Destined Rivals Card List: 10 Amazing Team Rocket Chase Cards
The Destined Rivals card list is where Team Rocket finally returned to the Pokémon TCG in force. Released on 30 May 2025, Destined Rivals expanded the Trainer’s Pokémon idea from Journey Together and added a whole roster of Team Rocket’s Pokémon, led by Giovanni’s Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex. With 244 cards, 62 secret rares and some of the most valuable Special Illustration Rares of the Scarlet and Violet era, it is a set that collectors still chase today. This guide covers the full Destined Rivals card list, how it is numbered, the top chase cards and the best products to buy in Australia.
If you collected Journey Together, you will recognise the format. Destined Rivals takes it further with rival trainers such as Cynthia, Ethan, Arven, Misty and Steven, all set against the villains of Team Rocket.
Table of Contents
Destined Rivals card list at a glance
- Release date: 30 May 2025, with prerelease events from mid-May
- Set code: SV10, set symbol DRI
- Total cards: 244, made up of 182 main set cards and 62 secret rares
- Japanese sources: Glory of Team Rocket and Heat Wave Arena
- Headline cards: Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex, Cynthia’s Garchomp ex and Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex
- Contents: 83 Team Rocket’s cards, 17 Pokémon ex including 10 Trainer’s Pokémon ex, 23 Illustration Rares, 11 Special Illustration Rares and 6 Hyper Rares
Team Rocket returns
Team Rocket’s Pokémon were first printed in the original Team Rocket set in 2000, and their return was one of the most anticipated moments of the era. In Destined Rivals, 83 cards carry the Team Rocket’s name, from Team Rocket’s Houndour and Houndoom to the legendary Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex and Team Rocket’s Moltres ex. Supporters such as Team Rocket’s Giovanni and Team Rocket’s Ariana complete the theme.
Many Team Rocket’s Trainer cards only work with Team Rocket’s Pokémon, which pushed players into building fully themed decks. That made the set exciting for players as well as collectors, and it gave the main set real value beyond the secret rares.
How the Destined Rivals card list is numbered
Cards numbered 001 to 182 are the main set, including the double rare Pokémon ex such as Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex at 039/182, Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex at 081/182 and Cynthia’s Garchomp ex at 104/182. Anything numbered 183 or higher is a secret rare, laid out in four blocks.
- 183 to 205: 23 Illustration Rares, including Misty’s Psyduck and Zamazenta
- 206 to 227: 22 Ultra Rares, with full-art Pokémon ex and Supporters such as Judge
- 228 to 238: 11 Special Illustration Rares
- 239 to 244: 6 gold Hyper Rares, including Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex and the Stadium cards Jamming Tower and Levincia
At 62 secret rares, the secret range is one of the largest of the era. That means more variety in every booster box, but also more cards to chase if you want the complete set.
The rival theme runs through the whole Destined Rivals card list. Cynthia, Ethan, Arven, Misty and Steven each bring their own Trainer’s Pokémon, and their Supporter cards appear alongside them. That makes the set easy to collect in themed sections if you prefer to focus on one trainer at a time.
Every Special Illustration Rare
The 11 Special Illustration Rares are the heart of the set. Here is the full list in card number order, which is handy for checking your binder page by page.
- 228 Yanmega ex
- 229 Team Rocket’s Moltres ex
- 230 Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex
- 231 Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex
- 232 Cynthia’s Garchomp ex
- 233 Team Rocket’s Nidoking ex
- 234 Team Rocket’s Crobat ex
- 235 Arven’s Mabosstiff ex
- 236 Ethan’s Adventure
- 237 Team Rocket’s Ariana
- 238 Team Rocket’s Giovanni
Top 10 chase cards in the Destined Rivals card list
Prices move every week, so treat this as a ranking based on sales through 2025 and 2026 rather than a price guide.
- Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex, Special Illustration Rare 231/182
- Cynthia’s Garchomp ex, Special Illustration Rare 232/182
- Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex, Special Illustration Rare 230/182
- Team Rocket’s Nidoking ex, Special Illustration Rare 233/182
- Team Rocket’s Moltres ex, Special Illustration Rare 229/182
- Misty’s Psyduck, Illustration Rare 193/182
- Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex, Hyper Rare 240/182
- Team Rocket’s Crobat ex, Special Illustration Rare 234/182
- Ethan’s Adventure, Special Illustration Rare 236/182
- Team Rocket’s Giovanni, Special Illustration Rare 238/182
Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex
The Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex Special Illustration Rare shows Mewtwo under Giovanni’s command, and it has been the most valuable card in the set since release. It has also been one of the most valuable Special Illustration Rares of the whole Scarlet and Violet era. The gold Hyper Rare gives collectors a second premium version of the same Pokémon.
