Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals Preorder Guide – Release Date, Where to Buy, and What’s Included

Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals preorders are back in stock at Walmart, here's how to secure the new expansion before its release on May 30, 2025.

May 1, 2025 - 09:20
 0
Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals Preorder Guide – Release Date, Where to Buy, and What’s Included

Pokémon TCG’s next big release, Destined Rivals, is out this month, and preorders are finally back in stock at Walmart. Stock has been going in and out of stock all morning, so YMMV.

You'll need to log in and join the queue for each set available: ETBs, Booster Bundles, and 3-Pack Blisters. Prices will be automatically adjusted at checkout.

Destined Rivals US Preorders

Destined Rivals Brings Back Classic Villains and Stunning New Cards

Team Rocket returns to stir up trouble once again, Trainers' signature Pokémon are back in the spotlight, and the card art? Some of the slickest in years. Whether you're chasing eye-catching collectibles or just addicted to the thrill of cracking a fresh pack, Destined Rivals is engineered to tempt you.

When Does Destined Rivals Release?

Mark your calendar: the full set launches on May 30, 2025. That’s when sealed products officially hit shelves—stock willing. The Pokémon Company seems to be improving on shortages, but if history’s any guide, don’t count on leftovers.

Between May 17–25, pre-release events will pop up at select stores, offering early access via Build & Battle boxes and small-scale tournaments. Want in? Talk to your local league store yesterday. And maybe bring snacks—you’re negotiating with gatekeepers now.

What’s in the Destined Rivals Lineup?

We all tell ourselves we’ll buy just one item. That’s adorable. Here’s everything that’ll test your willpower on launch day:

  • Booster Packs
  • Booster Boxes (36 packs)
  • Elite Trainer Box
  • Pokémon Center Exclusive Elite Trainer Box
  • Booster Bundle (6 packs)
  • Triple-Pack Blisters
  • Build & Battle Box
  • Build & Battle Stadium

Expect premium collection boxes too—likely with alternate art promos starring fan-favorites like Misty, Cynthia, Ethan, or Marnie. You technically don’t need them. You’ll get them anyway.

Alert: Amazon Massive TCG Restock Now Live

There's been a massive restock of Pokémon TCG thanks to Amazon pooling it's stock levels internationally.

You won't find sets like Prismatic Evolutions, but previous Scarlet and Violet / Sword and Shield sets are in stock right now.

Cards That Should Be In Destined Rivals

Here’s the full expected card list by Japanese set origin.

Heat Wave Arena

  • Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex
  • Cynthia’s Garchomp ex
  • Cynthia’s Roserade
  • Misty’s Psyduck, Staryu, Starmie, Magikarp, Gyarados, Lapras
  • Ethan’s Cyndaquil, Quilava, Typhlosion
  • Ethan’s Slugma, Magcargo
  • Hydrapple line
  • Yanmega ex
  • Zeraora, Electivire ex, Rotom, Manectric
  • Steven’s Metang (alt print)
  • Arven’s Mabostiff ex
  • Marnie’s Impidimp (alt print)
  • Applin, Dipplin
  • Ogerpon (Teal Mask, Hearthflame Mask, Wellspring Mask, Cornerstone Mask variants)
  • Cynthia’s Milotic, Feebas
  • Buizel, Floatzel, Dondozo ex
  • Dwebble, Crustle
  • Shaymin
  • Ponyta, Rapidash
  • Arven’s Toedscool, Toedscruel
  • Arven’s Maschiff, Skwovet, Greedent
  • Mudbray, Mudsdale
  • Electabuzz
  • Ethan’s Pinsir, Ethan’s Pichu
  • Trainer Cards: Judge, Ethan’s Adventure, Cynthia’s Power Weight, Sacred Ash, MC’s Hype Up, Spikemuth Gym

The Glory of Team Rocket

  • Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex
  • Team Rocket’s Spidops
  • Team Rocket’s Meowth, Persian ex
  • Team Rocket’s Porygon, Porygon2, Porygon-Z
  • Team Rocket’s Tarountula
  • Trainer Cards: Team Rocket’s Giovanni, Archer, Ariana, Receiver
  • Special Energy: Team Rocket Energy

Steven’s Starter Deck

  • Steven’s Metagross ex
  • Steven’s Skarmory, Beldum, Metang
  • Steven’s Carbink
  • Steven’s Claydol, Baltoy
  • Trainer Card: Granite Cave

Marnie’s Starter Deck

  • Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex
  • Marnie’s Impidimp, Morgrem, Liepard, Scrafty
  • Marnie’s Purrloin, Scraggy
  • Trainer Cards: Energy Recycler (reprint), Spikemuth Gym

Destined Origins Cards I’ve Got My Eye On

There’s a good chance I’ll end up with multiple binders full of these, but a few cards have already secured a permanent place in my mental wishlist.

  • Cynthia’s Garchomp ex is a power move in every sense. Big damage, hand draw, and the smug energy of someone who always gets her turn one setup. This is peak Champion energy and I want three.
  • Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex is what happens when utility and sparkle collide. The ability accelerates Fire Energy like it’s no big deal, and Shining Feather heals your whole team while smacking for 160. It’s absurd, and I’m obsessed.
  • Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex is pure drama. It refuses to attack unless you’ve built an entire Rocket-themed deck around it, but when it does, it throws energy around like a caffeinated Gengar. It’s also incredibly extra, which I respect.
  • Misty’s Psyduck is here to make you laugh and then probably lose a game in the most lovable way possible. It has an ability that lets you discard it to the top of your deck, for... reasons. I don’t care. It’s perfect.
  • Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex brings the villain vibes with an aggressive Dark-type build that thrives on energy acceleration and being just annoying enough to work. It’s a disruption deck’s dream, and I plan to run it like it’s 2020 all over again.

Pokémon TCG Single Card Deals

That's right, I'm hunting down single card deals now too. Hype it as an all time high right now, so that means prices are at their peak. That also means they're ready to bottom out at any moment, as ridiculous pricing turns buyers away eventually.

The Pokémon TCG bubble is set to burst this year, either by scalpers getting too greedy or by massive reprints. Some prices are already dropping, with Journey Together slowly calming down:

Surging Sparks Single Cards

Journey Together Single Cards

Shrouded Fable Single Cards

Temporal Forces Single Cards

Stellar Crown Single Cards

Scarlet and Violet Base Single Cards

Twilight Masquerade Single Cards

Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of "Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior". Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.