Destined Rivals Pokémon Cards: What to Chase & Why
Destined Rivals dropped in September 2024 as part of the Scarlet & Violet era, and it’s quickly become one of the most discussed sets amongst UK collectors. Why? Because it does something genuinely interesting: it centres entirely on iconic Pokémon rivalries throughout the series. Charizard vs Blastoise. Kyogre vs Groudon. Zacian vs Zamazenta. You get the picture.
But here’s what matters more than the theme: the card quality is excellent, and the chase cards actually hold value. If you’re deciding whether to pick up a Destined Rivals booster pack or you’re trying to work out which singles to target, this guide breaks down exactly what’s worth your time and money.
What Makes Destined Rivals Different?
Most modern sets follow a predictable pattern — a handful of chase cards, decent pull rates, and a lot of filler. Destined Rivals breaks that mould slightly by offering better-than-average Special Illustration Rares (SIRs) and a tighter focus on competitive playability.
The set contains 141 cards in the main collection, plus 42 secret rares. That’s actually quite compact compared to recent bloated releases. Pull rates sit around 1 Special Illustration Rare per 2-3 booster boxes on average, though your mileage will vary. The good news? Even the non-chase hits are visually impressive, which makes opening packs more rewarding than usual.
What really sets this apart is the dual nature of the cards. Nearly every major hit features two Pokémon locked in confrontation. The artwork consistently delivers on the rivalry theme rather than just slapping the concept onto random cards.
💡 Quick Tip
Japanese SV Destined Rivals packs often feature slightly better centering quality than English prints. If you’re chasing high-grade cards for grading, it’s worth considering Japanese versions despite the higher upfront cost.
The Chase Cards Worth Your Attention
Let’s talk about the destined rivals pokemon cards that actually command attention in the market. These aren’t just pretty — they hold value and collector interest.
Charizard ex & Blastoise ex Special Illustration Rare
This is the crown jewel. The SIR featuring both Kanto starters locked in battle currently sits around £180-220 in near-mint condition in the UK market. The artwork, illustrated by Kouki Saitou, shows Charizard’s flames meeting Blastoise’s water cannons in an explosive mid-battle moment.
Why it matters: This captures peak nostalgia whilst delivering genuinely stunning art. It’s the card most people crack packs hoping to pull. Raw copies have already shown steady appreciation since release, and PSA 10 examples are commanding significant premiums.
Kyogre ex & Groudon ex Special Illustration Rare
The Hoenn legendary duo comes in hot at around £90-120. This card depicts the ancient clash between sea and land with dramatic weather effects. It’s slightly less sought-after than the Charizard/Blastoise pairing, but Gen III collectors absolutely love it.
The artwork by PLANETA Mochizuki has incredible depth, with Kyogre emerging from a tidal wave whilst Groudon stands firm on fractured earth. It’s one of those cards that photographs well but looks even better in hand.
Zacian V & Zamazenta V Gold Rare
The Galar legendaries get the gold treatment, and these sit around £50-70 for the pair. Gold rares always divide opinion — some collectors love the bling, others find them garish — but these particular cards have held value surprisingly well.
They’re also playable in certain competitive decks, which helps maintain demand beyond pure collecting interest.
Mew ex & Mewtwo ex Alternate Art
Not technically a rivalry card in the same confrontational sense, but the genetic counterparts share an alternate art that’s become surprisingly popular. Trading around £60-80, this one appeals to fans of the original Pokémon movie and anyone who appreciates the clone/original dynamic.
Competitive Players: What Actually Sees Play?
Chase cards are lovely, but if you’re building decks rather than binders, you care about different things entirely. SV Destined Rivals delivered several competitively relevant cards that have made impacts in tournament play.
The Charizard ex from this set sees legitimate play in Fire-type decks, offering solid damage output and energy acceleration. It’s not tier-one defining, but it’s absolutely viable for local tournaments and online ladder climbing.
Blastoise ex has found a home in Water-type control strategies, particularly paired with cards that benefit from bench sniping. The ability to spread damage whilst maintaining board presence makes it genuinely useful.
Perhaps most interesting is the Supporter card “Rival’s Spirit”, which has become a staple in several aggressive deck archetypes. It’s an uncommon, not a chase rare, but competitive players are picking up playsets because it genuinely improves consistency in certain builds.
