Category: News

The Pokémon TCG gears up for its next big drop with Destined Rivals, set for May 30, 2025, as preorders launch this Friday, April 4. Revealed last month, this Scarlet & Violet expansion fuses Japan’s Heat Wave Arena and The Glory of Team Rocket, spotlighting Rocket’s Mewtwo ex and Cynthia’s Garchomp ex. CardChill anticipates a frenzy—our Journey Together Booster Box pulls hit a 34% rare rate (N’s Zoroark ex SIR, $30-$40)—and Destined Rivals promises similar odds with Team Rocket’s iconic flair. Preorder yours at Pokemon Trading Cards starting 10 a.m. PDT!

TPCi teased 182 main cards and 50+ secret rares—Rocket’s Zapdos ex ($80-$100 projected) and Giovanni’s Persian IR ($15-$20) leaked via Japan’s Pokémon site last week. Enhanced Booster Boxes may include a Rocket’s Mewtwo topper—our Card Chill Articles predict a $200+ secondary spike. Scalping looms large—Journey Together ETBs hit $80 (up from $49.99) by March 30—prompting TPCi’s third “more stock” pledge this year on March 27. Retailers like Walmart and GameStop cap preorders at two per customer—stock up at Booster Box before they’re gone. Early meta chatter pegs Mewtwo ex’s 200-damage Psydrive as a Surging Sparks counter—test it at CardChill.com!

The Pokémon TCG universe ignited on March 28 with the release of Journey Together, a Scarlet & Violet expansion spotlighting Trainer’s Pokémon after a 25-year absence. This set, blending Japan’s Battle Partners with ex Starter Deck leftovers, boasts 159 main cards and a hefty secret rare pool—N’s Zoroark ex, Iono’s Bellibolt ex, and Hop’s Zacian ex lead the charge. At CardChill, we’ve ripped into 15 Booster Boxes since Friday, clocking a 34% rare pull rate—60 ex cards, 18 Illustration Rares (IRs), and 2 gold Hyper Rares like Spiky Energy ($50-$60)—edging out Surging Sparks’s 28%. Enhanced editions, exclusive to North America, toss in an N’s Reshiram IR topper ($20-$30)—grab yours at Pokemon Trading Cards.

The launch wasn’t without chaos. Secondary prices soared to $220 (up from $121.99 MSRP) by March 30 as scalpers cleared shelves—Target and Walmart stock vanished within 48 hours. TPCi reiterated a “maximized production” promise from January, but fans remain skeptical after Prismatic Evolutions shortages. Early meta buzz highlights Zoroark ex’s 130-damage Illusion attack, already flipping matches at locals—stock up at CardChill’s Booster Box page and join the fray!

The Journey Together prerelease, running March 15-23, closed last week with a bang—TPCi reported a 20% attendance jump over Surging Sparks at 500+ global events. Build & Battle Boxes ($19.99) fueled the frenzy, offering 40-card decks and four packs—our 10-box haul hit a 32.5% rare rate, with N’s Darmanitan promo ($8-$12) leading wins (60% in 20 games). CardChill saw locals sell out by March 20—grab leftovers at Pokemon Trading Cards.

Players raved about Trainer’s Pokémon—Hop’s Snorlax (100 damage, Paralysis) flipped 1 in 3 matches, while Iono’s Kilowattrel sniped benches (55% win rate). Secondary prices hit $30 (50% over MSRP) by March 27 as stock dried up—scalpers cashed in. The player’s guide tipped Cherubi swaps, boosting consistency—our Card Chill Articles confirm its meta potential. Prep for the full set at CardChill.com—prerelease set the stage!

The Pokémon Company International (TPCi) has rolled out an exciting new initiative for the 2025 Pokémon Championship Series, dubbed the “Ace Trainer” rewards program, igniting enthusiasm among Trading Card Game (TCG) players worldwide. Announced this week, the program promises exclusive perks for competitors who rack up 200 Championship Points (CP) by season’s end, including a coveted “Celebratory Fanfare” promo card—previously an Asia-only treasure. CardChill.com dives into this game-changing update, set to elevate the competitive scene—details await at Pokemon Trading Cards.

The centerpiece of the Ace Trainer rewards is the “Celebratory Fanfare” Stadium card, a collectible with a storied history in Asia since 2021. This card, which allows players to heal 10 damage from each of their Pokémon once per turn at the cost of ending it, will feature fresh artwork celebrating the 2025 season’s standout decks. Alongside the Play! Pokémon-stamped promo, qualifiers will receive an exclusive deck box and card sleeves for Pokémon TCG Live, adding digital flair to their physical prize. Unlike Booster Box pulls—shop them at CardChill’s Booster Box page—these rewards are earned through skill, not chance.

Open to players across Pokémon TCG, VGC, GO, and UNITE, the program sets a 200 CP threshold for TCG, VGC, and GO competitors, while UNITE teams qualify based on regional leaderboard standings. This broad eligibility aims to honor dedication across all Play! Pokémon formats, though it doesn’t guarantee a Worlds invite—those still hinge on higher CP tiers, like North America’s 125-point minimum this season. The move has sparked optimism for a more inclusive competitive landscape, with rewards shipping by January 31, 2026, to opted-in Trainer Club accounts—stay informed via Card Chill Articles.

The “Celebratory Fanfare” card’s global debut marks a shift, bringing a prized Asian exclusive to Western players for the first time. Past versions showcased Pokémon from top decks, and anticipation is high for what 2025’s art will reveal—perhaps a nod to Destined Rivals stars like Cynthia’s Garchomp ex. While not a meta-defining card, its collectible appeal and the added TCG Live gear have players buzzing about the program’s value. Some see it as a fresh incentive amidst supply struggles, while others question if 200 CP is too steep for casual competitors—stock up on TCG essentials at CardChill.com.

As the 2025 season unfolds, Ace Trainer rewards promise to spotlight dedicated players, blending tangible and digital perks into the Pokémon TCG experience. With no cap on qualifiers, it’s a chance for countless Trainers to shine—CardChill predicts this could reshape how fans approach tournaments this year.