🔥 Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals – Should You Buy Now or Wait?

The Scarlet & Violet — Destined Rivals set is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Pokémon TCG releases of 2025. With pre-orders already selling out and prices fluctuating rapidly, many collectors and players are asking the same question:

Should I buy Destined Rivals now or wait for the dust to settle?

Let’s break down what we know so far — including card art, gameplay expectations, current pricing, and expert insight — to help you make the best decision.

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🧠 What is Destined Rivals?

Destined Rivals (SV10) is the next major English set in the Pokémon TCG, officially releasing on May 30, 2025. It features iconic rivalries in the Pokémon universe including:

• Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex
• Cynthia’s Garchomp ex
• Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex

This set is inspired by Japan’s Shiny Treasure EX and Shiny Trifecta subset models and focuses heavily on fan-favorite characters and legendary Pokémon.

📚 Source: Polygon

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🎨 The Card Art Is a Major Draw

What’s setting Destined Rivals apart is the stunning Illustration Rares and Special Illustration Rares. Pokémon Center and collectors across TikTok and Reddit are praising the dynamic visuals that add character-driven storytelling to the cards.

Highlighted Artwork:

• Team Rocket’s Moltres flying through a fiery backdrop
• Cynthia gazing over Garchomp in a serene but powerful pose
• Ethan summoning Ho-Oh, filled with nostalgic Johto vibes

These cards don’t just look good — they tell a story. And that’s driving up demand across social media platforms.

📚 Source: Reddit

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💸 Price Breakdown & Market Behavior

Here’s where it gets tricky. Prices for sealed products have already seen major shifts — and the set hasn’t even launched yet.

📚 Source: Resell Calendar

Many stores are sold out of pre-orders, forcing buyers to consider secondary markets — where prices are marked up by 50–200%.

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⚖️ Should You Wait or Jump In?

Let’s weigh the pros and cons.

✅ Reasons to Buy Now

• You’re a collector who wants top-tier cards before prices rise again
• You want guaranteed access to sealed products that may go out of stock
• You value exclusives, like the Pokémon Center ETB promos

❌ Reasons to Wait

• Reprints could come in 3–6 months and lower prices
• Gameplay over collecting? You may want to test viability before investing
• You're a budget buyer — the hype markup might not be worth it

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🔍 Final Thoughts

Destined Rivals is a visually stunning set that’s already making waves in the community. If you're looking for collector value, or you’ve fallen in love with the card art, grabbing a product or two at launch may be worth it — especially if you can get it at or near MSRP.

But if you’re hesitant due to cost, and you’re not hunting chase cards, waiting for post-release restocks could save you money.

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🛒 Where to Buy

If you're ready to make a move, check reputable sources like:

• Pokémon Center
• TCG Stadium
• Best Buy
• GameStop

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