The Pokémon Trading Card Game's latest expansion, Scarlet & Violet — Journey Together, set to launch on March 28, 2025, is bringing back the beloved Trainer's Pokémon mechanic, last seen in 2004 with sets like EX Team Magma vs. Team Aqua. This nostalgic feature is making a grand return, focusing on four iconic Trainers: N, Iono, Lillie, and Hop, each accompanied by their unique Pokémon ex cards that highlight their special bonds with their teams.

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This set boasts over 180 cards, including 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 making a comeback, with Enhanced Booster Display Boxes featuring a stamped N’s Reshiram Illustration Rare.

My Journey Together Product Openings

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.

Journey Together Standard Booster Box

Opening a Booster Box is an exhilarating experience, packed with 36 packs that guarantee excitement with every pull. My standout cards included N’s Reshiram Illustration Rare, Iono’s Bellibolt ex Secret Rare, and a Hyper Rare Spiky Energy. While I didn't find Hop’s Zacian ex or Lillie’s Clefairy ex Special Art Rare, the variety and quantity of cards made the experience immensely satisfying. If you're looking for a comprehensive collection experience, a Booster Box is the way to go.

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.

Journey Together Elite Trainer Box

The Elite Trainer Box offers a premium feel with its N’s Zorua promo and practical storage solutions. It comes with nine booster packs, and my pulls included Iono’s Kilowattrel Illustration Rare, Articuno Illustration Rare, and Veluza ex. While it doesn't offer as many hits as a Booster Box, the structured and all-in-one nature of the ETB makes it a great choice for both collectors and players.

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Journey Together Build & Battle Box

The Build & Battle Box provides an immediate play experience with its prebuilt 40-card deck. My promo was Hop’s Snorlax, a valuable card for boosting damage in Hop-themed decks. The four packs yielded Mamoswine ex and Swinub Illustration Rare, perfectly complementing the deck's theme. This box is ideal for those eager to dive into gameplay with the new set.

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Our Pokémon TCG: Journey Together Pulls

Across 49 booster packs, I pulled 18 rare cards, each with unique abilities and potential for deck-building. Here are some highlights:

Hop’s Snorlax (Promo 184)

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A robust Basic Pokémon with 150 HP that enhances all of Hop’s Pokémon attacks by 30 extra damage. Its Dynamic Press hits hard, though the 80 recoil damage is a notable drawback.

N’s Zorua (Promo 189)

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A cute but modest card that sets the stage for evolving into Zoroark ex, with 70 HP and a 20-damage Scratch attack.

Spiky Energy Hyper Rare (190/159)

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A versatile card that deals 20 damage when the attached Pokémon is hit, while also providing Colorless Energy, making it a must-have for many decks.

Iono’s Bellibolt ex-Secret Rare (172/159)

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A powerful Lightning-type with 280 HP and the Electric Streamer ability, which accelerates Lightning Energy, making it a key component for Lightning decks.

Iris’s Fighting Spirit Full Art (180/159)

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A strategic Supporter card that allows you to discard one card and draw until you have six, perfect for refreshing your hand in various deck types.

Iono’s Kilowattrel Illustration Rare (163/159)

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A Lightning-type that refills your hand with its Flashing Draw ability, requiring the discard of a Lightning Energy, and offers a modest 70 damage with Mach Bolt.

N’s Reshiram Illustration Rare (167/159)

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A Dragon-type with 130 HP that scales its damage with Powerful Rage, offering high-risk, high-reward gameplay with Virtuous Flame's 170 damage.

Articuno Illustration Rare (161/159)

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A Water-type that accelerates two Basic Water Energy with Frigid Fluttering, making it a great starter for Water decks with its 110-damage Ice Blast.

Swinub Illustration Rare (165/159)

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An early-game utility card that searches for two Basic Pokémon with Call for Family, despite its low 10-damage Lunge Out attack.

Salamence ex Secret Rare (177/159)

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A formidable Dragon-type with 320 HP, capable of spreading damage with Wide Blast and delivering a massive 300 damage with Dragon Impact.

Hop’s Zacian ex (111/159)

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A Steel-type with a powerful 240-damage Brave Slash, though it can't be used consecutively, requiring strategic switching.

Alcremie ex (075/159)

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A Psychic-type that heals 30 damage each turn with Confectionary Gift, making it a strong sustain option in control decks.

Mimikyu ex (069/159)

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A tricky Pokémon that spreads damage with Mischievous Hands and disrupts with Ghostly Trip, dealing 120 damage and causing Confusion.

Veluza ex (043/159)

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A high-risk, high-reward Water-type that can hit for 240 damage with Purging Strike, requiring you to discard your entire hand.

Lillie’s Clefairy ex (056/159)

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A Psychic-type that weakens Dragon Pokémon with Fairy Zone and scales its damage with Full Moon Rondo based on Bench size.

Volcanion ex (031/159)

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A Fire-type that burns the opponent’s Active Pokémon with Scalding Steam and deals 160 damage with Scorching Cyclone, while moving Energy to a Benched Pokémon.

Mamoswine ex (079/159)

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A tank with 340 HP that searches for any Pokémon with Mammoth Hauler and scales its damage with Rumbling March based on Stage 2 Pokémon on the Bench.

Salamence ex (114/159)

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Another powerful Salamence ex with the same devastating capabilities, offering both spread damage and a massive 300-damage hit.

Should You Buy Pokémon TCG: Journey Together?

Scarlet & Violet — Journey Together is poised to be one of the most thrilling expansions in recent years. The return of Trainer's Pokémon adds a nostalgic and personal touch to battles, appealing to collectors, competitive players, and nostalgia seekers alike. With its release date approaching, now is the perfect time to decide which products and cards you want to pursue. Whether you're after N’s Reshiram, Iono’s Bellibolt ex, or the elusive Hyper Rare Spiky Energy, this set promises a wealth of exciting pulls.