Preview: Pokémon TCG Journey Together - A Return to Form for Fans of Trainer's Pokémon

The Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet — Journey Together set, set to release on March 28, 2025, marks an exciting revival of a beloved mechanic unseen since 2004. This set brings back Trainer's Pokémon, reminiscent of the classics from EX Team Magma vs. Team Aqua, and I am thrilled to dive into this nostalgic journey.

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This set focuses on four iconic Trainers: N, Iono, Lillie, and Hop, each with their own Pokémon ex cards that highlight the strong bonds they share with their teams. If you've ever dreamed of building a deck featuring N’s Zoroark ex, Lillie’s Clefairy ex, or Iono’s Bellibolt ex, your dreams are about to come true.

Check out the full Pokémon TCG Release Schedule for 2025

My Journey Together Product Openings

With over 180 cards, the set offers plenty to chase. It includes more than 40 Trainer's Pokémon, 16 Pokémon ex, 11 Illustration Rares, six Special Illustration Rares, and three Hyper Rare gold cards. Box Toppers make a return, with Enhanced Booster Display Boxes featuring a stamped N’s Reshiram Illustration Rare.

Journey Together Standard Booster Box

Opening a Booster Box is a thrilling experience. With 36 packs, the excitement builds with each pull. My highlights 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.

The card I most wanted, Hop’s Zacian ex, didn't appear, nor did Lillie’s Clefairy ex Special Art Rare. But that's the nature of Booster Boxes—nothing is guaranteed. Despite this, the experience was incredibly rewarding. If you enjoy opening packs or want a substantial boost to your collection, a Booster Box is the way to go. 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 feel. The N’s Zorua promo immediately caught my eye, and the box itself is perfect for card storage. The included sleeves, dice, and condition markers are essential for players, and with nine booster packs, there’s still plenty of opportunity for exciting pulls.

With only nine packs, I didn't expect too much, but I was pleasantly surprised with Iono’s Kilowattrel Illustration Rare, Articuno Illustration Rare, and a Veluza ex. These fun cards made the opening feel completely worthwhile. While ETBs don't offer the same volume of hits as a Booster Box, they provide a structured, all-in-one experience that’s perfect for those who want both pack-opening fun and collectible extras. Check out the full list of rare cards from our preview further down; we ended up with some gems.

Journey Together Build & Battle Box

Build & Battle Boxes offer a unique experience. The main attraction is the prebuilt 40-card deck, allowing you to start playing immediately. I pulled Hop’s Snorlax as my promo, which is a fantastic card. Its ability boosts all of Hop’s Pokémon by 30 damage, making it essential for decks featuring his lineup.

The four packs didn't disappoint, yielding Mamoswine ex and Swinub Illustration Rare, both fitting perfectly with my deck's theme. Although you won't get as many rare pulls as with a Booster Box, this is the best option for quickly starting to play with the new set. With four different promo cards available, I'm already planning to pick up 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 from all our openings.

Our Pokémon TCG: Journey Together Pulls

I opened 49 booster packs across all our products and pulled 18 rare cards. Some were exactly what I hoped for, while others were delightful surprises. Trainers will find themselves pulling more rare cards than in Prismatic Evolutions. Here’s what I pulled:

Hop’s Snorlax (Promo 184)

A robust Basic Pokémon with 150 HP that boosts all of Hop’s Pokémon attacks by 30 extra damage. This card is a must-have for any Trainer-themed deck. While Dynamic Press hits hard, the 80 recoil damage is significant. Still, its ability makes it a valuable addition to any Hop-based strategy.

N’s Zorua (Promo 189)

A cute but unremarkable card, meant to evolve into something greater. With 70 HP and 20 damage from Scratch, it won't turn heads on its own, but if Zoroark ex is strong in this set, Zorua will have its moment.

Spiky Energy Hyper Rare (190/159)

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 total win.

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

A 280 HP Lightning-type powerhouse with Energy acceleration. Its Electric Streamer ability allows unlimited Lightning Energy attachment to Iono’s Pokémon, making it a key engine for Lightning decks. Thunderous Bolt’s 230 damage is impressive, despite skipping a turn. This card is sure to see competitive play.

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

A risk-reward draw Supporter that lets you discard one card and draw until you have six. Ideal for decks that benefit from discarding Energy or Pokémon, and its full art design adds to its appeal.

Iono’s Kilowattrel Illustration Rare (163/159)

A Lightning-type support Pokémon that refills your hand with its Flashing Draw ability, albeit requiring the discard of a Lightning Energy. Mach Bolt’s 70 damage is average, but this bird excels in providing hand advantage.

N’s Reshiram Illustration Rare (167/159)

A 130 HP Dragon-type that grows more dangerous with each hit it takes. Powerful Rage can accumulate serious damage, while Virtuous Flame’s 170 damage is solid but Energy-intensive. Perfect for high-risk, high-reward strategies.

Articuno Illustration Rare (161/159)

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 starter for Water decks.

Swinub Illustration Rare (165/159)

This adorable card is incredibly useful early-game. Call for Family lets you search your deck for two Basic Pokémon, crucial for setup. Lunge Out’s 10 damage is negligible, but Swinub is all about setup, not attacking.

Salamence ex Secret Rare (177/159)

A 320 HP Dragon-type beast that excels at spreading damage and delivering massive hits. Wide Blast deals 50 damage to every Benched Pokémon, and Dragon Impact slams for 300 damage, albeit requiring the discard of two Energy. A formidable card.

Hop’s Zacian ex (111/159)

A Steel-type legendary with a powerful 240-damage attack. Brave Slash can’t be used twice in a row, requiring a switching strategy. Insta-Strike provides some spread damage, but Zacian is designed for one-hit knockouts.

Alcremie ex (075/159)

A Psychic-type support Pokémon that heals 30 damage every turn thanks to its Confectionary Gift ability. Whipped Shot’s 160 damage is solid, but this card shines as a sustain option in control decks.

Mimikyu ex (069/159)

A tricky Pokémon that spreads damage effectively. Mischievous Hands places three damage counters on two of your opponent’s Pokémon, setting up future knockouts. Ghostly Trip deals 120 damage and Confuses the Active Pokémon, disrupting their plays.

Veluza ex (043/159)

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 minimal. This card is all about going all-in.

Lillie’s Clefairy ex (056/159)

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)

A Fire-type bruiser that burns the opponent’s Active Pokémon with its Scalding Steam ability. Scorching Cyclone’s 160 damage is great, and moving an Energy to a Benched Pokémon enhances its utility.

Mamoswine ex (079/159)

A 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 a terror in evolution-heavy decks.

Salamence ex (114/159)

The second Salamence ex I pulled, and I'm not complaining. It boasts the same brutal power with Wide Blast for spreading damage and Dragon Impact for a massive 300 damage hit. Ideal for players who love big, hard-hitting Pokémon.

Should You Buy Pokémon TCG: Journey Together?

Journey Together is shaping up to be one of the most exciting Pokémon TCG expansions in years. The return of Trainer’s Pokémon, a nostalgic feature absent for years, adds a personal touch to battles. Whether you're collecting for stunning artwork, competitive value, or nostalgia, this set offers 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

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With its release date of March 28 just around the corner, now's the 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.