Destined Rivals Guide: Team Rocket Chase Cards, Card List and Products

Destined Rivals is the Scarlet & Violet expansion that brought Team Rocket back to the Pokémon Trading Card Game in a big way. Released on 30 May 2025, it pits heroic duos like Ethan and Ho-Oh ex and Cynthia and Garchomp ex against Giovanni and Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex, with 83 cards tagged as Team Rocket’s.

In this guide we cover how the set works, the full list of Special Illustration Rares and gold cards, the rarity breakdown, the sealed products and how to choose between them. Every number and card name comes from official Pokémon announcements and trusted card databases.

What Is Pokémon Destined Rivals?

Pokémon Destined Rivals (SV10) is a main expansion from the Scarlet & Violet series and one of the largest sets of the era. According to the official Pokémon media alert, it features the return of the Trainer’s Pokémon mechanic “with a twist”, adding the villainous Team Rocket alongside heroic Trainers and their partner Pokémon.

The English set draws on two Japanese releases: The Glory of Team Rocket (also translated as Glory of the Rocket Gang) and Heat Wave Arena (also translated as Hot Wind Arena). Combining them produced a big card list, with 182 cards in the main set and 244 in total once the secret rares are included.

Quick fact	Detail
Set name	Scarlet & Violet—Destined Rivals
Set code	SV10
Prerelease events	From 17 May 2025
Pokémon TCG Live	29 May 2025
Worldwide release	30 May 2025
Main set	182 cards
Total	244 cards
Team Rocket’s cards	83
Pokémon ex	17 (10 are Trainer’s Pokémon ex)
Japanese sources	The Glory of Team Rocket, Heat Wave Arena
Headline card	Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex

Team Rocket and the Trainer’s Pokémon Mechanic

Trainer’s Pokémon cards show a Pokémon partnered with a specific Trainer, with the Trainer’s name printed as part of the card name. The mechanic first appeared back in Gym Heroes and returned earlier in 2025 in Journey Together. Destined Rivals takes it further by adding Team Rocket as its own faction, so you can build around Team Rocket’s Pokémon or side with the heroes.

The official set description lists more than 85 Trainer’s Pokémon, including over 45 Team Rocket’s Pokémon. Players can choose between heroic duos such as Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex, Cynthia’s Garchomp ex and Arven’s Mabosstiff ex, or join Giovanni and his Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex. Steven’s Pokémon also appear, including Steven’s Baltoy, Steven’s Claydol and Steven’s Carbink.

Why the Team Rocket theme matters

Team Rocket has a long history in the card game, going back to the original Team Rocket expansion in 2000. For many long-time fans, seeing Giovanni, Mewtwo and the Rocket “R” back on cards brings back strong memories, which is a big part of why Pokémon Destined Rivals attracted so much attention from collectors who had not opened packs in years.

Tip: If you collect by theme, sort your Destined Rivals cards into Team Rocket’s and hero piles as you open them. It makes the binder far easier to organise later, and the two sides look great on facing pages.

Destined Rivals Release Date and Timeline

The set reached shelves worldwide on 30 May 2025. Prerelease tournaments ran as part of Play! Pokémon from 17 May 2025 at participating independent stores, and Pokémon TCG Live players could use the cards from 29 May 2025, a day before the physical launch.

On release day, booster packs came in four artworks featuring Team Rocket’s Mewtwo, Ethan’s Ho-Oh, Cynthia’s Garchomp and Team Rocket. The wider line-up also included Rival Battle Decks for Marnie and Steven, released on 16 May 2025, plus collections such as the Team Rocket’s Moltres ex Ultra Premium Collection and the Cynthia’s Garchomp ex Premium Collection.

Destined Rivals is now well over a year old, and the Pokémon TCG has since moved into the Mega Evolution series. If you are catching up on recent sets, our Pokémon Pitch Black and Delta Reign guides cover the latest releases.

Destined Rivals Card List: Rarity Breakdown

The full Destined Rivals card list runs to 244 cards. The official release confirms 17 Pokémon ex, 23 Illustration Rares, 11 Special Illustration Rares and six gold-etched Hyper Rares, plus more than 20 Trainer cards and over 45 cards with special illustrations. Here is how the numbering breaks down, based on Serebii and Bulbapedia.

Section	Card numbers	What’s there
Main set	001 to 182	Commons, Uncommons, Rares and Double Rare Pokémon ex
Illustration Rares and Ultra Rares	183 to 227	23 Illustration Rares plus full-art Ultra Rares
Special Illustration Rares	228 to 238	11 cards: eight Pokémon ex and three Trainers
Hyper Rares (gold)	239 to 244	6 gold-etched cards

Pokémon does not publish official pull rates, so treat any figures you see online as community estimates. With 62 cards above the main set number, completing the secret rares takes patience, and many collectors trade for the last few rather than chasing them through packs.

Pokémon ex in the main set

The main set includes a wide spread of Pokémon ex. Confirmed examples from the checklist include Yanmega ex (003), Arboliva ex (023), Rabsca ex (025), Team Rocket’s Moltres ex (031), Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex (039), Cetitan ex (065), Dondozo ex (066), Electivire ex (069) and Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex (081). Team Rocket’s Wobbuffet (082) sits right next to Mewtwo, which fans of the anime will appreciate.

