It feels like every newPokemon TCGis built up with unreachable expectations, as hype runs wild and pre-orders sell out. The Scarlet & Violet era continued this ongoing trend with Destined Rivals, but as theset directly following Journey Together,it needed to build on the Trainer and Pokemon gimmick to live up to expectations.
Whether you’re in it forthe valuable, limited promos found in ETBs,or you’re hoping to pull some ofthe most valuable cards from the main set, Destined Rivalswill blow you away.
8Team Rocket’s Houndoom – Illustration Rare
What You Came For
If you’re buying a Team Rocket-themed set, then chances are you want to see some Pokemon used by the nefarious grunts and their infamous leader, Giovanni. Houndoom is one of the strongest Pokemon that springs to mind from the roster of choices that Team Rocket is known for.
Whether it’s the perfect combination of colors with Archer’s hair and Houndoom’s flames or the overall composition of this card’s scene, Team Rocket’s Houndoom is a quintessential Destined Rivals card.
7Team Rocket’s Giovanni – Special Illustration Rare
The Main Man
Archer joins Giovanni and his Team Rocket Admins on this gorgeous Special Illustration Rare that combines bright color palettes with Giovanni’s classic mostly-black attire. Archer and Ariana’s blue and red hair are perfect contrasts to each other, and the red ‘R’ on Giovanni’s chest brings it all together.
Giovanni is the boss of this world-renowned criminal organization, so you’d understandably come into Destined Rivals expecting to see him. This card delivers on every expectation and more, and it speaks to the strength of this set’s other cards, considering this card isn’t even one of the most expensive.
6Misty’s Lapras – Illustration Rare
Some Good To Mix With The Evil
On the other end of the spectrum, sometimes surprises can still be positive parts of a set, like with Misty’s Lapras. Thematically, you couldn’t pick two more surprising subjects to include in a set all about one of the most evil organizations in the Pokemon world, but Misty and Lapras bring beautiful artwork to the table.
You should consider grading this card if you have a clean copy,as part of the beauty of this sunny scene is the clean, crisp appearance of the background. Whether you’d like to increase its value or preserve its condition, grading this card is a wise investment.
5Team Rocket’s Moltres ex – Special Illustration Rare
Flying Under The Radar
Team Rocket’s Moltres might just be the most breathtaking card in the entire set, but unfortunately, due to the use of darker shading and smaller details in the background, it’s hard to appreciate this card through a screen.
While it’s a commonly highlighted issue, it’s still worth noting that cards like this deserve a second look in person, when possible. Zooming in can help appreciate the details, but there’s no replacement for seeing a card in your hand.
Luckily, despite this card’s impressive, detailed artwork, it’s still fairly affordable compared to some of the most expensive cards in Destined Rivals. However, expect this card to become highly sought-after when the set leaves rotation and is no longer available on store shelves.
4Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex – Special Illustration Rare
The Preferred Fire Bird
Ethan’s Ho-Oh offers another bright scene of Ethan looking up as his Ho-Oh flies across a sky, with the sun’s light illuminating every detail. You won’t find many other cards that highlight a Pokemon as beautifully as this, while also including a beloved trainer like Ethan.
However, one of the few other cards that can compete with this card’s combination of starpower and bright artwork are some of its Destined Rivals peers. If you’re not quite convinced about Destined Rivals, you’ll want to see how it can get even better from here.
3Cynthia’s Garchomp ex – Special Illustration Rare
A Perfect Pair
Ethan and Ho-Oh are very popular individually, but there are few duos as iconic and powerful as Cynthia and Garchomp. The champion from Sinnoh sends her powerful Dragon and Ground-type into battle in this ferociously detailed scene, as Garchomp attacks with blistering speed.
The scene speaks for itself, and based onCynthia’s history of commanding high prices for some of her best cards,you may expect this Cynthia card to maintain its high price.
2Misty’s Psyduck – Illustration Rare
The Show-Stealer
Misty and Lapras have already stolen the show once, but the Water-type gym leader returns to solidify her place as one of the most beloved cards in Destined Rivals. As one of the set’s most expensive cards, Misty’s Psyduck stands out as a clear draw if you want topull valuable cards from a set.
However, it’s still an off-beat inclusion, so it might not be your top choice if you’re more of a Team Rocket purist. Luckily, if that’s you, then there’s one last ace that will convince you that Destined Rivals lives up to the hype.
1Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex – Special Illustration Rare
The Cream Of The Crop
Team Rocket’s Mewtwo is one of thebest references to a vintage card in Destined Rivals,and stands alone as the most expensive card in the set, eclipsing its closest competitor by a significant margin. If you wanted to see a new interpretation of the classic card, then what more could you ask for than Giovanni joining the scene?
Both Giovanni and Mewtwo share the scene, and the beautiful red background offers the perfect color choice to highlight both the Pokemon and the trainer. While several cards make Destined Rivals a great set, this is probably the most important inclusion.
