The latest Pokémon TCG set, Scarlet & Violet - Destined Rivals, was fully unveiled on March 24, with pre-orders already underway. If you've been a collector for a while, you won't be shocked to learn that the launch has been tumultuous, with scalpers and store issues already causing chaos around the new set.
Scheduled to launch on May 30, 2025, Destined Rivals is highly anticipated for several reasons. It marks the return of Trainer's Pokémon cards, a nostalgic nod to vintage cards like Brock's Sandslash or Rocket's Mewtwo. These cards are beloved for creatively integrating iconic Trainers with their Pokémon. Moreover, Destined Rivals focuses on Team Rocket, the infamous antagonists from the first generation of Pokémon games, adding to its allure. Much like the Prismatic Evolutions set with its Eevee-lutions earlier in the year, Destined Rivals promises to be a fan-favorite.
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Destined Rivals Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box Images
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When pre-orders for the Elite Trainer Box (ETB) opened, the Pokémon Center website quickly became overwhelmed, leaving many enthusiasts unable to purchase. Scalpers capitalized on the situation, listing pre-orders of the Pokémon Center-specific ETB on eBay for several hundred dollars, far above the usual $54.99 price tag. Joe Merrick of Serebii expressed his frustration on social media, highlighting how the hobby has shifted towards financial speculation and flipping products for profit.
This situation is not unique to Destined Rivals; previous sets like Prismatic Evolutions and Blooming Waters 151 also faced similar shortages and scalping issues. The Pokémon Company has acknowledged the situation, stating in an FAQ (as reported by PokéBeach) that more inventory of the Destined Rivals ETB will be available later in the year. Despite these assurances, some customers report their ETB orders being canceled, adding to the frustration.
The high demand and popularity of the Pokémon TCG are evident, but these issues are souring the hobby for many who simply want to enjoy opening packs and playing the game. While Pokémon TCG Pocket offers a digital alternative, the struggles of physical product scarcity remain a significant issue. A visit to your local store's card aisle is likely to show how challenging it can be to find packs of these eagerly awaited sets. Hopefully, solutions will emerge soon to address these ongoing challenges.
