Destined Rivals ETB and Build and Battle boxes are out now; A Pocket player’s perspective

by

  • Current packs include Trainer’s Pokemon which add new opportunities for supporters to speed up the action
  • Build and Battle boxes add a fast, 40-card deck playstyle reminiscent of Pocket
  • Clever extras and prefab decks make getting plying easier than ever

Similar to many members of the Pocket Gamer team, I’ve been thoroughly captivated by the Pocket Trading Card Game (PTCGP), yet it’s not just its novelty that hooks me. The nearly 30-year old IP and merchandise behind it are equally compelling. This fascination led me to acquire the Scarlet & Violet – Destined Rivals ETB and Build and Battle boxes, aiming to gauge the simplicity of re-entering the world of physical Pokemon TCG for a PTCGP player.

Being a long-time enthusiast of trading card games like Pokemon TCG Pocket and Magic The Gathering, I’ve got a bit of experience under my belt. In the distant past, when the new millennium was still young, I did give Pokemon Trading Card Game a try in the UK. My friend and I were among the first to queue outside our local game store for it, but despite our initial interest, we couldn’t sustain the hobby due to our age and lack of personal funds. Consequently, my knowledge of the rules and gameplay has become somewhat fuzzy over time.

As someone eagerly looking forward to delving into the world of Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), let me share some exhilarating news! The game bears a striking resemblance to the classic Pocket version you might be familiar with, making the transition smoother for newcomers. Moreover, there are now various play formats available, expanding the ways you can engage and enjoy this captivating card game experience!

In the fundamental version of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), you construct a deck consisting of sixty cards, featuring a combination of energy, item, supporter, and Pokémon cards. Instead of Pocket’s automatic one energy card per turn, you will use energy cards here. You start with a seven-card hand, but before that, the top six cards from your deck are set aside as your Prize Cards. The game is won by collecting all of your Prize Cards. With each Pokémon you conquer, you gain one Prize Card. If you defeat an EX-Pokémon, however, you get two Prize Cards instead.

  • If you are playing Pokemon TCG Pocket and need more Hourglasses for pack opens, here’s a guide on the best way to get more.

In a manner similar to Pocket, Pokemon abilities come with their unique guidelines. Moves consume energy and items, while supporter cards can be played in any sequence you choose, though just one can be used per turn. Engaging in an attack concludes your turn, so remember to position your energy (which can only be placed once per turn) before initiating that action. Keep in mind that using up all your energy will trigger the end of your turn.

So, what’s the ‘Destined Rivals ETB Pack’?

Over more than two decades, the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) has experienced numerous shifts in gameplay styles and card mechanics, which generally mirror the main series games. Similarly, the method of selling the cards has also gone through significant changes over time.

The newest items available are called Elite Trainer Boxes, often referred to as ETB packs. These premium starter sets include not only an impressive package design but also play tokens and dice. Inside, you’ll find booster packs along with a collection of energy cards to ensure you have the necessary cards for gameplay without having to rely on luck in the boosters since they typically contain only one energy card each.

For the Destined Rivals ETB Pack, it centers around Team Rocket and carries on the recent pattern of “Trainer’s Pokemon,” or creatures named after their trainers. These trainers, represented as supporter cards, frequently possess abilities to sift through the deck, putting their Pokemon at the forefront. This design encourages players to build themed decks, but also introduces a fresh aspect (not the traditional game meta) when playing with friends, as these supporter-and-trainer Pokémon combinations can quickly reveal details about the rest of a player’s deck.

The other format: Build and Battle Boxes

Although the traditional Trading Card Game (TCG), featuring six victory points and sixty cards, retains a similar feel to the Pokémon TCG Pocket version, you can more closely experience the latest digital trend by adopting the play style offered in Build and Battle Boxes.

This Build and Battle Box comprises a set of forty cards, including a special foil card, along with some additional booster packs. Notably, what I’d like to emphasize is that it also offers guidelines for engaging in a 40-card combat game.

In contrast to the standard version, this game variant features fewer prize cards (four), making it quicker and more concise. The Destined Rivals Build and Battle Boxes are designed with balance in mind for this shorter format. Notably, most Pokemon in these sets need only one or two energy cards to be activated, and the decks I used (Gyarados and Mimikyu) were particularly abundant in mischievous Weezings. These Weezings inflict damage proportional to the number of Koffins and Weezings currently in play, leading to a rapid distribution of prizes.

In addition, the Mimikyu collection, frequently centered around Ethan, encompassed the (highly pertinent in the Pocket game meta) Rare Candy card. This card is likely to stir up some trouble among players as they craft their decks, aiming for a total of 60 cards in the standard version of gameplay.

Is now the time to try it out, then?

Just like with many pastimes, there’s usually not much reason to hold back and join in. In fact, based on my friends who have been playing the Pokemon Trading Card Game for some time, they generally feel that right now is an excellent moment to jump on board.

In my opinion, the Build & Battle packs seem ideal for beginners who want to quickly grasp Magic: The Gathering’s gameplay and have a playable deck as a foundation. This is because they remind me of the Pokemon TCG Pocket format I tried while testing these new offerings; it provides a similar learning experience.

Read More

2025-05-17 09:48