The Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet — Journey Together set, set to release on March 28, 2025, is a thrilling addition to the franchise, bringing back a beloved mechanic from 2004: Trainer's Pokémon. This nostalgic feature, reminiscent of the classics from EX Team Magma vs. Team Aqua, promises to add a unique twist to gameplay. I'm incredibly excited to dive into this set and share my insights with you.
Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Booster Sleeves
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Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Build and Battle Box
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Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Booster Bundle
7 $29.99 save 5% $28.49 at GameStop
Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Booster Box 36 Count
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Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Elite Trainer Box
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Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Three Booster Blister
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Journey Together focuses on four iconic Trainers: N, Iono, Lillie, and Hop, each paired with Pokémon ex that highlight their strong bonds with their teams. If you're dreaming of a deck where N's Zoroark ex, Lillie's Clefairy ex, or Iono's Bellibolt ex shine, this set is your golden opportunity.
Check out the full Pokémon TCG Release Schedule for 2025
My Journey Together Product Openings
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
With over 180 cards, there’s a wealth of cards to chase. The set boasts more than 40 Trainer's Pokémon, 16 Pokémon ex, 11 Illustration Rares, six Special Illustration Rares, and three Hyper Rare gold cards. Box Toppers are also making a comeback, with Enhanced Booster Display Boxes featuring a stamped N's Reshiram Illustration Rare.
Journey Together Standard Booster Box
Opening a Booster Box is a thrilling experience. With 36 packs, the sheer volume makes every pull exciting. My highlights include N's Reshiram Illustration Rare, Iono's Bellibolt ex Secret Rare, and a Hyper Rare Spiky Energy. These were some of the most exciting moments, but even beyond the big hits, I pulled many solid ex cards that are perfect for my decks.
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
The card I most wanted, Hop's Zacian ex, eluded me. Lillie's Clefairy ex Special Art Rare? Also absent, but that's the nature of Booster Boxes. You get many chances, but nothing is guaranteed. Still, this was the best way to experience the set. If you love opening packs or want to boost your collection significantly, a Booster Box is the way to go. Check out all the rare pulls further down. This box was definitely worth it for me.
Journey Together Elite Trainer Box
Elite Trainer Boxes offer a premium feel compared to loose packs. The N's Zorua promo immediately caught my eye, and the box itself is ideal for storing cards. The included sleeves, dice, and condition markers are perfect for players, and with nine booster packs, there's still a good chance for exciting pulls.
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
I didn't expect anything extraordinary with only nine packs, but I still managed to pull Iono's Kilowattrel Illustration Rare, Articuno Illustration Rare, and a Veluza ex. These were some really fun cards that made the opening totally worth it. ETBs may not offer as many hits as a Booster Box, but the structured, all-in-one product is appealing. If you want a mix of pack-opening fun and collectible extras, this is a great way to experience Journey Together. Check out the full list of rare cards from our preview further down. We ended up with some serious gems.
Journey Together Build & Battle Box
Build & Battle Boxes offer a unique experience compared to Booster Boxes or Elite Trainer Boxes, yet they bring their own excitement. The main attraction is the prebuilt 40-card deck, which lets you jump straight into a game without sorting through cards. I pulled Hop's Snorlax as my promo, which is a fantastic card. Its ability boosts all of Hop's Pokémon by 30 damage, making it essential for any deck featuring his lineup.
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
The four packs didn't disappoint. I pulled Mamoswine ex and Swinub Illustration Rare, which perfectly fit my deck's theme. While you won't get as many rare pulls as with a Booster Box, this is the best option for quickly starting to play with the new set. With four different promo cards available, I'm already tempted to get another box to see what I might pull next. Check out my Journey Together preview pulls below to see some of the best cards we got from across all our openings.
Our Pokémon TCG: Journey Together Pulls
I opened 49 booster packs across all our products and ended up with 18 rare cards. Some were exactly what I hoped for, while others were delightful surprises. One thing's for sure: trainers will pull more rare cards than in Prismatic Evolutions. Here's what I pulled:
Hop's Snorlax (Promo 184)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A bulky Basic Pokémon with 150 HP that boosts all of Hop's Pokémon attacks by an additional 30 damage. This card is a must-have for any Trainer-themed deck. While Dynamic Press hits hard, the 80 recoil damage is a downside. Still, the ability alone makes it a valuable addition to any Hop-based strategy.
N's Zorua (Promo 189)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A cute but unremarkable card meant to evolve into something better. With 70 HP and 20 damage from Scratch, it won't turn heads, but if Zoroark ex is strong in this set, Zorua will have its moment.
Spiky Energy Hyper Rare (190/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
An instant staple in my decks. It deals 20 damage every time the Pokémon it's attached to gets hit, making it both offensive and defensive. Plus, it provides Colorless Energy. A complete win.
