for the Pokémon Trading Card Game, scheduled for release on May 30, 2025. The set will feature over 240 cards, including Trainer’s Pokémon from popular characters like Giovanni, Misty, Ethan, Cynthia, Marnie, and Steven Stone.
A major highlight is Giovanni’s Mewtwo EX, a Hyper Rare Gold Card with 280 HP and a powerful Deletion Sphere attack, which can only be activated when four Team Rocket Pokémon are in play. Other standout cards include Ethan’s Ho-Oh EX, which boosts Fire Energy acceleration, and Cynthia’s Garchomp EX, offering enhanced draw capabilities.
The expansion combines content from Japan’s Heat Wave Arena and the upcoming The Glory of Team Rocket sets, and will include:
- 83 Team Rocket-themed cards
- 17 Pokémon EX cards (including 10 Trainer’s Pokémon EX)
- 23 illustration rare cards
- 11 special illustration rare cards
- 6 hyper rare gold-etched cards
Pre-release events will take place from May 17 to May 25 at local game stores, giving players early access to the new set. Products will be sold through Pokémon Center, Walmart, GameStop, Target, and other major retailers.
Although Team Rocket plays a major role in this expansion, iconic characters Jessie and James are notably absent—likely due to their reduced presence in recent Pokémon media.
With its rich card selection and the revival of Team Rocket elements, Destined Rivals is shaping up to be a major addition to the Pokémon TCG lineup in 2025.
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