The Short Answer
- Destined Rivals (May 30, 2025) is the largest S&V-era set: 244 cards — 182 main + 62 secret rares
- Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex SIR #231 (~$455 raw) is the flagship chase — grade any clean copy
- Cynthia's Garchomp ex SIR #232 (~$234) and Ethan's Ho-Oh ex #230 (~$152) round out the top tier
- 62 secret rares means chase density is low — most hits are mid-tier SIRs worth $30-100
- Trainer's Pokemon theme (Team Rocket, Cynthia, Ethan) gives the set unusual collector breadth
- Grade top chases at PSA Standard; mid SIRs only after a strict defect screen
The Biggest Set of the Scarlet & Violet Era
Destined Rivals (set code DRI) released May 30, 2025 with 244 cards — 182 main-set plus a massive 62 secret rares, the largest S&V-era expansion. Its theme pairs two beloved eras: Team Rocket's Pokemon (Mewtwo ex, Nidoking ex, Moltres ex — the first Rocket cards in over a decade) against Trainer's Pokemon led by Cynthia's Garchomp ex and Ethan's Ho-Oh ex.
The huge secret-rare pool means the chase odds are diluted — but the top of the set is genuinely strong. Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex SIR #231 runs ~$455 raw and is one of 2025's defining chase cards. This guide covers what deserves the grading fee and what doesn't.
Set Structure and Identity
- Released: May 30, 2025 (English)
- Size: 244 total — 182 main set + 62 secret rares
- Theme: Owner's Pokemon — Team Rocket's Pokemon (Mewtwo, Nidoking, Moltres, Zapdos, Articuno) vs. Trainer's Pokemon (Cynthia's Garchomp, Ethan's Ho-Oh, Misty's, Team Rocket's Giovanni)
- Rarities: Illustration Rares, Special Illustration Rares, Hyper Rares, Ultra Rares across the 62-card secret tier
The nostalgia engine is powerful here — Team Rocket returning after years away drove heavy ripping, and the Mewtwo SIR's artwork (dark, cinematic) became the era-defining pull.
Top Chase Cards to Grade
| Card | # | Est. Raw | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex SIR | 231/182 | ~$400-455 | Grade — flagship chase |
| Cynthia's Garchomp ex SIR | 232/182 | ~$230-234 | Grade |
| Ethan's Ho-Oh ex SIR | 230/182 | ~$150-152 | Grade strong copies |
| Team Rocket's Nidoking ex SIR | 233/182 | ~$95-100 | Screen first |
| Team Rocket's Moltres ex SIR | 229/182 | ~$90-94 | Screen first |
| Team Rocket's Crobat ex SIR | 234/182 | ~$60-63 | Marginal |
Mewtwo ex SIR: at ~$455 raw, grading is near-automatic on clean copies — the PSA 10 premium on the era's flagship Trainer card runs well into four figures, and even a 9 retains solid value because it's a generational Mewtwo.
Cynthia's Garchomp: Cynthia is among the most-collected trainers; Garchomp ex SIR holds ~$230+ raw. Grade clean copies.
Ho-Oh ex: Johto nostalgia plus Ethan — steady $150 tier. Grade screened copies.
The Mid Tier — Most of the 62 Secret Rares
62 secret rares means most Destined Rivals SIRs/IRs land in the $5-60 range. At ~$20-70 all-in grading cost, the math only works if the card grades a 10 and comps show a graded premium that clears the fee.
- Under $40 raw: nearly always skip — fee exceeds realistic graded premium
- $40-100 raw: grade only flawless copies; CGC Economy ($20) is the margin-preserving lane
- $100+ raw: grade after screening; PSA or CGC Standard both work
Check specific card comps at our population tool before submitting — Destined Rivals pops are still growing, and thin-pop mid-tier SIRs sometimes carry surprising premiums.
Destined Rivals Screening Notes
- Print quality was average: mid-2025 S&V-era printing produced the usual spread — off-center copies, minor edge whitening, occasional press lines on textured cards.
- Dark artwork: the Team Rocket cards lean dark — whitening on dark-bordered art is extremely visible to graders. Check edges under angled light.
- Textured SIRs: roller lines across the embossed texture are a known S&V-era defect — tilt-check every SIR.
- Pack-fresh isn't defect-free: always inspect before assuming a clean pull grades a 10.
AI pre-grading reads all four components from photos — the fastest screen on a pile of pulled chases.
Does Grading Destined Rivals Pay?
Yes: the three lead chases (Mewtwo, Garchomp, Ho-Oh) plus clean copies of the Rocket legendary birds (Moltres, Zapdos, Articuno SIRs when comps support) — these carry generational-demand premiums.
Marginal: $40-100 SIRs — only flawless copies, only at CGC Economy pricing, only when comps confirm a graded premium.
No: IRs and the bulk of the secret-rare pool — fee exceeds card economics.
Run each candidate through the ROI calculator with live comps before committing fees.
How to Submit
- Screen every candidate — centering, edges, surface, corners.
- Tier by value: Mewtwo/Garchomp → PSA Standard ($59.99) or Priority; mid SIRs → CGC Economy ($20) or SGC Standard ($50).
- Declared value — Mewtwo ex PSA 10 comps can exceed $1,000, pushing it into PSA Priority's $1,500 cap; see the declared value guide.
- Standard packing: penny sleeve → Card Saver I → team-bag sandwich → tracked shipping.
Full process: PSA submission guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most valuable card in Destined Rivals?
Is Destined Rivals worth grading?
How many cards are in Destined Rivals?
What is the pull rate for Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex SIR?
Should I grade Destined Rivals at PSA or CGC?
Sources & Further Reading
- TCG Watchtower — Destined Rivals
- Bulbapedia — Destined Rivals
- PSA Population Report
- Pokemon.com — Destined Rivals
The PreGradeCards Research Team combines machine-learning engineers, grading analysts, and collector-education specialists to produce accurate, data-driven guides on AI card grading, professional grading standards, and collecting strategy.
With submission floors rising, pre-screening is no longer optional. Use our AI Pre-Grade Calculator to score a card's PSA 10 odds before you pay, and the Submission Planner to pick the right tier.