As a die-hard Pokémon card collector, few things beat the rush of discovering a set that blends stunning artwork, deep lore, and game-changing cards. The Scarlet & Violet era has been full of highlights, but three expansions stand out in my binder: Twilight Masquerade, Destined Rivals, and Surging Sparks. Released in 2024 and early 2025, these sets capture the magic of Kitakami’s mysteries, Team Rocket’s villainy, and a tropical storm of electric dragons. I’ve spent countless hours pulling from their Booster Boxes at Card Chill, chasing those Special Illustration Rares and building decks that keep my battles electric. In this guide, I’ll dive into what makes each set special, share my personal pulls and tips, and explain why they’re must-haves for any collector. Whether you’re into folklore vibes, nostalgic rivalries, or high-voltage strategies, these expansions have it all—let’s unpack them one by one.
Twilight Masquerade: Unmasking Kitakami’s Secrets
Twilight Masquerade, released on May 24, 2024, takes us deep into the enchanting land of Kitakami from The Teal Mask DLC in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. This sixth Scarlet & Violet expansion packs 226 cards total—167 in the main set and 59 secret rares—drawing from the Japanese Crimson Haze and Transformation Mask sets. It’s a visual and thematic feast, focused on masked legends and harmonious chaos, with Ogerpon ex stealing the show as four different Tera types: Grass, Water, Fire, and Rock. Each form requires unique Energy, but the ACE SPEC Legacy Energy card lets you power them all up effortlessly, making it a collector’s dream for versatile deck-building.
What hooked me right away was the eerie, folklore-inspired artwork. Growing in power, cards like Greninja ex, Dragapult ex, and Magcargo ex dazzle as Tera Pokémon ex, their crystalline designs popping under Kitakami’s twilight glow. Then there are the Loyal Three—Okidogi, Munkidori, and Fezandipiti—with “Adrena” Abilities that amp up using Darkness Energy for killer skills. I remember cracking open an Elite Trainer Box (ETB) from Card Chill’s Pokémon hub and pulling a full-art Teal Mask Ogerpon promo—its masked face and flowing vines are now the star of my display shelf. The set also includes seven Pokémon ex, seven Tera Pokémon ex, 21 illustration rares, and six hyper rare gold etched cards, plus more ACE SPEC goodies to shake up the meta.
For collectors like me, the 11 special illustration rares and 12 ultra rare full-art etched cards are the real chase. Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex and Sinistcha ex bring that harmonious-yet-menacing vibe, perfect for Darkness-type fans. In battles, Ogerpon’s multi-type flexibility has me rethinking my strategies—have you ever built a deck around a single Pokémon with four forms? It’s endlessly replayable. If you’re starting a Kitakami-themed collection, grab a Booster Box from Card Chill’s TCG Sets page; the pulls feel like unmasking a mystery every time. This set isn’t just cards—it’s a portal to Kitakami’s swirling rumors and deceptive memories, and it’s elevated my Scarlet & Violet binder to new heights.
Destined Rivals: Team Rocket’s Epic Showdown
Fast-forward to May 30, 2025, and Destined Rivals hits like a Rocket Grunt’s ambush—pure nostalgia with a modern twist. As the tenth Scarlet & Violet expansion, it boasts 244 cards (182 main set, 62 secret rares), blending Trainer-owned Pokémon from Japanese sets like Heat Wave Arena and The Glory of Team Rocket. The theme? An epic clash between heroic trainers and the nefarious Team Rocket, forcing you to pick a side: ally with Cynthia and her Garchomp ex, Ethan and Ho-Oh ex, or Arven and Mabosstiff ex… or go full villain with Giovanni’s Mewtwo ex. It’s a callback to the original Team Rocket set, but supercharged with ex cards and over 45 special illustration rares.
I was geeking out over the Trainer’s Pokémon mechanic—those dynamic poses and unexpected moves make every card feel alive. My favorite pull? Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex from a Booster Bundle at Card Chill—its psychic glow and scheming eyes scream “prepare for trouble.” The set dives into rivalries with 17 Pokémon ex, including Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex and Cynthia’s Garchomp ex, plus nostalgic Trainer cards like those featuring Misty and Steven. The Elite Trainer Box promo, Team Rocket’s Wobbuffet, is a hilarious nod to Jessie and James, and it’s locked behind the ETB, making it a hot chase item for completists.
What sets Destined Rivals apart for me is its investment potential—Trainer-owned cards like these often skyrocket in value, especially with the vintage vibes. The artwork shines in the special illustrations, capturing epic showdowns that make my battles feel cinematic. Strategically, Mewtwo ex’s massive attacks pair brutally with Rocket support cards, turning decks into takeover machines. If you’re a fan of moral ambiguity in your collecting (who hasn’t rooted for the bad guys?), this set’s your jam. I recommend snagging singles for specific rivals from Card Chill’s Pokémon hub to build themed binders without breaking the bank. It’s not just a set; it’s a rivalry reignited, reminding us why Team Rocket endures as Pokémon’s ultimate foes.
Surging Sparks: Dragons and Thunder in Paradise
Wrapping up this trio is Surging Sparks, unleashed on November 8, 2024, as the eighth Scarlet & Violet expansion. With a whopping 252 cards, it crackles with energy from Japanese sets Paradise Dragona and Supercharged Breaker, themed around the Terarium’s tropical paradise where terawatts of electricity crash down. Pikachu ex leads as a Stellar Tera powerhouse, illuminating a dragon parade with Alolan Exeggutor ex towering over Archaludon ex and Latias ex. It’s all about high-voltage battles, with nine Stellar Tera Pokémon ex, nine Pokémon ex, and eight new ACE SPEC cards like Megaton Blower (which strips opponents’ Tools and Special Energy) and Miracle Headset (recycling Supporters from discard).
The tropical backdrop had me hooked from the first reveal—vibrant waves, stormy skies, and dragon roars make the artwork leap off the page. I dove into a Booster Box from Card Chill’s TCG Sets page and landed a Latias ex special illustration rare; its ethereal flight amid lightning is pure poetry for my Dragon-type section. The set’s 23 illustration rares and six hyper rare gold etched cards add that collector sparkle, while the Terarium theme ties back to The Indigo Disk DLC, blending game lore with TCG flair.
Gameplay-wise, the electric-dragon synergy is electric (pun intended)—Pikachu ex’s Stellar Tera boosts pair with ACE SPECs for meta-shaking combos. As a collector, I love how it spotlights quirky insects and cozy plants alongside the beasts, giving variety to every pull. The three-pack blisters with promos like Zapdos (whose Follow-Up Bolt exploits prior damage) are affordable entry points for newbies. For me, Surging Sparks captures that raw, untamed energy of Pokémon’s wild side—currents crackle, dragons roar, and your deck surges to victory. It’s a set that demands sleeves and a spot in every binder.
Why These Three Sets Are Collector Essentials
Diving into Twilight Masquerade, Destined Rivals, and Surging Sparks has been a highlight of my Scarlet & Violet journey. Twilight Masquerade weaves folklore into fierce Tera forms, Destined Rivals revives Rocket rivalries with Trainer flair, and Surging Sparks unleashes a storm of dragons and sparks. Together, they showcase the era’s best: crystalline art, strategic depth, and nods to beloved DLCs. My tips? Start with ETBs for accessories and promos, hunt SIRs in Booster Boxes from Card Chill, and protect those pulls with quality sleeves. These sets aren’t just expansions—they’re chapters in the Pokémon TCG saga, full of mystery, mayhem, and mega pulls that keep me collecting. If your binder needs some Kitakami masks, Rocket schemes, or tropical thunder, these are the ones to chase.