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Pokémon TCG Journey Together: A Nostalgic Return for Trainer's Pokémon Fans

by Jason May 06,2025

The Pokémon Trading Card Game's latest expansion, Scarlet & Violet — Journey Together, is set to launch on March 28, 2025, and it's bringing back a beloved feature from the past: Trainer's Pokémon. This exciting set harks back to the nostalgia of classics like EX Team Magma vs. Team Aqua, and I'm thrilled to give you a sneak peek at what's in store.

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3$14.99 save 5%$14.24 at GameStopThis set spotlights four iconic Trainers: N, Iono, Lillie, and Hop, each with their unique Pokémon ex, showcasing the deep bonds they share with their teams. If you're eager to build a deck featuring N's Zoroark ex, Lillie's Clefairy ex, or Iono's Bellibolt ex, now's your chance to dive in.

Check out the full Pokémon TCG Release Schedule for 2025

My Journey Together Product Openings

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.With over 180 cards, there's plenty to chase. The set includes 40+ Trainer's Pokémon, 16 Pokémon ex, 11 Illustration Rares, six Special Illustration Rares, and three Hyper Rare gold cards. Box Toppers are also making 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 an exhilarating experience. With 36 packs, each pull is thrilling. My highlights included N's Reshiram Illustration Rare, Iono's Bellibolt ex Secret Rare, and the Hyper Rare Spiky Energy. Even without the big hits, I pulled several solid ex cards that I'm eager to add to my decks.

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.Unfortunately, Hop's Zacian ex and Lillie's Clefairy ex Special Art Rare eluded me. That's the nature of Booster Boxes—plenty of chances, but no guarantees. Nevertheless, this was the best way to explore the set. If you enjoy opening packs or want to boost your collection significantly, a Booster Box is a fantastic choice. 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 experience. The N's Zorua promo immediately grabbed my attention, and the box itself is ideal for card storage. The included sleeves, dice, and condition markers are perfect for players, and with nine booster packs, there's still potential for great pulls.

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.With only nine packs, I didn't expect too many rare cards, but I was pleasantly surprised with Iono's Kilowattrel Illustration Rare, Articuno Illustration Rare, and Veluza ex. These fun cards made the opening worthwhile. While Elite Trainer Boxes don't offer the sheer number of hits that a Booster Box does, the structured, all-in-one product is a great way to experience Journey Together. Check out the full list of rare cards from our preview further down; we ended up with some serious gems.

Journey Together Build & Battle Box

Build & Battle Boxes offer a unique experience, different from Booster Boxes or Elite Trainer Boxes. The prebuilt 40-card deck allows you to start playing immediately. I pulled Hop's Snorlax as my promo, a fantastic card that boosts all of Hop's Pokémon by 30 damage, making it a must-have for any deck featuring his lineup.

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.The four packs didn't disappoint; I pulled Mamoswine ex and Swinub Illustration Rare, perfectly matching my deck's theme. While you won't get as many rare pulls as with a Booster Box, Build & Battle Boxes are the best option if you want to start playing quickly with the new set. With four different promo cards available, I'm tempted to buy another box to see which one I get next. Check out my Journey Together preview pulls below to see some of the best cards we got from across 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 can expect to pull more rare cards than with Prismatic Evolutions. Here's what I pulled:

Hop's Snorlax (Promo 184)

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.A bulky Basic Pokémon with 150 HP that boosts all of Hop's Pokémon attacks by 30 extra damage. This card is essential for any Trainer-themed deck, and despite the 80 recoil damage from Dynamic Press, its ability makes it a valuable addition to any Hop-based strategy.

N's Zorua (Promo 189)

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.A charming but unremarkable card designed to evolve into something more powerful. With 70 HP and 20 damage from Scratch, it won't stand out on its own, but if Zoroark ex proves strong, Zorua will have its moment.

Spiky Energy Hyper Rare (190/159)

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.An instant staple for my decks. It deals 20 damage every time the Pokémon it's attached to is hit, offering both offensive and defensive capabilities, and provides Colorless Energy. A definite win.

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

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.A 280 HP Lightning-type powerhouse with Energy acceleration capabilities. Its Electric Streamer ability lets you attach unlimited Lightning Energy to Iono's Pokémon, making it an essential engine for Lightning decks. Thunderous Bolt's 230 damage is impressive, despite the turn skip. This card will see play.

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

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.A risk-reward draw Supporter that lets you discard one card and draw until you have six. It's perfect for refreshing your hand, especially in decks that benefit from discarding Energy or Pokémon. The full art design makes it even more appealing.

Iono's Kilowattrel Illustration Rare (163/159)

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.A Lightning-type support Pokémon that refills your hand with its Flashing Draw ability, though you must discard a Lightning Energy first. Mach Bolt's 70 damage is average, but this bird is all about hand advantage.

N's Reshiram Illustration Rare (167/159)

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.A 130 HP Dragon-type that becomes more dangerous with more damage taken. Powerful Rage can accumulate significant damage, while Virtuous Flame's 170 damage is solid but Energy-intensive. This card is perfect for high-risk, high-reward plays.

Articuno Illustration Rare (161/159)

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.A Water-type setup Pokémon that accelerates two Basic Water Energy onto itself with Frigid Fluttering. This is useful for quick battle readiness, and Ice Blast's 110 damage is respectable. A great starting piece for any Water deck.

Swinub Illustration Rare (165/159)

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.This cute card is useful early-game. Call for Family lets you search your deck for two Basic Pokémon, aiding setup. Lunge Out's 10 damage is minimal, but Swinub is more about setup than attacking.

Salamence ex Secret Rare (177/159)

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.This 320 HP Dragon-type monster excels at spreading damage and hitting hard. Wide Blast deals 50 damage to every Benched Pokémon, and Dragon Impact slams for 300 damage, requiring two discarded Energy. An absolute powerhouse.

Hop's Zacian ex (111/159)

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.A Steel-type legendary with a brutal 240-damage attack. The downside is that Brave Slash can't be used consecutively, necessitating a switching strategy. Insta-Strike offers some spread damage, but Zacian is designed for one-hit knockouts.

Alcremie ex (075/159)

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.A support-heavy Psychic Pokémon that heals 30 damage every turn with 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)

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.A tricky Pokémon that spreads damage. Mischievous Hands puts 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 strategy.

Veluza ex (043/159)

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.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 negligible. This card is all about going all-in.

Lillie's Clefairy ex (056/159)

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.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)

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.A Fire-type bruiser that burns the opponent's Active Pokémon just by being in play, thanks to its Scalding Steam ability. Scorching Cyclone's 160 damage is great, and moving an Energy to a Benched Pokémon makes it even better.

Mamoswine ex (079/159)

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.An absolute 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 terrifying in evolution-heavy decks.

Salamence ex (114/159)

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company + Creatures Inc.This is the second Salamence ex I pulled, and I'm not complaining. It has the same brutal power as the other one, with Wide Blast for spreading damage and Dragon Impact for a massive 300 damage hit. If you like big, hard-hitting Pokémon, this is the one.

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 adds a nostalgic layer to battles, and with stunning artwork, competitive value, and sheer nostalgia, this set has something for everyone.