The Best Destined Rivals Chase Cards

The 11 Special Illustration Rares are the main reason collectors open this set. They show Pokémon and Trainers in full-card scenes, and several feature the Trainer alongside their partner Pokémon. The table below also shows which side of the rivalry each card belongs to, which is handy if you are collecting one faction.

Number	Card	Side
228/182	Yanmega ex	Neutral
229/182	Team Rocket’s Moltres ex	Team Rocket
230/182	Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex	Hero
231/182	Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex	Team Rocket
232/182	Cynthia’s Garchomp ex	Hero
233/182	Team Rocket’s Nidoking ex	Team Rocket
234/182	Team Rocket’s Crobat ex	Team Rocket
235/182	Arven’s Mabosstiff ex	Hero
236/182	Ethan’s Adventure	Hero
237/182	Team Rocket’s Ariana	Team Rocket
238/182	Team Rocket’s Giovanni	Team Rocket

Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex

Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex is the face of the set. It leads the official marketing, appears on the Elite Trainer Box artwork with Giovanni and gets both a Special Illustration Rare (231/182) and a gold Hyper Rare (240/182). Mewtwo has always been one of the most collected Pokémon, and its connection to Giovanni goes all the way back to the early anime and films, so this pairing has broad appeal.

The heroes: Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex and Cynthia’s Garchomp ex

On the hero side, Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex and Cynthia’s Garchomp ex both get a Special Illustration Rare and a gold Hyper Rare. Cynthia has been a fan favourite since Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, and Ho-Oh carries plenty of nostalgia from the Johto games. Arven’s Mabosstiff ex rounds out the hero Pokémon with a Special Illustration Rare of its own.

Trainer Special Illustration Rares

The three Trainer Special Illustration Rares are Ethan’s Adventure, Team Rocket’s Ariana and Team Rocket’s Giovanni. Giovanni in particular is a natural partner for the Mewtwo cards, and many collectors display the two side by side. Because they are Trainer cards, these Destined Rivals cards can also be played in decks, so players and collectors often end up chasing the same copies.

Illustration Rares and Ultra Rares

Between the main set and the Special Illustration Rares sit cards 183 to 227. The official count confirms 23 Illustration Rare Pokémon in this range, each showing a Pokémon in a detailed full-art scene, alongside full-art Ultra Rare Pokémon ex and Trainer cards. These tiers are where many collectors find personal favourites, and they are usually easier to complete than the Special Illustration Rares, which makes them a good first goal for a Destined Rivals card list binder.

Gold Hyper Rares in Destined Rivals

The set closes with six gold-etched Hyper Rares numbered 239 to 244: four Pokémon ex and two Trainer cards. All four of the Pokémon ex also have Special Illustration Rares, so fans of those Pokémon have two premium versions to chase. Here is the full list:

• 239/182 Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex
• 240/182 Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex
• 241/182 Cynthia’s Garchomp ex
• 242/182 Team Rocket’s Crobat ex
• 243/182 Jamming Tower
• 244/182 Levincia

Gold cards are a matter of taste. Some collectors prefer the illustrated Special Illustration Rares, while others love the shine of a gold card in a top loader. If you are a Mewtwo, Ho-Oh, Garchomp or Crobat fan, you have both versions to chase, which makes these some of the most popular Destined Rivals chase cards for single-Pokémon collectors.

Destined Rivals Sealed Products Explained

Destined Rivals is a main expansion, so unlike many special sets it comes in full booster boxes as well as Elite Trainer Boxes and bundles. Each booster pack contains 10 cards. Here is how the sealed products we carry compare.

Product	What’s inside	Best for
Destined Rivals Booster Box	36 booster packs	Master set chasers, big openings
Destined Rivals Elite Trainer Box	9 booster packs, Team Rocket’s Wobbuffet full-art promo, 65 sleeves, 45 Energy cards, player’s guide, dice, markers, storage box	Players, gifts, promo collectors
Destined Rivals Booster Bundle	6 booster packs	A smaller opening
Booster Box Sealed Case	6 booster boxes	Group breaks, serious collectors
ETB Case	10 Elite Trainer Boxes	Sealed collectors, clubs

Booster box: 36 packs

The Destined Rivals Booster Box is the most pack-dense way to open the set. With a 182-card main set, 36 packs give you a solid base of Commons, Uncommons and Rares plus a good spread of Pokémon ex, and the best chance of landing several secret rares in one go. It is the natural choice for anyone working towards a full set.

Elite Trainer Box: packs plus a Wobbuffet promo

The Destined Rivals Elite Trainer Box features Giovanni and Mewtwo on the lid. It follows the standard Scarlet & Violet Elite Trainer Box format, so inside you can expect nine booster packs, a full-art foil Team Rocket’s Wobbuffet promo, 65 card sleeves, 45 Energy cards, a player’s guide, six damage-counter dice, a coin-flip die, two condition markers, a storage box with four dividers and a Pokémon TCG Live code card. It is the go-to pick for new players and gift buyers.