Cynthia’s Garchomp ex and Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex
Cynthia is one of the most popular champions in the series, and her Garchomp ex Special Illustration Rare has ranked second for most of the set’s life. Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex, illustrated by Atsushi Furusawa, shows Ethan watching Ho-Oh fly across a sunset sky. It is pure Johto nostalgia, and its Shining Feathers attack also made it a useful card in play.
Misty’s Psyduck, the standout Illustration Rare
Misty’s Psyduck is the only Illustration Rare that regularly appears in the top ten. Its playful artwork and the link to Misty, one of the original anime characters, make it a favourite. It is also a reminder to check every Illustration Rare before filing it away.
Pull rates are never officially confirmed, so treat any numbers online as community estimates. Across the Destined Rivals card list, each specific Special Illustration Rare is thought to appear only once in several hundred packs. A typical booster box gives a good spread of Illustration Rares and Ultra Rares, which is why many collectors open one box for the experience and then switch to singles.
Destined Rivals for players
Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex, Cynthia’s Garchomp ex and Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex all became strong attackers, and Team Rocket’s Trainer cards created a new themed archetype. Judge and the Stadium cards Jamming Tower and Levincia also saw plenty of play. Players should collect the main set double rares in multiples, since they play exactly the same as the secret rares.
The Build and Battle Box is an easy way into the set. It includes a ready-to-play 40-card deck, a foil promo and booster packs, so new players can start playing straight away.
How to complete the Destined Rivals card list
- Open one or two booster boxes to complete most of the 182-card main set
- Use singles to fill the main set gaps, especially Team Rocket’s cards
- Collect the 23 Illustration Rares, starting with Misty’s Psyduck
- Trade duplicate Ultra Rares at local game nights
- Buy the Special Illustration Rares and Hyper Rares as singles once prices settle
A master set with reverse holos runs to over 400 cards. Many collectors choose a themed goal instead, such as every Team Rocket’s card in the set.
Take care of your best pulls from the moment they leave the pack. Sleeve them straight away, move them into toploaders or magnetic cases, and store binders upright in a cool, dry place. Check the corners and surface under bright light before grading, and only grade cards where a high grade would clearly cover the fees and postage from Australia.
Keep a printed Destined Rivals card list with your collection. Ticking off numbers as you go makes trading far easier, because you always know exactly which cards you still need.
Best Destined Rivals products to buy
- Destined Rivals booster box: 36 packs and the best value per pack
- Destined Rivals Elite Trainer Box: 9 packs, sleeves, energy, dice and storage
- Destined Rivals booster bundle: 6 packs and an easy gift
- Destined Rivals Build and Battle Box: a ready-to-play deck, a promo and packs
- Destined Rivals Elite Trainer Box case and booster box case: for sealed collectors
See everything in stock on our Destined Rivals product page.
Destined Rivals card list FAQ
How many cards are in Destined Rivals?
There are 244 cards: 182 main set cards and 62 secret rares numbered from 183 to 244.
What is the most valuable Destined Rivals card?
The Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex Special Illustration Rare 231/182 has been the most valuable card since release.
Which Japanese sets are in Destined Rivals?
Destined Rivals combines the Japanese Glory of Team Rocket and Heat Wave Arena sets.
Where can I see the full checklist?
The Bulbapedia Destined Rivals page lists every card with numbers and rarities.
More Scarlet and Violet guides
Continue with Black Bolt and White Flare, the final Scarlet and Violet sets, or look back at Journey Together, Prismatic Evolutions and Surging Sparks. For the next era, start with the Mega Evolution card list, and browse the full Obsidia Collectables trading card blog.
The Destined Rivals card list is a love letter to rivalries, from Team Rocket’s schemes to the champions who stand against them. Whether you chase Mewtwo or collect every Team Rocket’s card, it is one of the defining sets of the Scarlet and Violet era.