Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet — Journey Together drops on March 28, 2025, bringing back a mechanic we haven’t seen since 2004. Trainer’s Pokémon are making a comeback, identical to the classics from EX Team Magma vs. Team Aqua, and I couldn’t be more 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 wished a deck the place N’s Zoroark ex, Lillie’s Clefairy ex, or Iono’s Bellibolt ex take middle stage, now’s your likelihood.
My Journey Together Product Openings
With over 180 playing cards, there’s lots to chase. The set contains 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 simplest ways. With 36 packs, the sheer quantity makes each pull actually thrilling. My highlights embody N’s Reshiram Illustration Rare, Iono’s Bellibolt ex Secret Rare, and a Hyper Rare Spiky Energy. Those have been some critically thrilling moments, however even exterior of the massive hits, I pulled tons of stable ex playing cards which might be going straight into my decks.
The one card I wished most, Hop’s Zacian ex, didn’t show 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 simplest ways to expertise the set. If you like opening packs or simply need a huge injection of playing cards into your assortment, a Booster Box is at all times a good time. Check out all of the uncommon pulls additional down. This field was completely price it for me.
Journey Together Elite Trainer Box
Elite Trainer Boxes at all times really feel more premium than simply grabbing unfastened packs. Right away, the N’s Zorua promo caught my eye, and the field itself is ideal for storing cards. The sleeves, cube, and situation markers are great for anybody who plays the game, and with 9 booster packs, there’s nonetheless lots 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 price it. ETBs don’t have the sheer quantity 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 combine of pack-opening enjoyable and collectible extras, that is a great method to expertise Journey Together. Check out the total record 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 completely completely different expertise in contrast to a Booster Box or Elite Trainer Box, however they’ve their own form of pleasure. The massive draw right here is the prebuilt 40-card deck, which helps you to leap straight into a game with out spending time sorting by way of stacks of playing cards. I pulled Hop’s Snorlax as my promo, which is definitely a fairly great card. Its potential offers all of Hop’s Pokémon a 30-harm enhance, making it virtually 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 quantity of packs means you received’t get as many uncommon pulls as a Booster Box (unsurprisingly), however in the event you’re trying for a quick method to begin taking part in with the brand new set, that is simply the most effective option. With 4 completely different promo playing cards accessible, I already need to decide up one other field to see which one I get subsequent. Check out my Journey Together preview pulls beneath to see some of the most effective playing cards we received 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 whole surprises. One factor is for sure, trainers can be pulling a lot 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 enhances all of Hop’s Pokémon assaults by 30 further harm. This is a great card for any Trainer-themed deck, and whereas Dynamic Press hits arduous, that 80 recoil harm stings. Still, the power alone makes it a worthwhile addition to any Hop-based strategy.
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 received’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 on the spot 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 helps you to connect limitless Lightning Energy to Iono’s Pokémon, making it an on the spot engine for Lightning decks. Thunderous Bolt’s 230 harm is great, 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 permits you to discard one card and draw till you’ve six. This is a great method to refresh your hand, particularly in decks that benefit 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 help Pokémon that permits you to refill your hand with its Flashing Draw potential. The catch? You have to discard a Lightning Energy first. Mach Bolt’s 70 harm is average, however this chicken is more about hand benefit than brute drive.
N’s Reshiram Illustration Rare (167/159)
A 130 HP Dragon-type that turns into more harmful the more harm it takes. Powerful Rage can rack up critical numbers, whereas Virtuous Flame’s 170 harm is stable however a little Energy-intensive. If you want high-risk, high-reward plays, 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-prepared quick, and Ice Blast’s 110 harm is respectable. This is a great beginning piece for any Water deck.
Swinub Illustration Rare (165/159)
This lovable little man is definitely actually helpful early-game. Call for Family helps you to search your deck for two Basic Pokémon, which is big 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 rather 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 you’ve to discard two Energy. Absolute beast.
Hop’s Zacian ex (111/159)
A Steel-type legendary with a brutal 240-harm assault. The draw back? Brave Slash can’t be used twice in a row, which suggests you need a switching strategy. Insta-Strike does a little unfold harm, however Zacian is right here to knock issues out in a single hit.
Alcremie ex (075/159)
A help-heavy Psychic Pokémon that heals 30 harm each flip thanks to its Confectionary Gift potential. Whipped Shot’s 160 harm is stable, however this card is greatest used as a maintain option in control decks.
Mimikyu ex (069/159)
A difficult Pokémon that loves spreading harm. Mischievous Hands places three harm counters on two of your opponent’s Pokémon, setting up knockouts later. Ghostly Trip offers 120 harm and Confuses the Active Pokémon, which is a great method to disrupt their plays.
Veluza ex (043/159)
A Water-type glass cannon that may hit for 240 harm — in the event you’re prepared to discard your complete hand. Purging Strike is high-risk, high-reward, and Razor Fin’s 30 harm is barely price 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 primarily based on each gamers’ Bench dimension, making it a potential late-game sweeper.
Volcanion ex (031/159)
A Fire-type bruiser that burns the opponent’s Active Pokémon simply by being in play, thanks to its Scalding Steam potential.Scorching Cyclone’s 160 harm is great, 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 you probably have more 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 a huge 300 harm hit. If you want massive, arduous-hitting Pokémon, that is the one.
Should You Buy Pokémon TCG: Journey Together?
Journey Together is shaping up to be one of probably the most thrilling Pokémon TCG expansions in years. The return of Trainer’s Pokémon, a nostalgic function that hasn’t been seen in years, provides an further layer of persona to battles. If you're accumulating playing cards for their gorgeous art work, aggressive worth, or simply sheer nostalgia, this set has one thing for everybody.
With its March 28 release date simply across the nook, now’s the time to begin 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 unimaginable pulls ready to be discovered.
Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN overlaying all the things collectable and offers. Christian has over 7 years of expertise within the Gaming and Tech industry 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.