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

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet — Journey Together is set to launch on March 28, 2025, and it's bringing back a beloved feature from 2004: Trainer's Pokémon. This exciting set reintroduces the charm of classics like EX Team Magma vs. Team Aqua, and I'm thrilled to give you a sneak peek.

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Journey Together highlights four iconic Trainers: N, Iono, Lillie, and Hop, each paired with their own Pokémon ex that showcases the strong bonds they share with their teams. Whether you're looking to build a deck around N's Zoroark ex, Lillie's Clefairy ex, or Iono's Bellibolt ex, this set offers plenty of opportunities to do so.

Check out the full Pokémon TCG Release Schedule for 2025

My Journey Together Product Openings

With over 180 cards, there's a lot to look forward to in this set. It includes over 40 Trainer's Pokémon, 16 Pokémon ex, 11 Illustration Rares, six Special Illustration Rares, and three Hyper Rare gold cards. Box Toppers are making a comeback as well, 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, the excitement builds with every 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 that will enhance my decks.

I didn't manage to pull Hop's Zacian ex or Lillie's Clefairy ex Special Art Rare, but that's the nature of Booster Boxes. They offer many chances, but nothing is guaranteed. Nonetheless, it was the best way to experience the set. If you enjoy opening packs or want to boost your collection, a Booster Box is a great 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 more premium experience than loose packs. The N's Zorua promo immediately caught my eye, and the box is perfect for card storage. The included sleeves, dice, and condition markers are great for players, and with nine booster packs, there's still potential for excellent pulls.

I didn't expect anything too extraordinary from just nine packs, but I still managed to pull Iono's Kilowattrel Illustration Rare, Articuno Illustration Rare, and a Veluza ex. These fun cards made the opening worthwhile. While ETBs don't offer as many hits as a Booster Box, they provide a structured, all-in-one product. If you want a mix of pack-opening excitement and collectible extras, this 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 different kind of thrill compared to Booster Boxes or Elite Trainer Boxes. The highlight here is the prebuilt 40-card deck, allowing you to jump straight into a game. I pulled Hop's Snorlax as my promo, which is a fantastic card. Its ability boosts all of Hop's Pokémon attacks by 30 damage, making it almost essential for any deck featuring his lineup.

The four packs didn't disappoint, as I pulled Mamoswine ex and Swinub Illustration Rare, which perfectly fit 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 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 from all our openings.

Our Pokémon TCG: Journey Together Pulls

I opened 49 booster packs across all our products and ended up with 18 rare cards. Some were exactly what I hoped for, while others were pleasant surprises. Trainers can expect to pull many 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 excellent for any Trainer-themed deck, and while Dynamic Press hits hard, the 80 recoil damage is significant. Still, the ability alone makes it a valuable addition to any Hop-based strategy.

N's Zorua (Promo 189)

A cute but unremarkable card that exists to evolve into something better. With 70 HP and 20 damage from Scratch, it won't turn many heads, 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, dealing 20 damage every time the Pokémon it's attached to gets hit, making it both offensive and defensive. It also provides Colorless Energy. An absolute win.

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

A 280 HP Lightning-type beast with Energy acceleration capabilities. Its Electric Streamer ability allows unlimited Lightning Energy attachment to Iono's Pokémon, making it an instant engine for Lightning decks. Thunderous Bolt's 230 damage is great, though it means skipping a turn. This card will see 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. This is a great way to refresh your hand, especially in decks that benefit from discarding Energy or Pokémon. Being a full art card 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, though you must discard a Lightning Energy first. Mach Bolt's 70 damage is average, but this bird is more about hand advantage than brute force.

N's Reshiram Illustration Rare (167/159)

A 130 HP Dragon-type that becomes more dangerous the more damage it takes. Powerful Rage can rack up serious numbers, while Virtuous Flame's 170 damage is solid but Energy-intensive. Ideal for high-risk, high-reward plays.

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 starting piece for any Water deck.

Swinub Illustration Rare (165/159)

This adorable little guy is useful early-game. Call for Family lets you search your deck for two Basic Pokémon, which is huge for setup. Lunge Out's 10 damage is minimal, but Swinub isn't here to attack.

Salamence ex Secret Rare (177/159)

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, though you must discard two Energy. An absolute beast.

Hop's Zacian ex (111/159)

A Steel-type legendary with a brutal 240-damage attack. The downside? Brave Slash can't be used twice in a row, requiring a switching strategy. Insta-Strike does a little spread damage, but Zacian is designed to knock things out in one hit.

Alcremie ex (075/159)

A support-heavy Psychic 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 loves spreading damage. Mischievous Hands puts three damage counters on two of your opponent's Pokémon, setting up knockouts later. 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're willing to discard your whole hand. Purging Strike is high-risk, high-reward, and Razor Fin's 30 damage is barely worth mentioning. This card is all-in or nothing.

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 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)

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 if you have more Stage 2 Pokémon on your Bench, making it terrifying in evolution-heavy decks.

Salamence ex (114/159)

This is the second Salamence ex I pulled, and I'm not complaining. It has the same brutal power 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 poised to be one of the most exciting Pokémon TCG expansions in years. The return of Trainer's Pokémon, a nostalgic feature absent for some time, adds an extra layer of personality 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

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With its release date of March 28, 2025, just around the corner, now's the time to start planning 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.