10 Most Expensive Cards in Destined Rivals – Pokémon TCG
- Stew @ PokéPortal
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
As Destined Rivals scorches its way into the Scarlet & Violet TCG lineup, it brings more than just new gameplay mechanics. This set doesn’t just echo the classics – it revives them. With the long-awaited return of Team Rocket and nostalgic nods to Trainers from Johto to Sinnoh, collectors are on high alert. And so are their wallets.
We've tracked down the ten priciest cards in the set right now. From sinister Team Rocket powerhouses to radiant legendaries, here’s your rundown of the 10 Most Expensive Cards in Destined Rivals.
10. Team Rocket’s Meowth – £40.86
Sneaking into the top ten is none other than the perennial pest: Team Rocket’s Meowth. Known more for mischief than menace, this feline’s newest iteration in Destined Rivals adds a comic but collectible flair to the villain lineup.
Rendered in a moody alleyway scene, Meowth looks both cunning and a bit chaotic—true to form. While not the most powerful card, its cheeky artwork, Team Rocket branding, and nostalgic charm drive its value just past the £40 mark. It’s a must-have for fans of the original trio and collectors who love a little personality.
9. Ethan’s Ho-Oh EX – £42.22
Yes, Ethan and Ho-Oh appear more than once in this set—this version is a more modestly priced EX version that still manages to pack a visual punch. The Johto icon soars high, wings flaring against a dawn sky as Ethan stands proudly below.
It’s not quite as lavish as the Special Illustration Rare, but it carries enough narrative weight to land it just over £40. A great option for fans who want a piece of this legendary duo without breaking the bank.
8. Misty’s Psyduck – £48.28
Few cards in Destined Rivals have charmed fans quite like Misty’s Psyduck. The card perfectly captures the love-hate relationship between the Gym Leader and her perpetually confused companion.
With an illustration bursting with classic anime vibes—Psyduck clutching its head in mid-headache and Misty losing her temper behind—it’s no wonder this card is climbing in value. It may not dominate the meta, but it’s one of the most character-rich cards in the entire set.
7. Team Rocket’s Mewtwo – £66.49
This non-Illustration Rare version of Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex still holds immense value due to the Pokémon's iconic status and in-game utility. With a solid 280 HP and an attack that synergizes heavily with other Rocket Pokémon, it's a competitive mainstay and a collector’s gem.
The artwork feels clinical and controlled—Mewtwo locked in, ready to strike. It’s not quite the narrative epic of the Special Art Rare, but as a playable and visually intense card, it holds its own firmly.
6. Team Rocket’s Crobat EX – £79.49
Team Rocket’s Crobat ex isn’t just a nod to the annoying Zubats that plagued us in caves—this card is a full-blown tribute to the aerial assault of Team Rocket.
With Crobat leading a chaotic swarm under a blood moon sky, the scene is packed with action. A Rocket Grunt commands the operation from the rooftops, and Crobat’s piercing eyes practically follow you from the card. For fans of dark-style Pokémon and dramatic composition, this card is a standout.
5. Team Rocket’s Nidoking EX – £104.00
Towering and relentless, Team Rocket’s Nidoking ex earns its spot through sheer brutality. With massive HP and a poison-inducing attack that stacks fast, this is a card built for pressure tactics and mid-game dominance.
Giovanni stands proudly alongside his beast, reinforcing the card’s sinister edge. A must-have for those building Rocket-themed decks—or just anyone obsessed with Team Rocket’s more monstrous mascots.
4. Team Rocket’s Moltres EX – £140.90
The final bird to join its Scarlet & Violet siblings, Team Rocket’s Moltres ex arrives in a blaze of glory. Flames swirl across the card, illuminating Archer’s cold demeanor in the background. This is villainy as visual art.
Though its gameplay role remains to be fully seen, Moltres ex is already commanding high prices based on illustration alone. The aesthetic by AKIRA EGAWA sets it apart from most fire-types in recent years.
3. Ethan’s Ho-Oh EX (Special Illustration Rare) – £159.40
We already met the EX version—but this Special Illustration Rare is on another level entirely. Bursting with color and emotion, this card captures the spiritual bond between Ethan and Ho-Oh as the Trainer gazes upward at the legendary bird mid-flight.
This is the kind of art that tells a story. The palette, the perspective, and the reverence all reflect the best qualities of the modern TCG era. No surprise it's among the most valuable cards right now.
2. Cynthia’s Garchomp EX – £180.16
The fan-favorite Sinnoh Champion makes a thunderous entrance in Cynthia’s Garchomp ex. With both Trainer and Pokémon center-stage in a dramatic stadium battle scene, this card feels like a cinematic climax.
Illustrated by HICO KIM, it’s a masterclass in storytelling through composition.
Garchomp roars in the foreground while Cynthia looms larger-than-life on a jumbotron in the background. A perfect fusion of power, poise, and prestige.
1. Team Rocket’s Mewtwo EX (Special Illustration Rare) – £427.93
The crown jewel of Destined Rivals is, unsurprisingly, Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex in its Special Illustration Rare form. With Giovanni pulling the strings behind him, Mewtwo emanates sheer dominance.
This card is the culmination of the set’s themes: control, rebellion, and the unchecked ambition of Team Rocket. Its staggering HP, lethal attack, and cinematic composition make it the definitive chase for collectors and players alike.
If you pull this, you’ve just hit the jackpot—plain and simple.
Final Thoughts
Destined Rivals is a triumphant mix of throwback storytelling and modern artistry. Whether you’re hunting nostalgia, meta strength, or the most eye-popping illustrations the TCG has seen all year, this set delivers in spades.
Just be warned: your wallet may not survive the journey.
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