Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet — Journey Together drops on March 28, 2025, bringing again a mechanic we haven’t seen since 2004. Trainer’s Pokémon are making a comeback, similar to the classics from EX Team Magma vs. Team Aqua, and I couldn’t be extra excited to preview this set.
This set focuses on 4 iconic Trainers: N, Iono, Lillie, and Hop, every getting Pokémon ex that showcase the robust bonds they share with their groups. If you’ve ever needed a deck the place N’s Zoroark ex, Lillie’s Clefairy ex, or Iono’s Bellibolt ex take middle stage, now’s your probability.
My Journey Together Product Openings
With over 180 playing cards, there’s lots to chase. The set consists of 40+ Trainer’s Pokémon, 16 Pokémon ex, 11 Illustration Rares, six Special Illustration Rares, and three Hyper Rare gold playing cards. Box Toppers are additionally making a return, with Enhanced Booster Display Boxes that includes a stamped N’s Reshiram Illustration Rare.
Journey Together Standard Booster Box
Opening a Booster Box is pure chaos in one of the best ways. With 36 packs, the sheer quantity makes each pull actually thrilling. My highlights embrace N’s Reshiram Illustration Rare, Iono’s Bellibolt ex Secret Rare, and a Hyper Rare Spiky Energy. Those have been some significantly thrilling moments, however even outdoors of the large hits, I pulled tons of stable ex playing cards which can be going straight into my decks.
The one card I needed most, Hop’s Zacian ex, didn’t present up. Lillie’s Clefairy ex Special Art Rare? Also lacking, however that’s simply how Booster Boxes go. You get a ton of probabilities, however nothing is assured. That mentioned, this was nonetheless one of the best ways to expertise the set. If you’re keen on opening packs or simply need a large injection of playing cards into your assortment, a Booster Box is all the time a great time. Check out all of the uncommon pulls additional down. This field was completely value it for me.
Journey Together Elite Trainer Box
Elite Trainer Boxes all the time really feel extra premium than simply grabbing free packs. Right away, the N’s Zorua promo caught my eye, and the field itself is ideal for storing playing cards. The sleeves, cube, and situation markers are nice for anybody who performs the sport, and with 9 booster packs, there’s nonetheless loads of room for some good pulls.
I wasn’t anticipating something too loopy with solely 9 packs, however I nonetheless walked away with Iono’s Kilowattrel Illustration Rare, Articuno Illustration Rare, and a Veluza ex. Some actually enjoyable playing cards that made the opening really feel completely value it. ETBs don’t have the sheer variety of hits {that a} Booster Box does, however there’s one thing good about having a structured, all-in-one product like this. If you need a mixture of pack-opening enjoyable and collectible extras, it is a nice approach to expertise Journey Together. Check out the total listing of uncommon playing cards from our preview additional down. We ended up with some critical gems.
Journey Together Build & Battle Box
Build & Battle Boxes are a very completely different expertise in comparison with a Booster Box or Elite Trainer Box, however they’ve their very own sort of pleasure. The massive draw right here is the prebuilt 40-card deck, which helps you to leap straight right into a recreation with out spending time sorting by way of stacks of playing cards. I pulled Hop’s Snorlax as my promo, which is definitely a reasonably nice card. Its potential provides all of Hop’s Pokémon a 30-damage increase, making it nearly important to any deck operating his lineup.
Those 4 packs didn’t disappoint. I pulled Mamoswine ex and Swinub Illustration Rare, which couldn’t have match my deck’s theme higher. The restricted variety of packs means you gained’t get as many uncommon pulls as a Booster Box (unsurprisingly), however in case you’re searching for a quick approach to begin enjoying with the brand new set, that is simply the best choice. With 4 completely different promo playing cards obtainable, I already need to decide up one other field to see which one I get subsequent. Check out my Journey Together preview pulls under to see a few of the finest playing cards we obtained from throughout all our openings.
Our Pokémon TCG: Journey Together Pulls
I cracked open 49 booster packs throughout all our merchandise and ended up with 18 uncommon playing cards. Some have been precisely what I hoped for, and others have been complete surprises. One factor is for positive, trainers might be pulling much more uncommon playing cards than Prismatic Evolutions. Here’s what I pulled:
Hop’s Snorlax (Promo 184)
A cumbersome Basic Pokémon with 150 HP that reinforces all of Hop’s Pokémon assaults by 30 additional harm. This is a superb card for any Trainer-themed deck, and whereas Dynamic Press hits laborious, that 80 recoil harm stings. Still, the flexibility alone makes it a worthwhile addition to any Hop-based technique.
N’s Zorua (Promo 189)
A cute however unremarkable card that exists to evolve into one thing higher. 70 HP and 20 harm from Scratch gained’t flip any heads, but when Zoroark ex is robust on this set, Zorua could have its second.
Spiky Energy Hyper Rare (190/159)
An instantaneous staple in my decks. It offers 20 harm each time the Pokémon it’s connected to will get hit, making it each offensive and defensive on the similar time. Oh, and it gives Colorless Energy too. Absolute win.
