The Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet — Journey Together set is set to launch on March 28, 2025, and it's bringing back a beloved mechanic from 2004: Trainer's Pokémon. This nostalgic feature, reminiscent of the classics from EX Team Magma vs. Team Aqua, promises to add a unique layer of personality to your battles. I'm thrilled to offer a sneak peek into what this set has in store.

Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Booster Sleeves

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Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Build and Battle Box

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Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Booster Bundle

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Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Booster Box 36 Count

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Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Elite Trainer Box

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Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Three Booster Blister

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This set spotlights four iconic Trainers: N, Iono, Lillie, and Hop, each paired with special Pokémon ex that highlight the deep bonds they share with their teams. If you've been dreaming of building a deck centered around N’s Zoroark ex, Lillie’s Clefairy ex, or Iono’s Bellibolt ex, your dreams are about to come true.

Check out the full Pokémon TCG Release Schedule for 2025

My Journey Together Product Openings

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.

With over 180 cards to discover, this set is packed with excitement. It includes over 40 Trainer's Pokémon, 16 Pokémon ex, 11 Illustration Rares, six Special Illustration Rares, and three Hyper Rare gold cards. Plus, Box Toppers are back, with Enhanced Booster Display Boxes featuring a stamped N’s Reshiram Illustration Rare.

Journey Together Standard Booster Box

Opening a Booster Box is an exhilarating experience. With 36 packs, the anticipation builds with each pull. My standout cards included N’s Reshiram Illustration Rare, Iono’s Bellibolt ex Secret Rare, and a Hyper Rare Spiky Energy. These were thrilling moments, and even beyond the big hits, I pulled numerous solid ex cards that I'm eager to add to my decks.

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.

Unfortunately, the one card I was most eager to find, Hop’s Zacian ex, eluded me. Lillie’s Clefairy ex Special Art Rare was another no-show, but that's the thrill of Booster Boxes — you get many chances, but nothing is guaranteed. Despite this, opening a Booster Box remains the best way to dive deep into the set. If you enjoy opening packs or want to significantly boost your collection, a Booster Box is a fantastic choice. Check out all the rare pulls further down. For me, this box was absolutely worth it.

Journey Together Elite Trainer Box

Elite Trainer Boxes offer a more premium feel compared to loose packs. The N’s Zorua promo immediately caught my attention, and the box itself is perfect for storing cards. The included sleeves, dice, and condition markers are ideal for players, and with nine booster packs, there's still a good chance for exciting pulls.

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.

With only nine packs, I wasn't expecting miracles, but I was pleasantly surprised with Iono’s Kilowattrel Illustration Rare, Articuno Illustration Rare, and a Veluza ex. These are fun cards that made the opening worthwhile. While ETBs might not yield as many hits as a Booster Box, they provide a structured, all-in-one product that's great for experiencing Journey Together. If you're after a blend of pack-opening excitement and collectible extras, this is an excellent choice. Check out the full list of rare cards from our preview further down. We ended up with some amazing gems.

Journey Together Build & Battle Box

Build & Battle Boxes offer a unique experience compared to Booster Boxes or Elite Trainer Boxes. The highlight here is the prebuilt 40-card deck, allowing you to start playing right away without sorting through cards. I was lucky enough to pull Hop’s Snorlax as my promo, a great card that boosts all of Hop’s Pokémon by 30 damage, making it a key component in any Hop-themed deck.

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.

The four packs in the box didn't disappoint either. I pulled Mamoswine ex and Swinub Illustration Rare, which perfectly complemented my deck's theme. While you won't get as many rare pulls as with a Booster Box, Build & Battle Boxes are ideal for quickly diving into gameplay with the new set. With four different promo cards available, I'm already tempted to pick up another box to see what I get next. Check out my Journey Together preview pulls below to see some of the best cards we got from all our openings.

Our Pokémon TCG: Journey Together Pulls

I opened 49 booster packs across all our products and pulled 18 rare cards. Some were exactly what I hoped for, while others were unexpected surprises. Trainers will definitely be pulling more rare cards than in Prismatic Evolutions. Here’s what I got:

Hop’s Snorlax (Promo 184)

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This bulky Basic Pokémon with 150 HP boosts all of Hop’s Pokémon attacks by an extra 30 damage. It's a fantastic addition to any Trainer-themed deck. While Dynamic Press packs a punch, the 80 recoil damage is a downside. Nevertheless, the ability alone makes it a valuable card for Hop-based strategies.

N’s Zorua (Promo 189)

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This card is cute but unremarkable on its own. With 70 HP and 20 damage from Scratch, it's designed to evolve into something more powerful. If Zoroark ex is strong in this set, Zorua will have its moment.

Spiky Energy Hyper Rare (190/159)

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This card is an instant staple in my decks. It deals 20 damage every time the Pokémon it's attached to is hit, offering both offensive and defensive benefits. Plus, it provides Colorless Energy. It's a definite win.

