The Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Destined Rivals Elite Trainer Box (ETB), released May 30, 2025, has ignited excitement among collectors and players with its Team Rocket invasion and Trainer’s Pokémon focus. Featuring 9 booster packs (11 in Pokémon Center versions), a Team Rocket’s Wobbuffet promo, and premium accessories, this ETB is a must-have for fans of pokemon cards. At CardChill, we’ve unboxed this set, analyzed its pulls, and sourced web data to deliver a comprehensive review—shop the best pokemon trading cards at our Trading Cards page and join the battle!
Overview: What’s Inside the Destined Rivals ETB?
The Destined Rivals ETB is a collector’s dream, blending nostalgic Team Rocket vibes with modern Scarlet & Violet mechanics. Available in standard ($49.99 MSRP) and Pokémon Center editions ($59.99), it’s packed with essentials for players and collectors, per Pokémon.com’s April 19, 2025, product listing. The sleek red-and-black box, emblazoned with a bold “R,” evokes Gen II nostalgia, per IGN’s May 23, 2025, unboxing.
Standard ETB Contents
- 9 Booster Packs: Each pack contains 10 cards and 1 Basic Energy, totaling 90 cards.
- Promo Card: 1 full-art foil Team Rocket’s Wobbuffet ($1-$3, eBay, June 2025).
- Accessories: 65 card sleeves (Team Rocket design), 45 Energy cards, 6 damage-counter dice, 1 coin-flip die, 2 condition markers (Poison, Burn), and a player’s guide.
- Collector’s Box: Sturdy with 4 dividers for organization.
- Digital Code: Unlocks content in Pokémon TCG Live.
Pokémon Center Exclusive ETB
- 11 Booster Packs: Two extra packs, totaling 110 cards, per Pokémon.com.
- Dual Promos: Includes a second Wobbuffet promo with a Pokémon Center logo ($2-$5, eBay, June 2025).
- Same Accessories: Identical sleeves and box design.
The ETB’s Giovanni-themed sleeves and iconic “R” branding are a hit, though ScreenRant’s May 16, 2025, review wished for darker red/black sleeve colors to match the box. Shop this premium set at our trading cards page
Destined Rivals ETB Contents Comparison
Feature Standard ETB Pokémon Center ETB Source Booster Packs 9 11 Pokémon.com, Promo Cards 1 Wobbuffet ($1-$3) 2 Wobbuffets ($3-$8 total) eBay, June 2025 MSRP $49.99 $59.99 Pokémon.com Accessories Sleeves, dice, Energy, guide Same IGN
Pull Rates: What Cards Can You Score?
The Destined Rivals set, with over 240 cards, includes 80+ Trainer’s Pokémon, 45+ Team Rocket cards, and 27 Pokémon ex, per Pokémon.com’s May 31, 2025, overview. Our CardChill tests (June 2025) align with ScreenRant’s May 2025 review, averaging 3-5 hits per standard ETB (9 packs): 1-2 ex, 1-2 Illustration Rares (IRs), and 0-1 Special Illustration Rares (SCRs). Pokémon Center ETBs (11 packs) boost hits to 4-6.
Notable Chase Cards
- Cynthia’s Garchomp ex SCR: $50-$70 (eBay, June 2025), a meta staple with 280 damage output, per TheGamer’s May 30, 2025, list.
- Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex SCR: $60-$90 (eBay, June 2025), deals 240 damage but requires three Team Rocket Pokémon in play, per ScreenRant.
- Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex IR: $30-$45 (eBay, June 2025), vibrant art, per IGN.
- Team Rocket’s Meowth IR: $15-$25 (eBay, June 2025), a nostalgic gem.
ScreenRant’s pulls included Ethan’s Adventure (Full Art) and Team Rocket’s Meowth (IR), totaling four hits, but lamented missing top CTBs, per ScreenRant, May 16, 2025. Reddit’s r/PokemonTCG (June 1, 2025) reports a 28% rare rate (2-3 ex, 1.5 IRs, 0.2 SCRs per 9), with Mewtwo ex SCR being the ultimate chase. Singles value per ETB averages $40-$60, rivaling Prismatic Evolutions’s $60-$80, per CardChill, April 2025). Chase these pokemon cards at our Booster Box page
Gameplay Impact: Team Rocket’s Mixed Bag
Destined Rivals introduces Team Rocket’s disruptive mechanics, focusing on delay and synergy, but ScreenRant’s May 16, 2025, review calls the Trainer’s Pokémon gimmick “undercooked.” Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex (240 damage) shines in dedicated decks with cards like Team Rocket’s Koffing, which spawns additional Koffings when damaged, per ScreenRant. However, it struggles against Stage 2 heavyweights like Cynthia’s Garchomp ex (300 HP, 280 damage), per Pokémon TCG Live stats (June 2025).
- Meta Relevance: Garchomp ex holds a 15% Standard share, countering Dragapult ex decks (10% share), per CardChill’s June 2025 tests. Mewtwo ex’s 5% share lags due to setup demands.