Iono’s Bellibolt ex-Secret Rare (172/159)
A 280 HP Lightning-type beast with Energy acceleration for days. Its Electric Streamer potential enables you to connect limitless Lightning Energy to Iono’s Pokémon, making it an instantaneous engine for Lightning decks. Thunderous Bolt’s 230 harm is nice, even when it does imply skipping a flip. This one’s going to see play.
Iris’s Fighting Spirit Full Art (180/159)
A risk-reward draw Supporter that allows you to discard one card and draw till you could have six. This is an effective way to refresh your hand, particularly in decks that profit from discarding Energy or Pokémon. It’s a full artwork, too, which makes it even sweeter.
Iono’s Kilowattrel Illustration Rare (163/159)
A Lightning-type assist Pokémon that allows you to refill your hand with its Flashing Draw potential. The catch? You should discard a Lightning Energy first. Mach Bolt’s 70 harm is common, however this chook is extra about hand benefit than brute pressure.
N’s Reshiram Illustration Rare (167/159)
A 130 HP Dragon-type that turns into extra harmful the extra harm it takes. Powerful Rage can rack up critical numbers, whereas Virtuous Flame’s 170 harm is stable however somewhat Energy-intensive. If you want high-risk, high-reward performs, this one’s for you.
Articuno Illustration Rare (161/159)
A Water-type setup Pokémon that may speed up two Basic Water Energy onto itself with Frigid Fluttering. That’s helpful for getting it battle-ready quick, and Ice Blast’s 110 harm is respectable. This is a superb beginning piece for any Water deck.
Swinub Illustration Rare (165/159)
This lovable little man is definitely actually helpful early-game. Call for Family enables you to search your deck for 2 Basic Pokémon, which is large for setup. Lunge Out’s 10 harm is laughable, however let’s be actual, Swinub isn’t right here to assault.
Salamence ex Secret Rare (177/159)
This 320 HP Dragon-type monster does two issues very well — unfold harm and hit like a truck. Wide Blast offers 50 harm to each Benched Pokémon, and Dragon Impact slams for 300 harm, however it’s important to discard two Energy. Absolute beast.
Hop’s Zacian ex (111/159)
A Steel-type legendary with a brutal 240-damage assault. The draw back? Brave Slash can’t be used twice in a row, which suggests you want a switching technique. Insta-Strike does somewhat unfold harm, however Zacian is right here to knock issues out in a single hit.
Alcremie ex (075/159)
A support-heavy Psychic Pokémon that heals 30 harm each flip because of its Confectionary Gift potential. Whipped Shot’s 160 harm is stable, however this card is finest used as a maintain choice in management decks.
Mimikyu ex (069/159)
A tough Pokémon that loves spreading harm. Mischievous Hands places three harm counters on two of your opponent’s Pokémon, establishing knockouts later. Ghostly Trip offers 120 harm and Confuses the Active Pokémon, which is an effective way to disrupt their performs.
Veluza ex (043/159)
A Water-type glass cannon that may hit for 240 harm — in case you’re keen to discard your complete hand. Purging Strike is high-risk, high-reward, and Razor Fin’s 30 harm is barely value mentioning. This card is all-in or nothing.
Lillie’s Clefairy ex (056/159)
A Psychic-type that punishes Dragon decks with its Fairy Zone potential, which makes all Dragon Pokémon weak to Psychic. Full Moon Rondo scales its harm based mostly on each gamers’ Bench dimension, making it a possible late-game sweeper.
Volcanion ex (031/159)
A Fire-type bruiser that burns the opponent’s Active Pokémon simply by being in play, because of its Scalding Steam potential.Scorching Cyclone’s 160 harm is nice, and shifting an Energy to a Benched Pokémon makes it even higher.
Mamoswine ex (079/159)
An absolute tank at 340 HP that may search your deck for any Pokémon as soon as per flip with Mammoth Hauler. Rumbling March begins at 180 harm however scales up when you’ve got extra Stage 2 Pokémon in your Bench, which makes it terrifying in evolution-heavy decks.
Salamence ex (114/159)
This is the second Salamence ex I pulled, and I’m not complaining. Same brutal energy as the opposite one with Wide Blast for spreading harm and Dragon Impact for an enormous 300 harm hit. If you want massive, hard-hitting Pokémon, that is the one.
Should You Buy Pokémon TCG: Journey Together?
Journey Together is shaping as much as be some of the thrilling Pokémon TCG expansions in years. The return of Trainer’s Pokémon, a nostalgic characteristic that hasn’t been seen in years, provides an additional layer of persona to battles. If you are accumulating playing cards for his or her gorgeous art work, aggressive worth, or simply sheer nostalgia, this set has one thing for everybody.
With its March 28 launch date simply across the nook, now’s the time to start out planning which playing cards you need to chase. Whether it’s N’s Reshiram, Iono’s Bellibolt ex, or the elusive Hyper Rare Spiky Energy, there’s no scarcity of unbelievable pulls ready to be discovered.
Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN overlaying every part collectable and offers. Christian has over 7 years of expertise within the Gaming and Tech trade with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian additionally makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian can be the writer of “Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior”. Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.
