Destined Rivals released on May 30, 2025, as part of the Scarlet & Violet era. The set has 182 regular cards and 244 cards in total, and it pulls much of its content from the Japanese sets The Glory of Team Rocket and Hot Wind Arena.
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Team Rocket is the star of the show. We love the villain lineup, the return of Trainer’s Pokémon, and the way the set pairs Pokémon ex with characters like Ethan, Misty, and Cynthia. It’s a great mix for Rocket fans, anime nostalgia lovers, and players who want something new to build around.
Destined Rivals Chase Cards, Ranked
Per booster pack, the odds listed for Destined Rivals are:
- Special Illustration Rare (SIR): about 1 in 94 to 1 in 100
- Illustration Rare: about 1 in 12
- Ultra Rare: about 1 in 16
- Double Rare (EX): about 1 in 4 to 1 in 5
- Gold: about 1 in 50 (TCGTalk) or 1 in 149 for Hyper Rare (Deltias, which doesn’t say whether that’s the same tier)
Per 36-pack box, TCGTalk estimates about 0.36 SIRs, so roughly one per three boxes. Neither source gives separate odds for Team Rocket cards, but Team Rocket’s Mewtwo SIR would fall under the SIR rate.
10. Team Rocket’s Giovanni (238/244)
A full-art Supporter card that doubles as a tribute piece, featuring the entire Team Rocket leadership: Proton, Petrel, Ariana, and Archer standing behind Giovanni. This card is essential for any Rocket fan and sees occasional competitive fringe play. The supply is moderate for a Supporter card, but demand from thematic collectors keeps it steady. Look for this to remain stable rather than spike dramatically.
9. Team Rocket’s Meowth (203/244)
A non-ex regular rare with outsized collector appeal. Meowth lounges in a softly lit office while Giovanni watches. The artwork’s noir atmosphere and subtle storytelling give it personality that resonates with vintage anime fans. As a lower rarity card, it’s an accessible entry point, yet prices hold strong due to artwork-driven demand and nostalgia weight. This is a solid spec for newer collectors with limited budgets; expect slow appreciation as Rocket fandom sustains demand.
8. Team Rocket’s Houndoom (191/244)
Mid-attack composition with a Rocket grunt in the background. Houndoom’s aggressive visual and comic-book intensity appeal to players and collectors equally. It sees some fringe play in casual Pokémon TCG decks due to thematic synergy with Rocket-focused builds. The bold illustration keeps it relevant beyond pure collector circles. Secondary market activity shows moderate volatility; high-grade copies command premiums from condition-sensitive buyers.
7. Ethan’s Typhlosion (190/244)
A Trainer-Pokémon ex pairing that captures Ethan and Typhlosion charging forward in a motion-heavy scene. Typhlosion’s enduring competitive popularity combined with Johto nostalgia makes this a steady riser. This card has dual appeal: Johto collectors who grew up with Gold/Silver and players seeking character-driven ex cards. Expect consistent demand; it’s a safer long-term hold than pure meta plays.
6. Misty’s Psyduck (193/244)
A non-ex regular rare positioned as the emotional card of the set. Misty sits peacefully with Psyduck in flowing water. The soft, illustrative, story-driven artwork attracts a specific collector segment: Kanto and anime purists and female-character collectors. It has no competitive viability, making it a pure collector play. Lower rarity keeps prices accessible, but sentiment-driven demand can fluctuate. Good for themed collections; risky as a pure investment.
5. Team Rocket’s Crobat ex (234/244)
Multiple Crobats swirl in fast-paced motion, capturing the evolution line’s historical association with Team Rocket. As an ex card with thematic relevance, it bridges collector appeal and occasional competitive play in Rocket-focused decks. The artwork’s layered, kinetic energy makes it a chase card despite Crobat’s lower tier in the current competitive meta. Prices have stabilized post-release; this is a patient hold for Rocket specialists.
4. Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex (230/244)
Deep reds, dynamic top-down composition, and wings fully extended. Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex celebrates Johto’s legacy while capturing a moment of trust between trainer and legendary. Ho-Oh collectors and Gold/Crystal nostalgists drive consistent demand. It’s not a competitive powerhouse in the current meta, but its cultural weight as a legendary icon and the emotional resonance of the artwork keep it in steady demand. High-end copies trend toward the upper price range for non-hyper-rare ex cards.
3. Cynthia’s Garchomp ex (232/244)
The set’s competitive linchpin. Garchomp ex is playable in competitive Sinnoh-themed and dragon-focused decks, and Cynthia’s status as one of the franchise’s most respected Champions ensures cultural weight. The stadium battle artwork radiates energy and appeals to both competitive players and collectors. This is the only card on this list with genuine tournament presence, making it volatile and expensive. High-grade copies command premium prices and are likely the most expensive non-hyper-rare in the set. This is a speculative play if meta shifts in Garchomp’s favor.
2. Team Rocket’s Moltres ex (229/244)
Flames trail its wings with Archer posed confidently in the background. The card is aggressive, stylish, and rich with villain energy. As a Team Rocket ex card, it appeals to both thematic collectors and players seeking Rocket-synergy cards. The flowing lines and dramatic lighting make it one of the most eye-catching cards in the set. Secondary market prices have held strong post-release; this is a steady mid-tier chase card that benefits from Rocket set momentum. Less volatile than Garchomp but more stable than pure collector plays.
1. Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex (231/244)
The crown jewel. Mewtwo appears brooding and cinematic, allied with Giovanni in an emotionally rich scene inspired by The Glory of Team Rocket. This card is expensive for good reason: it’s a hyper-rare gold card with limited pull rate, the thematic apex of the Team Rocket narrative, and carries cultural weight as one of the franchise’s most iconic legendaries. Competitive players may dabble, but collectors and speculators drive the real demand. Expect this to remain the most expensive card in Destined Rivals across all grades. High-grade copies are investment-tier.
Is Destined Rivals Worth Buying or Holding?
We think Destined Rivals is a strong set for both collectors and players. The Team Rocket focus gives it a cohesive, story-driven feel that appeals to anime purists, thematic builders, and competitive players alike. The Trainer’s Pokémon pairings add emotional depth and widen the appeal beyond hardcore TCG fans. Garchomp ex is the only card here with real tournament presence, so it’s the riskiest pick. Mewtwo ex (#231) and the hyper rare Mewtwo ex (#240) are the strongest long-term holds for collectors, and the Ho-Oh and Moltres Special Illustration Rares have shown steady demand.
For most people, buying singles you want is a smarter move than buying sealed product, and booster boxes are best for anyone who enjoys opening packs for the fun of it. Overall, we see Destined Rivals as a solid mid-tier set for investors. It isn’t a runaway hit, but it’s unlikely to crash either, and the artwork and theme make it a worthwhile chase for anyone who loves Team Rocket.
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