Early showcases of the Destined Rivals set for the Pokémon Trading Card Game have started, and their good reviews may mean bad news. The Pokémon TCG continues to dominate the trading card platform, arguably claiming the throne. Even with mainstays like Magic The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh, or even rising stars like Disney Lorcana, the TCG based on the beloved creature-catching franchise seems to remain popular on numerous fronts. It also helps that the franchise has many media avenues that help generate ideas and new products.

The Pokémon TCG started 2025 off amazingly well with the Prismatic Evolutions set. This set, largely based around the beloved Eeveelutions, quickly sold out and needed immediate reprints. It is understandable why, given how amazing the TCG's art has continued to be, and the main features of this set. However, this also came with massive issues of scalping that has made collecting for less hardcore fans difficult, and this unfortunate trend may continue with Destined Rivals.

Destined Rivals Cards Show Of Team Rocket & More

A Blast From The Past

Early showcases for Destined Rivals show the set will largely be based around the franchise's most popular trainers, along with the original villain organization, Team Rocket. The former alone is huge news, as the TCG returns to its roots with arguably the fan-favorite evil team. This may also feel like fresh breath for older fans who have grown tired of the more lackluster bad guys the recent generations have introduced.

Trainer-wise, cards from the Japanese "set of the decade" Heat Wave seem to be part of Destined Rivals. So far, Cynthia, Steven, and Marnie have all been showcased in Full Art cards. These three alone are some of the most recognizable and popular trainers in the franchise. Given the title of the set, it would make sense that even more big names are added to the collection. Given the franchise is closing in on Generation 10, which still has a chance to release this year, this set could be a monument to how far Pokémon has come.

While the rest of the cards are unknown, the booster pack art gives some insight into what to expect, including the likely appearance of Team Rocket Executives like Ariana, Archer, Petrel and Proton. Regardless of who does or doesn't appear, it is already clear that Team Rocket will be the headliner of this new set.

Destined Rivals Cards Will Be Highly Sought After

For Competition And Collection

Given what is going to be included with Destined Rivals, along with the high collectibility of the franchise, this set may reach the same level as Prismatic Evolutions, if not higher. The obvious first reason for this is the resale value of all the products, let alone the cards themselves. The former are geared mainly towards collectors who want to hold onto products, or resell quickly to those who missed their chance. Whereas individual cards are usually sold to competitive players based on their strength, collectors also play a role.

Cards that are already predicated to be popular collector grabs include Full-Art Beldum with Steven, Full-Art Rosarade with Cynthia, Full-Art Ho-Oh with Ethan, and Full-Art Morpeko with Marnie. Competitive cards are much harder to predict and can vary based on where the meta shifts. However, some early cards that may see good usage include Ho-Oh ex, Garchomp ex, Marnie's Grimmsnarl ex, and Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex.

Scalping May Be A Problem For Destined Rivals

The Side Effect Of Success

As with Prismatic Evolutions, it is likely that Destined Rivals will have a scalping issue. While cruel, scalping is not technically illegal when it comes to trading cards. However, this issue largely comes from individual sellers and not large chains themselves. Regardless, since most stores sell out of new Pokémon TCG products the day shelves are stocked, it then becomes an issue for those not fast enough.

Many stores have tried to help combat this, along with reducing the chaos inside, by altering policies and setting purchase limits. Unfortunately, this has not helped enough to stem the tide of scalping. Recently, GameStop even went as far as stopping the ability to pre-order Pokémon TCG products. This move is on the more extreme end, but given where the situation has gone, it is semi-understandable.

Unfortunately, there is no one way to remove scalping. The best thing buyers can do is avoid buying from scalpers and know the market prices. If something is wildly above the market price, it is best to avoid it and, by doing this, it will hopefully lower the prices scalpers use. The other method is just to have patience and wait for products to be in lower demand.

Pokémon has also tried to help combat scalping by reprinting popular sets and products, but this comes with its own issues. Mainly that it may still have some scalping at first due to the limitations, and that the more cards are printed, the less value each one has regardless of the rarity. Given how things went with Prismatic Evolutions, there is also the chance Destined Rivals starts with more product printed to smooth out issues.

Overall, it is unfortunate that a consecutive top-tier set is likely to be marred by scalping. Even if fans do eventually get the products they desire, it may not be immediate. At least this time around, it looks like both Pokémon and stores will have more effective methods that should at least lessen scalping. Regardless, Destined Rivals is gearing up to be the next hit of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, even if it does suffer the same fate as Prismatic Evolutions.