Pokémon TCG: Destined Competitor Preview
Blog Andrew Joseph 17 May , 2025 0
Released on May 30, 2025, latest Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet expansion, Destined to be a competitor, Has become one of the biggest card games ever. And worth it.
I managed to do an early practice with the set, let me just say: The doomed competitor is great. It's safe to say that this is one of my best times to open the cards in years.
These illustrations are the best I've ever seen. Extended play more coach Pokémon cards, including Ethan, Pokémon Gold and silver The protagonist, bringing back more nostalgia than I can handle. It feels like what Pokémon TCG needs.
Destined competitor More than just a trip along the memory trail. This is the real evolution of the game. From the possibility of a new coach's Pokémon opening up the deck-building possibilities to a better way to pull the rate, the set feels like they finally figured out what collectors and players want again.
After this, it can be considered Pokémon Stock Problems And set Tough rate (Although Journey together Initially starting to move things in the right direction).
I've been planning which decks to build and cards I want to doubles (or triple) and I haven't felt that way for a while. And if inventory levels can eventually be classified with the entire TCG this year, I think most trainers will have a hard time resisting this combination.
Where to buy
Unboxing and impression
I got some good choices Destined competitor Thanks to Pokémon Company: a building and battle box, booster bundle, elite trainer box and a complete booster box. I want to preview that opening all of this makes more sense than the past few sets.
Each product has its highlights, and it does feel like I'm hitting a card worthy of excitement, not just shrugs and keep moving forward.
The building and battle box will set the tone as early as possible. There are four booster packs, a stamped promotional card (Rocket's Tyrainitar for me) and 40 card decks. I took out a front card and an illustration from the four packs, and if you ask me, it would be halfway.
Building a quick deck from the included cards is very fun, especially since the coach's Pokémon mechanic even makes the starter deck feel more delicious than usual. Ask four teams of the Rockets to Tyranitar Holo!
Sadly, I didn’t pull too much out of the elite training box. But I did get nine booster packs, sleeves, dice, marks and rockets Wobbuffet promotional cards. This ETB looks great in my opinion. Red and black team rocket designs are better in person.
I think this ETB is easily one of the strongest ETBs we've seen lately, although like any Pokémon TCG set, Chase Cards has 50% luck based on a nice set. So I'm very unfortunate.
But the booster bundle keeps the momentum going. There are only six booster packs, no extra extra features, that's just me with Pokégods. I pulled a few EXs and my favorite card, Ethan's Typhlosian IR.
What an amazing card, so much action and detail, still manages to show the bond between Ethan and the profiteering. I think if you want to quickly hit this fresh excitement without breaking your wallet, the booster bundle is one of the most valuable products.
The booster box is the finale, and it's exactly what I hoped for. I pulled multiple front cards, a gold medal, a gentleman and a few illustrations rare, which made the whole opening exciting from beginning to end.
It seems to me that the booster box can still feel like an activity, not just 36 packs, hoping for a nice blow. If I were to get one of these products again, I would go all out.
But what about my first impression of the new extension? OK, for me jumping around Destined competitor How good the illustrations are. The card feels more active now.
Even the commons are expressive enough that I find myself watching them instead of immediately putting them in a bulk pile. It's a small but powerful change that makes each pack a small adventure rather than a trivial matter.
In the age of Scarlet and Violet, the coach’s Pokémon return is another huge change I want to yell. Building decks and collecting cards based on specific characters rather than types provides nearly unlimited theme options.
I like Cynthia's Pokémon feels like a cohesive team rather than a random card. It makes the way of building and fighting more fun, and it also makes each pull feeling more personal.
The rate of pulling is also much better. From the 46 packages, I took 8 front cards, 6 illustrations rare, 1 special illustration rare and 1 gold card.
That was 16 respectable hits, not just the reverse Holo card of glory. It matches the powerful pulling experience on the go, a far cry from my recent frustration in mini-suits like Prismatic Evolutions.
