The Pokémon Trading Card Game: Scarlet & Violet — Journey Together expansion is set to release on March 28, 2025, and it's bringing back a nostalgic mechanic that hasn't been seen since 2004: Trainer's Pokémon. This exciting set revives the spirit of classics like EX Team Magma vs. Team Aqua, and I'm thrilled to give you a sneak peek into what it offers.
### 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 BuySee it at GameStop
### Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Elite Trainer Box
9See it at GameStop
### Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Three Booster Blister
3$14.99 save 5%$14.24 at GameStop
Journey Together highlights four iconic Trainers: N, Iono, Lillie, and Hop, each with Pokémon ex cards that underscore the strong bonds they share with their teams. Whether you're aiming to build a deck around N's Zoroark ex, Lillie's Clefairy ex, or Iono's Bellibolt ex, this set offers a fantastic opportunity to do so.
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, Journey Together has a lot to offer. The set includes more than 40 Trainer's Pokémon, 16 Pokémon ex, 11 Illustration Rares, six Special Illustration Rares, and three Hyper Rare gold cards. Additionally, Box Toppers are back, featuring Enhanced Booster Display Boxes with a stamped N’s Reshiram Illustration Rare.
Journey Together Standard Booster Box
Opening a Booster Box is an exhilarating experience. With 36 packs, every pull feels thrilling. My standout moments included N’s Reshiram Illustration Rare, Iono’s Bellibolt ex Secret Rare, and a Hyper Rare Spiky Energy. Even beyond the big hits, I pulled numerous solid ex cards perfect for my decks.
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
Unfortunately, I didn't pull Hop's Zacian ex or Lillie's Clefairy ex Special Art Rare, but that's the nature of Booster Boxes—you get many chances, but nothing is guaranteed. This was still the best way to experience the set. If you enjoy opening packs or want a substantial addition to your collection, a Booster Box is always a great choice. Check out all the rare pulls further down; this box was definitely worth it for me.
Journey Together Elite Trainer Box
Elite Trainer Boxes offer a premium experience compared to loose packs. The N's Zorua promo card caught my attention immediately, and the box itself is ideal for card storage. The included sleeves, dice, and condition markers are perfect 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 just nine packs, I didn't expect much, but I managed to pull Iono's Kilowattrel Illustration Rare, Articuno Illustration Rare, and a Veluza ex. These fun cards made the opening worthwhile. While Elite Trainer Boxes don't offer as many hits as a Booster Box, the structured, all-in-one product is appealing. If you want a mix of pack-opening fun and collectible extras, this is a great way to experience Journey Together. Check out the full list of rare cards from our preview further down; we ended up with some real gems.
Journey Together Build & Battle Box
Build & Battle Boxes provide a unique experience compared to Booster Boxes or Elite Trainer Boxes. The main attraction is the prebuilt 40-card deck, which allows you to start playing immediately. I pulled Hop's Snorlax as my promo, a valuable card that boosts all of Hop's Pokémon attacks by 30 damage, making it essential for any Hop-themed deck.
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
The four packs delivered Mamoswine ex and Swinub Illustration Rare, perfectly aligning with my deck's theme. Although you won't get as many rare pulls as with a Booster Box, Build & Battle Boxes are the fastest way to start playing with the new set. With four different promo cards available, I'm tempted to buy 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 across all our openings.
Our Pokémon TCG: Journey Together Pulls
I opened 49 booster packs across all products and pulled 18 rare cards. Some were exactly what I hoped for, while others were delightful surprises. Trainers will definitely pull more rare cards than with Prismatic Evolutions. Here’s what I pulled:
Hop’s Snorlax (Promo 184)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A bulky Basic Pokémon with 150 HP that boosts all of Hop’s Pokémon attacks by 30 extra damage. This card is essential for any Trainer-themed deck. While Dynamic Press hits hard, the 80 recoil damage is a drawback. Still, the ability alone makes it a valuable addition to any Hop-based strategy.
N’s Zorua (Promo 189)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A cute but unremarkable card that exists to evolve into something better. With 70 HP and 20 damage from Scratch, it won't turn heads on its own. However, if Zoroark ex is strong in this set, Zorua will shine.
