The new Pokémon TCG expansion, Destined Rivals, has been officially revealed and pre-orders have begun. However, longtime collectors know this launch has been particularly chaotic, with reports of scalping incidents and retailer issues plaguing the highly anticipated set.

Announced on March 24, Scarlet & Violet - Destined Rivals is scheduled for release starting May 30, 2025. Several factors make this collection particularly desirable. Most notably, it brings back the beloved Trainer's Pokémon cards - a nostalgic throwback familiar to those who remember classic cards like Brock's Sandslash or Rocket's Mewtwo.

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Destined Rivals Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box Images

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This revival of Trainer's Pokémon provides an exciting way to connect iconic characters with their signature monsters. Moreover, Destined Rivals prominently features Team Rocket, the classic villainous organization from Pokémon's first generation. Following the success of recent sets like Prismatic Evolutions with its Eevee-lutions, Destined Rivals shows all the signs of becoming another fan-favorite collection.

When pre-orders launched, frustration quickly mounted as collectors found themselves locked out of the Pokémon Center website while attempting to secure the coveted Elite Trainer Boxes - premium collections containing booster packs and accessories that serve as popular entry points to new sets.

Predictably, scalpers immediately flooded auction sites like eBay with inflated listings for ETBs. Boxes with a retail price of $54.99 were being resold for hundreds of dollars. Serebii's Joe Merrick perfectly captured the community's disappointment, describing his own hours-long wait in virtual queues just to purchase a Destined Rivals ETB.

"This situation truly frustrates me," Merrick expressed. "The shift from collecting enjoyment to pure financial speculation disgusts me. Those exploiting the system should feel ashamed."

Unfortunately, this scenario has become commonplace. Previous sets like Prismatic Evolutions and Blooming Waters 151 faced similar shortages. While The Pokémon Company has confirmed (via PokéBeach) that additional inventory will become available later this year, the current situation remains problematic.

Compounding the issue, some customers report having their ETB orders canceled unexpectedly. While the Pokémon TCG's popularity continues to soar, these distribution challenges are making it increasingly difficult for genuine enthusiasts to participate.

While digital alternatives like Pokémon TCG Pocket offer some relief from physical product scarcity, they don't fully satisfy collectors who enjoy the tangible aspects of the hobby. A simple visit to any local game store's trading card section will confirm how challenging it's become to obtain Pokémon TCG products at reasonable prices. With so many exciting new releases, the community hopes for effective solutions to emerge soon.