Iono's Bellibolt ex-Secret Rare (172/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A 280 HP Lightning-type powerhouse with Energy acceleration for days. Its Electric Streamer ability lets you attach unlimited Lightning Energy to Iono's Pokémon, making it an instant engine for Lightning decks. Thunderous Bolt's 230 damage is impressive, even if it means skipping a turn. This card is sure to see play.
Iris's Fighting Spirit Full Art (180/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A risk-reward draw Supporter that lets you discard one card and draw until you have six. This is a fantastic way to refresh your hand, especially in decks that benefit from discarding Energy or Pokémon. Plus, it's a full art, making it even more appealing.
Iono's Kilowattrel Illustration Rare (163/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A Lightning-type support Pokémon that lets you refill your hand with its Flashing Draw ability. The catch? You have to discard a Lightning Energy first. Mach Bolt's 70 damage is average, but this bird is more about hand advantage than brute force.
N's Reshiram Illustration Rare (167/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A 130 HP Dragon-type that becomes more dangerous the more damage it takes. Powerful Rage can rack up serious numbers, while Virtuous Flame's 170 damage is solid but a bit Energy-intensive. If you enjoy high-risk, high-reward plays, this card is for you.
Articuno Illustration Rare (161/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A Water-type setup Pokémon that can accelerate two Basic Water Energy onto itself with Frigid Fluttering. This is useful for getting it battle-ready fast, and Ice Blast's 110 damage is respectable. This card is a great starting piece for any Water deck.
Swinub Illustration Rare (165/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
This adorable little guy is surprisingly useful early-game. Call for Family lets you search your deck for two Basic Pokémon, which is huge for setup. Lunge Out's 10 damage is laughable, but Swinub isn't here to attack.
Salamence ex Secret Rare (177/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
This 320 HP Dragon-type monster excels at spreading damage and hitting hard. Wide Blast deals 50 damage to every Benched Pokémon, and Dragon Impact slams for 300 damage, but you have to discard two Energy. An absolute beast.
Hop's Zacian ex (111/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A Steel-type legendary with a brutal 240-damage attack. The downside? Brave Slash can't be used twice in a row, requiring a switching strategy. Insta-Strike does a little spread damage, but Zacian is here to knock things out in one hit.
Alcremie ex (075/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A support-heavy Psychic Pokémon that heals 30 damage every turn thanks to its Confectionary Gift ability. Whipped Shot's 160 damage is solid, but this card is best used as a sustain option in control decks.
Mimikyu ex (069/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A tricky Pokémon that loves spreading damage. Mischievous Hands puts three damage counters on two of your opponent's Pokémon, setting up knockouts later. Ghostly Trip deals 120 damage and Confuses the Active Pokémon, disrupting their plays.
Veluza ex (043/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A Water-type glass cannon that can hit for 240 damage — if you're willing to discard your whole hand. Purging Strike is high-risk, high-reward, and Razor Fin's 30 damage is barely worth mentioning. This card is all-in or nothing.
Lillie's Clefairy ex (056/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A Psychic-type that punishes Dragon decks with its Fairy Zone ability, which makes all Dragon Pokémon weak to Psychic. Full Moon Rondo scales its damage based on both players' Bench size, making it a potential late-game sweeper.
Volcanion ex (031/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A Fire-type bruiser that burns the opponent's Active Pokémon just by being in play, thanks to its Scalding Steam ability. Scorching Cyclone's 160 damage is great, and moving an Energy to a Benched Pokémon makes it even better.
Mamoswine ex (079/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
An absolute tank at 340 HP that can search your deck for any Pokémon once per turn with Mammoth Hauler. Rumbling March starts at 180 damage but scales up if you have more Stage 2 Pokémon on your Bench, making it terrifying in evolution-heavy decks.
Salamence ex (114/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
This is the second Salamence ex I pulled, and I'm not complaining. It has the same brutal power as the other one, with Wide Blast for spreading damage and Dragon Impact for a massive 300 damage hit. If you like big, hard-hitting Pokémon, this is the one to get.
Should You Buy Pokémon TCG: Journey Together?
Journey Together is poised to be one of the most exciting Pokémon TCG expansions in recent years. The return of Trainer's Pokémon, a nostalgic feature unseen for years, adds a new layer of personality to battles. Whether you're collecting cards for their stunning artwork, competitive value, or sheer nostalgia, this set offers something for everyone.
Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Booster Sleeves
9 $4.99 save 5% $4.74 at GameStop $4.49 at Best Buy
Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Build and Battle Box
8 $21.99 save 5% $20.89 at GameStop
Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Booster Bundle
7 $29.99 save 5% $28.49 at GameStop
Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Booster Box 36 Count
8 $160.99 at Best Buy See it at GameStop
Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Elite Trainer Box
9 See it at GameStop
Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Three Booster Blister
3 $14.99 save 5% $14.24 at GameStop
With the release date of March 28 just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start planning which cards you want to chase. Whether it's N's Reshiram, Iono's Bellibolt ex, or the elusive Hyper Rare Spiky Energy, there's no shortage of incredible pulls waiting to be discovered.
