The latest Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) set, Scarlet & Violet - Destined Rivals, was fully unveiled on March 24 and is set to launch on May 30, 2025. This set is generating significant buzz among collectors, not just for its new cards but also for the return of Trainer's Pokémon cards, reminiscent of classics like Brock's Sandslash and Rocket's Mewtwo. These cards have historically been a hit for connecting beloved Trainers with their Pokémon in unique ways. Furthermore, the set focuses on Team Rocket, the iconic villainous team from the first generation of Pokémon games, adding to its allure and drawing comparisons to the popular Prismatic Evolutions set earlier in the year.
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Destined Rivals Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box Images
6 Images
As pre-orders for the Destined Rivals set commenced, the launch has been marred by the usual suspects: scalpers and website issues. Fans eager to secure an Elite Trainer Box (ETB) from the Pokémon Center faced long waits and frustrating experiences, only to find scalpers already listing these boxes for several hundred dollars on sites like eBay, despite their typical retail price of $54.99. This situation has been a source of dismay for many in the community, as highlighted by Joe Merrick of Serebii, who expressed his frustration over the shift towards treating Pokémon TCG as a financial investment rather than a hobby.
This is not an isolated incident; similar issues plagued the releases of Prismatic Evolutions and the Blooming Waters 151 box. The Pokémon Company (TPC) has acknowledged these challenges and stated that more inventory of the Destined Rivals ETB will be available later in the year. However, even those who managed to place orders are facing cancellations, exacerbating the frustration for enthusiasts who simply want to enjoy the game.
While the virtual Pokémon TCG Pocket offers a solution to some of these physical scarcity problems, the challenges faced by collectors and players in acquiring physical cards remain a significant issue. The high demand and subsequent difficulties in obtaining the latest sets are overshadowing the excitement of new releases. A visit to your local store's card aisle can often reveal the extent of these challenges. Hopefully, remedies will soon be implemented to address these issues and restore the joy of collecting and playing the Pokémon TCG.