I still have nightmares The fable on the re-title shopthe pull rate is so demanding that opening it feels like a social experiment with patience. Sparks surging Only slightly better. Even if the booster box is opened, it mainly issues standard EX cards, such as consolation prizes.
and The evolution of prismatic shape? That mini set was so full of pokéball cards and low chances that I was so disappointed after the preview. Destined competitor Fixed all of this and reminded me why I like this hobby.
My favorite competitor pull
As far as the pure Chase card I pulled alone is concerned, this is one of my favorite Pokémon TCG previews to date. I got 16 hits from standard EXS and IRS to Sirs and got the full gallery at the top of the article. Here are the top five I've taken from this doomed competitor preview and I think I've grabbed some of the best cards:
Ethan's Ho-Oh Ex 239/182
Special illustrations of rare artwork show Ethan and Ho-oh soaring in vivid sunsets, which is just one of the second cards you see. While that was one of the chase cards I wanted to attract, I also had the same golden rare version of it.
It has Ho-Oh and Ethan Front and Center, plus two choices for my generation are Pokémon Gold, so this card makes a lot of sense to me. The card itself is very playable, allowing you to attach two basic fire energy per turn while dealing 160 damage and healing 50 Pokémon damage. Ho-Oh ex and Charizard Ex deck will be beasts!
Mabosstiff EX by Arven 235/182
Arven's Mabosstiff Ex is a card that makes me love the mid-distance deck again. Just look at him as a good boy. This work of art captures everything I love about Pokémon and reminds me of a hug with a dog. epic.
A fierce tackle will cause solid damage as early as possible, and the boss's head shows up to make you turn a fight around, causing 210 damage. Given that Arven's sandwich stays healthy, I think this card is a real pain for an opponent who thinks it can easily cut you down. I call this deck “mabos-switch” and you don't have enough badges to train me.
Team Rocket's Crobat EX 217/182
This card has the potential to damage the deck. Imagine sending Crobat Ex in, taking damage to three opposite Pokémon in a circle, and then sending out the allegorical Bloodmoon Ursaluna from your hands.
This will then allow you to take advantage of its combat hardness ability, attach three combat energy in one turn, and use it to be crazy biting attacks. It deals 100 damage to each damage counter plus 30. Crazy deck idea! I also love these complete artwork front cards and have coaches in the backstage, which is such a unique design.
Ethan's Typhlosion 190/182
Ethan's health ministry literally brought the heat. Buddy Blast may cause huge damage based on how many Ethan's adventure cards you have in the discard heap and reward aggressive, discarded play style.
This infrared card is my favorite destined competitor card. It does a great job showing the connection between Ethan and his starting Pokémon, while showing the busy moment. Such an excellent card.
Team Rocket's Houndoom 191/182
Hounds need more love, and this illustration is rare. This is one of the Pokémon made for the Rockets. This work of art is another example of the active and agile work of organic competitors, and a great example of how the underrated illustrations in Pokémon TCG are rare.
Here is what I wish for the black bolts and the white flare turn, each card has an illustration variant. I'm not sure if I'll use this card in the game because the energy on level 1 card is discarded there, but it's easy to accumulate on the bench for quick hits and retreats.
Should You Buy Pokémon TCG: Destined Competitor?
I think competitors are destined to be bought (With a massive warning: if you can actually find it in stock). It brings the thrill of an open bag, makes deck construction even more exciting and gives us the best cards Pokémon has produced in the age of scarlet and violet. (What is this really saying).
I think collectors, contenders, and anyone who just wants a fun opening experience will find a lot here. Just a warning: Your wallet may start planning your own Rocket-level revenge.
Christian Wait is IGN's contribution that covers all collectable and transactionable. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the gaming and tech industry and has a mixable and pocket-sized crafting charter. Christian also created a hand-painted collection for the miniature of the sword. Christian is also the author of The Ultimate Unofficial Game Guide for Pokemons by Warrior. Find Christians on x @chrisreggiewait.