Spiky Energy Hyper Rare (190/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
An instant staple in my decks. It deals 20 damage every time the Pokémon it’s attached to gets hit, making it both offensive and defensive. Plus, it provides Colorless Energy. A definite win.
Iono’s Bellibolt ex-Secret Rare (172/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A 280 HP Lightning-type beast with unparalleled Energy acceleration. Its Electric Streamer ability lets you attach unlimited Lightning Energy to Iono’s Pokémon, making it an engine for Lightning decks. Thunderous Bolt’s 230 damage is impressive, though it does mean skipping a turn. This card will see plenty of play.
Iris’s Fighting Spirit Full Art (180/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A risk-reward draw Supporter that lets you discard one card and draw until you have six. This is excellent for refreshing your hand, especially in decks that benefit from discarding Energy or Pokémon. The full art design adds to its allure.
Iono’s Kilowattrel Illustration Rare (163/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A Lightning-type support Pokémon that refills your hand with its Flashing Draw ability, albeit at the cost of discarding a Lightning Energy. Mach Bolt’s 70 damage is average, but this bird is all about hand advantage.
N’s Reshiram Illustration Rare (167/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A 130 HP Dragon-type that becomes more dangerous as it takes damage. Powerful Rage can rack up serious numbers, while Virtuous Flame’s 170 damage is solid but Energy-intensive. Ideal for high-risk, high-reward plays.
Articuno Illustration Rare (161/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A Water-type setup Pokémon that accelerates two Basic Water Energy onto itself with Frigid Fluttering. Ice Blast’s 110 damage is respectable, making it a great starting piece for Water decks.
Swinub Illustration Rare (165/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
This adorable card is useful early-game, with Call for Family allowing you to search your deck for two Basic Pokémon. Lunge Out’s 10 damage is minimal, but Swinub is here for setup, not attacking.
Salamence ex Secret Rare (177/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A 320 HP Dragon-type monster that excels at spreading damage and hitting hard. Wide Blast deals 50 damage to every Benched Pokémon, and Dragon Impact slams for 300 damage at the cost of two Energy. An absolute powerhouse.
Hop’s Zacian ex (111/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A Steel-type legendary with a brutal 240-damage attack. The downside is that Brave Slash can’t be used twice in a row, necessitating a switching strategy. Insta-Strike does minor spread damage, but Zacian is designed for one-hit knockouts.
Alcremie ex (075/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A support-heavy Psychic Pokémon that heals 30 damage every turn with its Confectionary Gift ability. Whipped Shot’s 160 damage is solid, but this card excels as a sustain option in control decks.
Mimikyu ex (069/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A tricky Pokémon that loves spreading damage. Mischievous Hands puts three damage counters on two of your opponent’s Pokémon, setting up knockouts. Ghostly Trip deals 120 damage and Confuses the Active Pokémon, disrupting their plays.
Veluza ex (043/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A Water-type glass cannon that can hit for 240 damage if you discard your entire hand. Purging Strike is high-risk, high-reward, while Razor Fin’s 30 damage is negligible. This card is all about going all-in or nothing.
Lillie’s Clefairy ex (056/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A Psychic-type that 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)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
A Fire-type bruiser that burns the opponent’s Active Pokémon just by being in play with its Scalding Steam ability. Scorching Cyclone’s 160 damage is great, and moving an Energy to a Benched Pokémon makes it even better.
Mamoswine ex (079/159)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
An absolute tank at 340 HP that 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)
IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.
The second Salamence ex I pulled, and I'm not complaining. It boasts the same brutal power as the other, with Wide Blast for spreading damage and Dragon Impact for a massive 300 damage hit. Perfect for fans of big, hard-hitting Pokémon.
Should You Buy Pokémon TCG: Journey Together?
Journey Together promises to be one of the most thrilling Pokémon TCG expansions in recent years. The return of Trainer's Pokémon adds a personal touch to battles that's been missing for a long time. Whether you're a collector drawn to the stunning artwork, a competitive player seeking powerful cards, or someone nostalgic for the old days, this set has 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 BuySee it at GameStop### Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet Journey Together Elite Trainer Box
9See 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 release date just around the corner on March 28, 2025, now is the perfect time to plan which cards you want to chase. Whether it's 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.
