Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals - Top 10 Most Expensive Cards

Destined Rivals is finally out! This new set features "Trainer's Partners", just like the previous set, Journey Together, and was released on May 30th, 2025. Now that some time has passed, we can finally review how much the new cards cost, and see what are the most expensive cards in the set!

To build this ranking, we estimated how much the new cards cost in American dollars, but please note that, like any market, prices may vary.

10 - Misty's Psyduck (Illustration Rare - 193/182)

This Psyduck was illustrated by OKACHEKE, who has created around 67 artworks for the physical TCG. They're notorious for their style, particularly for using pastel shades to shape and light each character.

This artist began working for the Pokémon Company with a Slowpoke artwork they made for a Grand Prix. Thereafter, they were brought in to work on three animated works for the franchise: "Twilight Wings", "Detective Pikachu & the Mystery of the Missing Flan", and "The Adventures of Snorlax & Cubone".

Price: US$50.

9 - Team Rocket's Giovanni (Secret Illustration Rare - 238/182)

The iconic boss of the biggest criminal organization in the world of Pokémon has been featured in many sets since X/Y. This card in particular will be a great addition for any collector or fan.

Krgc, the artist behind this illustration, depicted not only Giovanni, but also his four main colleagues in vivid colors, one of their signature styles.

One of their most iconic artworks is Infernape TWM 173, from Scarlet & Violet: Twilight Masquerade, which is a great example of his technical style.

This card, in particular, is similar to the old Guzma BUS 115, from the Sun & Moon era, but it is themed after Team Rocket Pokémon. With it, you'll be able to catch your opponents off-guard, as it swaps their active Pokémon with one of their benched Pokémon.

Price: US$60.

8 - Team Rocket's Ariana (Secret Illustration Rare - 237/182)

This card was illustrated by Yoshioka. It is their 5th work for Pokémon TCG. They started working for the company in Scarlet & Violet: Obsidian Flames, namely Ninetales sv3 29.

This card will be very useful for the "Team Rocket" archetype when it comes to card draw. It is a must for decks centered around Team Rocket Pokémon.

Ariana, in particular, is one of Giovanni's closest colleagues. She was already featured in the classic Game Boy Color games, but she only "got" a name in the Heart Gold & Soul Silver generation, when Ken Sugimori redesigned many characters. Back then, many classic characters got new designs and details.

Price: US$72.

7 - Ethan's Adventure (Secret Illustration Rare - 236/182)

This card was illustrated by Kariya, who has just begun working for the Pokémon Company as an artist.

Its effect is essential for Ethan's archetype, particularly with Ethan's Typhlosion DRI 34, because of its first attack. It deals damage according to how many cards are in your discard pile, so it can deal up to 280 damage for just one Fire energy!

Price: US$96.

6 - Team Rocket's Crobat ex (Secret Illustration Rare - 234/182)

This card was illustrated by cochi8i, and this is their 4th work for the Pokémon Company (out of the 7 cards they already created). They were hired very recently, during the Scarlet & Violet: Twilight Masquerade era, but they have already been put in charge of Vanillite's entire evolution line in the next special set, Black Bolt & White Flare.

In particular, this Crobat is relevant because of its ability: if you evolved it from your hand into a Team Rocket Golbat, you may pick two enemy Pokémon and put 2 damage counters on each one of them. This strategy is known as "spread".

Price: US$98.99.

5 - Team Rocket's Nidoking ex (Secret Illustration Rare - 233/182)

This card was illustrated by Uninori, a rising star who has created a total of 14 cards so far.

Nidoking's first attack is what makes it relevant: it lets you deal even more damage to Poisoned Pokémon with damage counters, as you'll be able to put 8 damage counters on them in-between turns instead of just 1.

It is essential in strategies with Team Rocket's Nidoqueen DRI 116 because these two Pokémon complement each other really well.

Price: US$135.

4 - Team Rocket's Moltres ex (Secret Illustration Rare - 229/182)

This card was illustrated by the admirable Akira Egawa, one of the best Pokémon Company artists of this decade. She was considered by many a "spiritual successor" to Mitsuhiro Arita because of her art style, as it combines all the whimsy of the Pokémon world with realistic brushstrokes.

Moltres ex's attack, Evil Incineration, forces your opponent to discard their active Pokémon, and that's what makes it so strong. This mechanic will be great in "control" strategies and very welcome in Fire Box decks, which will most likely play the new Emboar from Black Bolt & White Flare, the next special set, when it comes out.

Price: US$154.99.

3 - Ethan's Ho-Oh ex (Secret Illustration Rare - 230/182)

This card was illustrated by Atsushi Furusawa, who is considered a prodigy at the Pokémon Company. They became notorious after competing at the Pokémon Art Grand Prix, and eventually were hired to create official artworks.

Their most famous work is Dragonite V EVS 192, from Sword & Shield: Evolving Skies.

This Ho-Oh will be the main energy engine in Ethan decks because of its ability, which lets you attach 2 Basic Fire Energy sv3 230 from your hand to your benched Ethan's Pokémon.

Price: US$176.

2 - Cynthia's Garchomp ex (Secret Illustration Rare - 232/182)

This card shows all the glory and dignity of the Sinnoh champion, Cynthia, who is depicted in the middle of a duel with her signature Pokémon. HICO KIM, a new artist just hired by the Pokémon Company, has created this artwork.

Their portfolio is quite interesting. In the past, they worked for Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves.

Garchomp ex, in particular, is one of the most promising Pokémon from this set. If you'd like to see more about it in a build with Mega Lucario ex, click here!

Price: US$399.90.

1 - Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex (Secret Illustration Rare - 231/182)

Our most expensive card is perfect for you if you're a Giovanni fan, or a Mewtwo fan (thanks to the anime)!

It was illustrated by Iwamoto05. It is their 3rd work for the Pokémon Company, and they've already been given the responsibility of depicting one of the most nostalgic legendary Pokémon in the entire franchise.

The reason it is so expensive is that it is popular among collectors and should become even more expensive as time goes on. Competitively speaking, it is not the best.

Price: US$524.99.

What do you think of these cards? Tell us your thoughts in our comment section below.

Thank you for reading, and see you next time!