Iono’s Bellibolt ex-Secret Rare (172/159)

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This Lightning-type beast boasts 280 HP and incredible Energy acceleration. Its Electric Streamer ability allows unlimited Lightning Energy attachment to Iono’s Pokémon, making it a powerhouse in Lightning decks. Thunderous Bolt hits for 230 damage, though it means skipping a turn. This card is sure to see competitive play.

Iris’s Fighting Spirit Full Art (180/159)

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This risk-reward draw Supporter lets you discard one card and draw until you have six. It's perfect for refreshing your hand, especially in decks that benefit from discarding Energy or Pokémon. Plus, it's a stunning full art card.

Iono’s Kilowattrel Illustration Rare (163/159)

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This Lightning-type support Pokémon refills your hand with its Flashing Draw ability, but you need to discard a Lightning Energy first. Mach Bolt’s 70 damage is decent, but this bird is all about hand advantage.

N’s Reshiram Illustration Rare (167/159)

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This 130 HP Dragon-type becomes more dangerous as it takes damage. Powerful Rage can accumulate high damage numbers, while Virtuous Flame’s 170 damage is solid but Energy-intensive. If you enjoy high-risk, high-reward strategies, this card is for you.

Articuno Illustration Rare (161/159)

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This Water-type setup Pokémon accelerates two Basic Water Energy onto itself with Frigid Fluttering, making it battle-ready quickly. Ice Blast’s 110 damage is respectable, making it a great starting piece for any Water deck.

Swinub Illustration Rare (165/159)

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This adorable card is highly useful early-game. Call for Family lets you search your deck for two Basic Pokémon, which is crucial for setup. Lunge Out’s 10 damage is minimal, but Swinub is here for support, not attacking.

Salamence ex Secret Rare (177/159)

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This 320 HP Dragon-type excels at spreading damage and hitting hard. Wide Blast deals 50 damage to every Benched Pokémon, and Dragon Impact slams for 300 damage, requiring you to discard two Energy. It's a formidable card.

Hop’s Zacian ex (111/159)

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This Steel-type legendary delivers a brutal 240-damage attack. However, Brave Slash can't be used consecutively, necessitating a switching strategy. Insta-Strike offers some spread damage, but Zacian is all about one-hit knockouts.

Alcremie ex (075/159)

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This Psychic-type support Pokémon heals 30 damage every turn with its Confectionary Gift ability. Whipped Shot’s 160 damage is solid, but Alcremie is best used for sustaining control decks.

Mimikyu ex (069/159)

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This tricky Pokémon spreads damage with Mischievous Hands, placing three damage counters on two of your opponent’s Pokémon. Ghostly Trip deals 120 damage and Confuses the Active Pokémon, disrupting their plays.

Veluza ex (043/159)

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This Water-type glass cannon can hit for 240 damage, but you must discard your whole hand to use Purging Strike. Razor Fin’s 30 damage is minimal, making this card a high-risk, high-reward choice.

Lillie’s Clefairy ex (056/159)

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This Psychic-type punishes Dragon decks with its Fairy Zone ability, making all Dragon Pokémon weak to Psychic. Full Moon Rondo scales its damage based on both players’ Bench size, making it a potential late-game sweeper.

Volcanion ex (031/159)

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This Fire-type bruiser burns the opponent’s Active Pokémon with its Scalding Steam ability. Scorching Cyclone’s 160 damage is impressive, and moving an Energy to a Benched Pokémon makes it even more valuable.

Mamoswine ex (079/159)

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This 340 HP tank can search your deck for any Pokémon once per turn with Mammoth Hauler. Rumbling March starts at 180 damage but scales up with more Stage 2 Pokémon on your Bench, making it terrifying in evolution-heavy decks.

Salamence ex (114/159)

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This is the second Salamence ex I pulled, and I'm thrilled. It offers the same brutal power as the other with Wide Blast for spreading damage and Dragon Impact for a massive 300 damage hit. If you enjoy big, hard-hitting Pokémon, this is the card for you.

Should You Buy Pokémon TCG: Journey Together?

Journey Together is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling Pokémon TCG expansions in recent years. The return of Trainer's Pokémon, a feature that hasn't been seen in years, adds a delightful layer of nostalgia and personality to your battles. Whether you're collecting for stunning artwork, competitive value, or sheer nostalgia, this set offers something for everyone.

Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Booster Sleeves

9 $4.99 save 5% $4.74 at GameStop $4.49 at Best Buy

Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Build and Battle Box

8 $21.99 save 5% $20.89 at GameStop

Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Booster Bundle

7 $29.99 save 5% $28.49 at GameStop

Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Booster Box 36 Count

8 $160.99 at Best Buy See it at GameStop

Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Elite Trainer Box

9 See it at GameStop

Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Three Booster Blister

3 $14.99 save 5% $14.24 at GameStop

With the March 28 release date approaching, now is the perfect time to plan which cards you want to chase. Whether you're after N’s Reshiram, Iono’s Bellibolt ex, or the elusive Hyper Rare Spiky Energy, there’s no shortage of incredible pulls waiting to be discovered.