The highly anticipated Pokémon TCG set, Scarlet & Violet - Destined Rivals, was fully unveiled on March 24 and is set to launch on May 30, 2025. As expected, the launch window has been chaotic, with scalpers and store issues already impacting the new set's availability. If you're a long-time collector, this news might not come as a surprise.
Several factors contribute to the high demand for Destined Rivals. Notably, it marks the return of Trainer's Pokémon cards, a beloved archetype from the vintage sets like Brock's Sandslash or Rocket's Mewtwo. These cards uniquely tie iconic Trainers to their Pokémon, sparking excitement among fans. Additionally, the set revolves around Team Rocket, the infamous villainous team from the first generation of Pokémon, further fueling its popularity. Much like the Prismatic Evolutions set earlier this year, which focused on Eevee-lutions, Destined Rivals is poised to be a fan-favorite.
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Destined Rivals Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box Images
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When pre-orders opened, the Pokémon Center website was quickly overwhelmed, leaving many fans unable to secure an Elite Trainer Box (ETB). These themed boxes, which include packs and other accessories, are a popular choice for those eager to dive into a new set. Unsurprisingly, scalpers seized the opportunity, listing pre-orders of the Pokémon Center-specific ETB on sites like eBay for several hundred dollars, far above the regular price of $54.99.
Joe Merrick from Serebii expressed his frustration, highlighting the shift of Pokémon TCG towards a financial investment rather than a hobby. "I truly hate this," Merrick wrote. "The way almost all Pokemon TCG content has shifted to financial. The way that people just treat it as investment. The way people just want to flip it. It's disgusting. Shame on all involved."
Unfortunately, this issue is not unique to Destined Rivals. Previous sets like Prismatic Evolutions and the Blooming Waters 151 box also faced similar shortages and quick sell-outs. The Pokémon Company has announced that more inventory of the Destined Rivals ETB will be available later this year, according to a FAQ on PokéBeach.
In addition to scalping, some fans are reporting that their ETB orders are being cancelled, further exacerbating the frustration. The demand for Pokémon TCG products is soaring, but the challenges of securing physical cards are diminishing the joy of the hobby for many enthusiasts.
While Pokémon TCG Pocket offers a virtual alternative to the physical card scarcity, the struggle to obtain physical packs and engage in traditional gameplay remains a significant concern. A visit to your local store's card aisle will likely reveal the difficulty in finding these sought-after packs. With such exciting releases, it's doubly frustrating to face these hurdles. Hopefully, solutions will emerge soon to alleviate these issues.
