Top Cards to Pull in Pokemon TCG Destined Rivals for Instant Victory

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As I eagerly crack open Pokémon TCG booster packs, it’s tempting to zero in on those Special Illustration Rares and Golden Full Arts that are often the talk of the town. But let me tell you, these cards aren’t always the ultimate catch from each expansion. Sometimes, the real gem is tucked away behind a potent ability or a phenomenal Trainer/Pokémon duo – don’t forget to keep an eye out for those hidden treasures!

In the expansion pack “Destined Rivals” for the game Scarlet and Violet, players will find a distinctive collection of cards to accumulate. This set includes Trainer cards for characters like Arven, Ethan, Marvel, Team Rocket, Steven, and Cynthia, as well as Key Item cards boasting special and potent effects. There’s an abundance of choices that players won’t want to overlook.

Before the official launch on May 30, 2025, we’ve had a sneak peek at the game set. There are several cards within the Destined Rivals packs that both competitive and casual players would be eager to acquire when they start opening them.

Best Trainer’s Cards in Destined Rivals

Your official first look at Cynthia’s Garchomp ex from #DestinedRivals

— Pokémon TCG (@PokemonTCG) May 1, 2025

Among the Trainer’s Cards introduced in Destined Rivals, some are notably strong choices for decks. These cards don’t require the illustrated rare version for acquisition, and it appears that the standard ex cards are easier to obtain compared to most of the Gold Star rares from this collection.

Cynthia’s Garchomp ex

This formidable Pokemon, known for its fighting abilities, should not be overlooked in the forthcoming deck constructions. Boasting a health points (HP) total of 330, and two attacks capable of inflicting over 100 damage each, it will effortlessly overpower opponents with ease.

Garchomp is a creature that evolves from an initial form, and the Rare Candy can expedite the cost of this evolution process. Its first attack, Corkscrew Drive, requires one Fighting-type Energy card, deals 100 damage, and enables players to draw cards until they possess six in their hand. On the other hand, Draconic Buster, which is another of its attacks, demands just two Fighting-type Energy cards and inflicts 260 damage instantly. Although players must discard all the Energy attached to Garchomp, it’s not hard to rebuild its power reserves.

Steven’s Metagross ex

In matches against swift opponents, it’s crucial for players to utilize Steel and Psychic-types for their speed advantage, and Steven’s Metagross rapidly takes control by arranging its setup on the bench. This Pokemon boasts an Ability called X-Boot, which enables the attachment of one Psychic and one Steel Energy to the same type Pokemon during a turn. This applies both to Active position Pokemon and those on the field, without interfering with the usual Energy assignment phase within the turn. This is an incredibly potent Ability, though its power is somewhat tempered by the requirement for Metagross to undergo a second-stage evolution.

Enhance the Metal Stomp ability with one Steel-type and two Colorless Energy, resulting in 200 damage being dealt without any repercussions. This move will allow players to trample and shatter their path to triumph.

Arven’s Mabosstiff ex

In the game meta of Scarlet and Violet, Pokemon with a dark-type have faced challenges. They lack strong attackers and strategies that can take a long time to execute, making it questionable to include them in decks. However, Arven’s Mabosstiff variant could potentially change this for fans of dark-types.

This colossal Pokemon boasts a massive health pool of 270 points and a seemingly modest attack. But upon closer inspection, you’ll find that the attack, Vigorous Tackle, is anything but ordinary. It starts with a base hit of 30 damage using a single Colorless Energy. However, if this Pokemon hasn’t sustained any damage prior to the attack, it will deal an additional 120 points of damage, making each strike a whopping 150! Pair this Pokemon with Arven’s Sandwich item, which restores a hefty 100 health points for Arven’s Pokémon, and it can deliver powerful blows to opponents at minimal expense.

As a dedicated fan, I’d say, “Boss Headbutt, costing three Colorless Energy, is definitely not something to overlook! It packs a punch, dealing 210 damage on alternate turns. With just one evolution required to deploy Mabosstiff, it becomes a formidable asset in competitive play, posing a significant threat.

Best Trainer Cards For Destined Rivals

Similar to standard Pokemon cards, Destined Rivals provides Pokemon Trading Card Game enthusiasts with several exceptional Trainer cards that are worth collecting. Some of these cards work optimally when paired with their corresponding Trainer’s card, while others can provide a swift boost regardless of the deck or Pokemon currently in play.

Sacred Ash

With this card, you can reshuffle as many as five Pokémon from your discard pile back into your deck. This gives players who might have misplaced crucial Pokémon at the start of the game an opportunity to reintroduce them onto the field. Cards such as these can prove beneficial when initial draws aren’t favorable for a competitor.

Cynthia’s Power Weight

Playing Pokemon Tools optimally offers a significant advantage in battles, and Cynthia’s Power Weight is one such card that works wonders when constructing a deck around Garchomp ex. This tool grants extra HP to cards belonging to Cynthia, amounting to an additional 70 HP. When incorporated into Garchomp ex, this enhancement elevates the Pokemon’s base HP from 330 to an impressive 400 at its maximum.

As a devoted trainer, I can confidently say that when Garchomp gets a powerful boost, it’s going to be a formidable force on the battlefield, persisting for an agonizingly extended period. This prolonged presence grants it ample chances to wreak havoc on my opponents’ Pokémon.

Arven’s Sandwich

Arven’s Sandwich is a straightforward healing card. When applied to any Pokémon, it restores 30 HP points. If used with Arven’s Pokémon, it significantly boosts the health of an in-play partner by 100 HP. For those using Mobosstiff, it’s an essential item to have on hand.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but be thrilled by the expansive card collection of Destined Rivals for Pokemon TCG! With an impressive roster of over 240 cards, it’s a veritable treasure trove for players seeking fresh decks or innovative strategies. No matter your playstyle, there’s something here that’ll surely catch your eye, and these cards are a fantastic starting point for new adventures in the world of Pokemon!

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2025-05-17 17:44