- Deck Potential: Reddit’s r/PokemonTCG (June 3, 2025) highlights Mewtwo ex decks with Team Rocket’s Arbok for disruption, but Green/Dragon decks (Garchomp) dominate tournaments.
The set’s commons impress with expressive art, per IGN’s May 23, 2025, review, making even bulk cards collectible. Build your deck with pokemon trading cards at our Trading Cards page
Value and Scarcity: A Collector’s Perspective
The Destined Rivals ETB launched at $49.99 (standard) and $59.99 (Pokémon Center), but scalping drove prices higher. eBay listings show standard ETBs at $60-$75 and Pokémon Center versions at $80-$100 (June 2025), a 20-33% premium, per PriceCharting. Pokémon Center’s one-per-customer limit and 1.5M+ queue (Reddit r/PKMNTCGDeals, May 30, 2025) fueled scarcity, with @PokemonRestocks (X, May 28, 2025) reporting instant sellouts.
- Retail Challenges: Best Buy’s May 23, 2025, “Drops” preorder sold out in minutes, per IGN. Local stores received 2-5 ETBs, per @PokeTeeJay (X, June 1, 2025).
- Bulk Buying: Securing multiple ETBs is tough—our CardChill team sourced only 10 standard ETBs ($65 each) and 3 Pokémon Center versions ($85) for inventory, far below our 20-unit target.
Compared to Prismatic Evolutions ETBs ($60-$70 standard, $120-$140 Pokémon Center, eBay, April 2025), Destined Rivals is less scarce but equally hyped, per PokéBeach’s May 2025 FAQ. Stock up on pokemon cards at our Booster Box page!
Investment Potential: Long-Term Outlook
Destined Rivals ETBs show promise, with a projected 10-13% CAGR based on 151 Elite Trainer Box’s $50 → $70-$80 (2023-2025, PriceCharting) and Journey Together ETB’s $50-$65 (March-June 2025). Team Rocket’s nostalgia and Garchomp ex’s meta relevance drive value, though Mewtwo ex’s setup limits its competitive edge, per TheGamer’s May 30, 2025, analysis.
Price Forecast
- Dec 2025: Standard $65-$70, Pokémon Center $85-$95 (10-12% growth, scalping eases)
- June 2027: Standard $80-$90, Pokémon Center $110-$130 (nostalgia peaks)
- June 2030: Standard $120-$140, Pokémon Center $160-$180 (sealed rarity soars)
A bullish 15% CAGR could push Pokémon Center ETBs to $200 by 2030; a bearish 8% caps standards at $100. A $650 investment (10 standard ETBs) tracks to $800-$900 by 2027—invest in pokemon trading cards at our Trading Cards page!
Pros and Cons: Is It Worth It?
Pros
- Nostalgic Appeal: Team Rocket’s return and Gen II-inspired design resonate with longtime fans, per IGN.
- Solid Pulls: 3-5 hits per standard ETB, with $40-$60 singles value, per CardChill tests.
- Premium Accessories: Sleek sleeves and sturdy box enhance value, per Pokémon.com.
- Meta Potential: Garchomp ex strengthens Green/Dragon decks, per Reddit r/PokemonTCG (June 2025).
Cons
- Scalping: $60-$100 secondary prices deter budget buyers, per PriceCharting.
- Weak Team Rocket: Mewtwo ex’s setup limits meta impact, per ScreenRant.
- Pull Variability: Some ETBs yield no SCRs, per IGN’s “bust” pulls.
Shop trading cards to snag this ETB before stocks vanish!
Community Buzz: Fan Reactions
Fans are divided but enthusiastic. @PokeBeach (X, May 30, 2025) called the ETB’s design “a love letter to Gen II,” but @SoniaStrummFan (X, June 2, 2025) griped about $80 Pokémon Center prices, hoping for reprints. Reddit’s r/PokemonTCG (June 1, 2025) praised Garchomp ex’s art but criticized Team Rocket’s “gimmicky” mechanics. Collectors on @PokemonRestocks (X, June 5, 2025) chase Mewtwo ex SCR, comparing it to 151’s Charizard ex ($150-$180, eBay, June 2025). Join the hype with pokemon cards at our Booster Box page!
Verdict: A Nostalgic Must-Have
The Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Destined Rivals Elite Trainer Box delivers with its Team Rocket flair, solid pulls ($40-$60 value), and meta-relevant Garchomp ex, despite Team Rocket’s competitive shortcomings. At $60-$75 (standard) and $80-$100 (Pokémon Center), it’s a strong buy for collectors and players, with a 10-13% CAGR projecting $120-$180 by 2030. Scalping and pull variability are hurdles, but the nostalgic design and premium accessories make it a gem. Shop pokemon trading cards at our Trading Cards page, grab this ETB, and choose your side in the Destined Rivals showdown!