Booster bundle: 6 packs

The Destined Rivals Booster Bundle is the simple option, with six booster packs and no accessories. It suits collectors who already have sleeves and dice and just want to open a few packs, and it makes an easy gift for a player who already owns a storage box and the basic gear.

Sealed cases

For bigger buyers, the booster box sealed case holds six booster boxes and the ETB case holds ten Elite Trainer Boxes. Cases stay in their original outer packaging, which suits clubs, group breaks and collectors who keep product sealed. They also make it simple to split boxes between friends who want to open the set together.

Which Destined Rivals Product Should You Buy?

The right product depends on what you want from the set. Think about whether you are after packs, a promo, accessories or a sealed item to keep, and whether the cards are for playing, collecting or both. Here is a quick way to decide:

• You want the full set: the booster box gives you 36 packs, the most of any single box.
• You want the Wobbuffet promo: it comes with the Elite Trainer Box.
• You are new to the game: the Elite Trainer Box includes sleeves, Energy, dice and a storage box.
• You want a few packs: the booster bundle has six packs and nothing else.
• You run a club or group break: a sealed case keeps everything in factory packaging.

Many collectors combine products, opening a booster box for the main set and adding an Elite Trainer Box for the promo and storage. For a deeper look at how booster boxes compare across sets and languages, read our Pokémon booster box buying guide.

Destined Rivals vs the Japanese Sets

Because the English set combines The Glory of Team Rocket and Heat Wave Arena, the Japanese and English card lists do not line up one to one. The English version brings both Japanese releases together under one numbering system, which is why it ends up so large. Japanese sets also use their own rarity symbols, pack sizes and box formats.

Some collectors buy both, keeping Japanese cards for their print quality and presentation while using English cards for local play. If you want to learn how Japanese and English releases relate, read our Japanese Pokémon cards guide, or browse our Japanese Pokémon booster box range.

If you enjoyed the big Scarlet & Violet releases of 2025, our Prismatic Evolutions guide covers the Eevee-themed special set released earlier that year. It is a very different kind of set, with no booster boxes and a long list of collections, so it makes an interesting comparison with a main expansion like this one.

Collecting Destined Rivals Cards in 2026

With 244 cards, this is a long set to complete, so a bit of organisation helps. The set is also well over a year old, so many collectors are now filling the last gaps rather than opening fresh product. A few tips for collectors in 2026:

• Use a large binder. A 182-card main set plus 62 secret rares needs plenty of pockets, so choose a binder with room to grow.
• Group by side. Team Rocket’s cards on one side and heroes on the other makes a satisfying display.
• Protect the gold cards. Gold-etched Hyper Rares scratch easily, so sleeve and top-load them straight away.
• Store sealed product carefully. Keep boxes in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, especially through an Australian summer.
• Collect for enjoyment. Values change over time, so buy the cards and products you love.

Players should also check the regulation mark on each card before building a tournament deck, as the Standard format rotates over time and older marks drop out. Collectors, of course, can enjoy every one of the Destined Rivals cards regardless of format, and the Team Rocket theme looks just as good in a binder as it does on the table.

Destined Rivals FAQ

When was Destined Rivals released?

Destined Rivals was released worldwide on 30 May 2025. Prerelease events started on 17 May 2025 at participating stores, and the cards arrived in Pokémon TCG Live on 29 May 2025. The Marnie and Steven Rival Battle Decks came out slightly earlier, on 16 May 2025.

How many cards are in Destined Rivals?

There are 244 cards in total: 182 in the main set and 62 numbered above it. These include 23 Illustration Rares, 11 Special Illustration Rares and six gold-etched Hyper Rares, along with 17 Pokémon ex and 83 cards tagged as Team Rocket’s.

What are the best Destined Rivals chase cards?

Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex leads the set, with a Special Illustration Rare (231/182) and a gold Hyper Rare (240/182). Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex and Cynthia’s Garchomp ex also have both versions and are among the most popular chase cards. The Team Rocket’s Giovanni Special Illustration Rare pairs naturally with the Mewtwo cards.

What promo comes in the Elite Trainer Box?

The Destined Rivals Elite Trainer Box includes a full-art foil Team Rocket’s Wobbuffet promo. It follows the standard Scarlet & Violet Elite Trainer Box format of nine booster packs, 65 sleeves, 45 Energy cards, dice, condition markers, a player’s guide, a storage box and a Pokémon TCG Live code card.

Which Japanese sets is Destined Rivals based on?

Destined Rivals combines cards from two Japanese releases, The Glory of Team Rocket and Heat Wave Arena. That is why the English set is larger than either Japanese set on its own and numbered differently, so card numbers will not match between the two languages.

Ready to join Team Rocket or stand with the heroes? Browse our English Pokémon Booster Boxes, Pokémon Elite Trainer Boxes and Pokémon Booster Bundles for the full Destined Rivals range. Every product is 100% authentic and officially licensed, priced in Australian dollars and shipped Australia-wide. For more set guides, visit the Ozzie Collectables blog, and if you have any questions, contact us.