Get ready to relive the thrill of the Pokémon Trading Card Game with two spectacular upcoming releases that are bound to capture the hearts of collectors and players alike. The much-anticipated Japanese set, “The Glory of Team Rocket,” and its English counterpart, “Destined Rivals,” are reviving the iconic Team Rocket legacy with fresh twists and dynamic gameplay mechanics. Set to make their debut in 2025—with the Japanese release scheduled for April 18 and the English version following on May 30 (with pre-releases between May 17–25)—these sets promise an impressive card pool, exclusive merchandise, and card mechanics that blend nostalgia with modern strategy.
At WLC, we’re as excited as you are! Our shelves will soon be stocked with these hot new releases, available for pre-order alongside our comprehensive range of Pokémon TCG products. Whether you’re after booster boxes, elite trainer boxes, or rare graded singles, we’re here to ensure you never miss out on the action.
Global Release Dates & Set Composition:
What to Expect
The excitement builds as we look at the extensive line up behind these releases. Here’s everything you need to know about the release schedule and set composition:
- Japanese Set (“The Glory of Team Rocket”) launches on April 18, 2025.
- English Set (“Destined Rivals”) follows on May 30, 2025, with pre-release events to take place at our store in Westwood Business Park in May (between May 17th and May 25th)
Card Composition
“Destined Rivals” marks the tenth instalment in the Scarlet & Violet series and boasts an impressive pool of over 240 cards. In the English set, expect an extensive mix including over 85 Trainer’s Pokémon—more than 45 of which are Team Rocket’s Pokémon—alongside 15+ Pokémon ex cards, 20+ Trainer cards, and 45+ cards featuring special illustrations. The Japanese set starts with 98 main cards, potentially expanding to around 130 cards once secret rares are factored in.
Thematic Elements
The sets are centred around a classic narrative of conflict—where Team Rocket’s nefarious schemes are pitted against the heroic resolve of trainers. Fans can choose their side, aligning with iconic characters like Cynthia, Ethan, Arven, and Misty or even rally behind Team Rocket under Giovanni’s command.
Stay-tuned for Heat Wave Arena – we’re likely to have booster-boxes of the latest Japanese set online and in-store very soon!
Card Breakdown:
New Mechanics & Synergies
Dive into the heart of these releases with a sneak peek at the cards and game-changing mechanics that make “The Glory of Team Rocket” and “Destined Rivals” so electrifying:
All Team Rocket Pokémon in the set bear the “Team Rocket’s [Pokémon]” moniker, featuring the signature “R” symbol. Despite this common thread, you’ll notice a variety of Trainer icons—such as those representing Giovanni or Proton—adding unique flair to each card.
What we’ve seen so far…
- Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex: A formidable Psychic-type with 280 HP, it comes equipped with the “Power Saver” ability—designed to restrict attacks unless you have 4 or more Team Rocket’s Pokémon in play. Its “Deletion Sphere” attack not only dishes out 160+ damage but also offers potential bonus damage under the right conditions.
- Team Rocket’s Persian ex: This Stage 1 Colourless-type evolves from Team Rocket’s Meowth and features a clever mechanic that can turn your opponent’s attacks against them.
- Rocket’s Porygon Evolution Line: A complete three-stage evolution that rewards strategic, theme-focused deck building—an absolute treat for collectors aiming to harness the full power of Team Rocket.
- Team Rocket’s Spidops: A Stage 1 Grass-type that stands out with an ability to recover Energy from the discard pile, making it a versatile choice in gameplay.
Trainer & Support Cards
- Team Rocket’s Receiver: An Item card designed to streamline your deck by searching for Supporters with “Rocket” in their name.
- Team Rocket’s Ariana: This Supporter card boosts your card draw, providing a strategic edge for Rocket-themed decks.
- Team Rocket’s Archer: A comeback mechanic in the form of a Supporter, triggered when your Team Rocket’s Pokémon are knocked out.
- Team Rocket’s Giovanni: A strategic Supporter that enables dynamic Pokémon switching for both you and your opponent.
- Team Rocket’s Energy: A Special Energy card that supplies two Psychic or Dark energy in any combination, crafted exclusively for powering Team Rocket’s Pokémon.
Team Rocket Products:
Booster Boxes, ETBs & Japanese Collectibles
The excitement extends beyond the cards with an impressive line-up of exclusive products designed to satisfy both collectors and competitive players alike. Both releases come with a range of merchandise:
For “Destined Rivals”:
- Booster Boxes: Each box contains 36 packs brimming with the potential for rare and chase cards.
- Elite Trainer Boxes: Featuring Team Rocket’s Wobbuffet as the promo card, these boxes provide an excellent starter kit for building competitive decks.
- Pokémon Center Exclusives: In response to overwhelming demand, additional products will hit the market soon after the initial rapid sell-outs on the Pokémon Center website.
For “The Glory of Team Rocket”:
- Exclusive Attaché Case Set: Available only at Pokémon Center stores in Japan, this premium set includes 30 booster packs, deck accessories, a play mat, and more. Notably, the Attaché Case Set draws comparisons to the 2016 Team Rocket Special Case, which has seen secondary market values soar to around $10,000. Early pre-orders have already been fetching prices at £800+ compared to its retail price of roughly £90. Perhaps we’ll be able to get our hands on a few in the future!
Looking for Team Rocket Products
- Shop WLC!
At WLC, we’re thrilled to soon offer these. Whether you’re after booster boxes, elite trainer boxes, or booster bundles. We’ve got you covered with our extensive Pokémon product range.
Pre-orders for these sets sold out rapidly on Pokémon Center, with Japanese products already appearing on resale sites at 8x retail prices. WLC aims to bridge this gap:
- Fair Pricing: No inflated pre-order costs.
- Older Stock: Complement your collection with recent Scarlet & Violet sets (Paradox Rift, Paldean Fates) or vintage Team Rocket singles that are currently in our binders at our physical store in Westwood Business Park.
Missed the Pokémon Center Drop? Secure Stock at WLC – If you encountered sold-out notices or queue errors elsewhere, WLC provides alternative options. Join our discord, engage with our growing community, and get access to store/new stock updates, and exclusive pre-orders.
Connect with WLC: Your Collectibles Shop in Kent
Whether you’re a Pokémon master, a budding collector, or a parent hunting for the perfect gift, We Love Collectibles is your go-to hub in Thanet for all things TCG—and beyond!
Shop Your Way:
- Online Convenience: Browse our updated selection of Pokémon TCG products, Lego sets, Warhammer kits, and Loungefly bags from home.
- In-Store Magic: Visit us at Unit 101, Westwood Business Park, Margate CT9 4JJ to explore exclusive singles, Japanese Pokémon boosters, and collectibles you won’t find online. Our team lives for the thrill of the hunt—let us help you find your next treasure!
Store Hours:
- Tue–Sat: 10am–6pm | Sun: 11am–4pm (Closed Mondays)
Connect & Engage:
- TikTok Livestreams: Join us Wed–Sat for rip-or-ship sessions, giveaways, and live unboxings. Will you be the one to pull the next big hit?
- Discord Community: Trade cards, showcase your latest pulls, and chat with fellow collectors in Kent. Join here!
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Contact Us
Unit 101, Westwood Business Park, Margate CT9 4JJ
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@welovecollectibles
Mon: Closed
Tuesday – Saturday: 10am – 6:00pm
Sunday: from 11am – 4:00pm