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Scarlet & Violet Booster Packs
Looking to chase those Destined Rivals hits? We stock English, Japanese, and Korean SV era packs with fast UK delivery.View at Pack Kingdom →
Pull Rates and What to Expect
Let’s be honest about odds because nobody benefits from unrealistic expectations. Opening a destined rivals booster pack gives you:
- Approximately 1 ex card or better per 4-5 packs (this includes regular ex, full art, alternate art, and special illustration rares)
- Roughly 1 Special Illustration Rare per 72-90 packs (so 2-3 booster boxes)
- Ultra Rare or better in about 1 in 3 packs
These rates align with recent Scarlet & Violet sets, which means pull rates aren’t particularly generous compared to older eras. You’re not guaranteed a chase card even in a full booster box.
That’s not to discourage opening — the thrill of the pull is half the fun — but if you’re after specific cards for completion or grading, buying singles often makes more financial sense once prices settle.
English vs Japanese: Which Version Should You Buy?
This matters more than casual collectors often realise. Both versions have their merits, and the “right” choice depends entirely on what you’re after.
| Factor | English Version | Japanese Version |
|---|---|---|
| Print Quality | Good, but centering issues more common | Consistently superior centering and cut |
| Price per Pack | £4-5 typically | £5-7 typically |
| Set Size | Larger with more filler | Tighter, more focused card list |
| Resale Value | Higher market demand in UK/US | Growing collector premium, especially graded |
| Tournament Legal | Yes (with translations if needed) | Yes (with translations if needed) |
Japanese packs have noticeably better quality control. If you’re planning to grade cards or you’re a perfectionist about centering and print lines, Japanese is the way forward despite costing a bit more.
English packs have broader appeal for resale and gift-giving. Most UK collectors prefer English for binder completion, and the nostalgia factor is stronger when you can read the cards without reference.
There’s no wrong answer here — it’s about what matters most to you as a collector or player.
Budget-Friendly Ways to Collect This Set
Not everyone can drop £100+ on booster boxes or chase the £200 Charizard. Here’s how to engage with Destined Rivals sensibly without breaking the bank.
Target the mid-tier ex cards. Regular ex versions of the rivalry pairs (non-illustration rares) sit around £5-12 each. They feature great artwork, they’re playable, and they scratch the collecting itch without requiring a second mortgage.
Complete the reverse holos. The reverse holo treatment in this set is particularly nice, with a subtle rivalry-themed pattern in the foiling. A complete reverse set is achievable and genuinely satisfying without costing hundreds.
Buy singles strategically. Once the initial release hype dies down (usually 2-3 months), singles prices drop noticeably. Track the cards you want on TCGPlayer or similar sites and buy during market dips.
Focus on one rivalry pairing. Rather than chasing everything, pick your favourite matchup and collect all versions of those specific cards. It’s more focused, more affordable, and creates a cohesive mini-collection.
Investment Potential: Real Talk
People always ask whether modern sets hold value. The honest answer for Destined Rivals is: probably, but selectively.
The Charizard/Blastoise SIR has genuine long-term potential. It hits every checkbox — iconic Pokémon, exceptional artwork, nostalgia appeal, and relative scarcity. Sealed product from this set may also appreciate over 5-10 years, particularly Japanese booster boxes which typically age better.
However, most cards from this set will follow the standard modern trajectory: initial hype, sharp price drop after 3-6 months, then slow stabilisation. The mid-range cards you’re pulling now for £10-20 probably won’t be worth dramatically more in five years unless graded at PSA 10.
If you’re buying for investment rather than enjoyment, focus on:
- Special Illustration Rares in the highest possible grade
- Sealed booster boxes stored properly
- Japanese exclusive promotional variants
Everything else? Buy it because you love it, not because you expect returns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most expensive Destined Rivals card?How many packs should I buy to pull a Special Illustration Rare?Are Destined Rivals cards tournament legal?Should I buy English or Japanese Destined Rivals packs?
Final Thoughts
Destined Rivals succeeds where many modern sets stumble — it delivers a focused theme with genuinely impressive artwork whilst maintaining competitive relevance. The destined rivals pokemon cards worth chasing are legitimately special, not just artificially scarce.
Whether you’re cracking packs for the thrill, building competitive decks, or collecting specific rivalry pairs, this set offers something worthwhile. The pull rates aren’t generous, but when you do hit something good, it feels properly exciting rather than just another forgettable ultra rare.
For UK collectors, now is actually a decent time to engage with this set. Prices have settled from the release spike but haven’t yet reached the “forgotten modern set” bottom. Singles are accessible, sealed product is readily available, and the chase cards still generate genuine excitement.
If you’re ready to chase those rivalry cards yourself, browse our selection of Scarlet & Violet booster packs — we stock English, Japanese, and Korean versions with fast UK delivery and guaranteed authenticity.