The Pokémon Company is continuing to reveal new Pokémon TCG products and content. Read on below to learn more:
Recruit some of the villainous team’s favorite and most iconic Pokémon for your next battle.
Rivals play a vital role in the Pokémon world, inspiring Trainers to grow stronger and dishing up epic battles. In the Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Destined Rivals expansion, a significant number of those rivals just happen to be rocking a red “R” on their chests. Featuring a handful of familiar Team Rocket faces and dozens of powerful Team Rocket’s Pokémon, this expansion is a celebration of the rebellious spirit and devastating style we’ve come to expect from the Pokémon world’s most iconic villainous team. And if you don’t consider yourself a fan of Team Rocket now, you just might be one after sneaking a peek at some of the incredible cards in this new expansion.
While many of Team Rocket’s Pokémon are masters of intimidation, some fall into the category better known as “too cute for words.” Team Rocket’s Mareep, for example, is baaaaad to the bone, but that doesn’t stop it from also being sheepishly adorable. Illustrator Teeziro captures the Wool Pokémon lingering in an alley, looking like it could be about to jump an opponent on orders from Ariana. But who would mind a tussle with such a little cutie?
Meanwhile, Houndour is a Pokémon frequently associated with Team Rocket, but that doesn’t exactly stop you from wanting to give illustrator Krgc’s Team Rocket’s Houndour a scritch on the head while telling it that it’s the best, cutest, fiercest little Pokémon in the whole wide world. Even with its fangs bared, the Dark Pokémon is a little ray of sunshine.
Then there’s Team Rocket’s Meowth, who is portrayed with Giovanni sitting in the background. The duo looks to be preparing for a dastardly evening of…relaxing in a cozy study together? Meowth is one of Team Rocket’s most iconic Pokémon, which makes Shimaris Yukichi’s full-art illustration capturing a companionable scene of quiet contemplation all the more sweet.
Fans of a good heist film will find plenty to love in the Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Destined Rivals expansion. Kick off the caper with Team Rocket’s Tarountula, which is clearly the best candidate for sneaking into small spaces. Artist Saboteri depicts the String Ball Pokémon surrounded by an ominous red glow befitting any of Team Rocket’s Pokémon.
After successfully infiltrating the target location, Team Rocket’s Murkrow is ready to take the lead in hacking the mainframe. Illustrator Mugi Hamada captures Team Rocket’s Murkrow sporting the same expression as Ariana, who is serving a confident smirk from the lower right corner of the image.
No heist would be complete without the getaway, and HYOGONOSUKE’s full-art Team Rocket’s Orbeetle has us covered. A Team Rocket Grunt is depicted sprinting, a single trickle of sweat on his face—a testament to his physical exertion. Surrounded by vivid yellow spotlights, this Team Rocket Grunt certainly seems to be in a tight spot. Luckily, the Orbeetle hovering above him looks like it might have a plan to save the day—it is a Pokémon that’s known for its intelligence, after all.
The Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Destined Rivals expansion makes a compelling case for joining the Pokémon world’s most famous villainous team. But if Team Rocket’s tough, cool Pokémon aren’t enough to persuade you, Team Rocket’s Hypno , from artist Yuya Oka, may be up to the task. With its intense eye contact and pendulum raised aggressively at eye level, Hypno is clearly prepared to harness its famed powers of hypnosis.
Artist AKIRA EGAWA’s Team Rocket’s Moltres ex is scorchingly intense, showcasing Team Rocket’s immense power. The Flame Pokémon dominates this full-art card, a vision of smoldering power so overwhelming you can almost feel the heat emanating from it.
But when it comes to attracting new recruits, few cards are as powerful as Team Rocket’s Giovanni. In illustrator Krgc’s deft hands, Team Rocket’s infamous leader beckons temptingly. Behind him, Proton, Petrel, Ariana, and Archer pose dramatically, having already succumbed to the temptations of villainy.
With the right determination and spirit, any Pokémon can be a Team Rocket Pokémon. There are, however, certain Pokémon that we’ve come to associate with Team Rocket over the years. Team Rocket’s Wobbuffet might be paired with a generic Grunt from the Pokémon video games, but the most famous Wobbuffet of all is almost certainly the one that’s been blasting off with Team Rocket in the animation across countless seasons. Artist Kazumasa Yasukuni even depicts Team Rocket’s Wobbuffet delivering its iconic salute.
Anyone battling a Team Rocket Grunt in the video games almost certainly encountered a Team Rocket’s Raticate at one point or another. While Raticate might not look as intimidating as some of Team Rocket’s other Pokémon, illustrator Mékayu’s full-art ode to the colorful chaos of the Mouse Pokémon illustrates the perils of dismissing Raticate. Or, in this case, eight Raticate and a Rattata.
Last but certainly not least, there’s Team Rocket’s Houndoom, which was seemingly destined to be paired with Team Rocket due to having the word “doom” in its name. Houndoom appears alongside Archer in multiple video games and in Pokémon Masters EX, but illustrator nagimiso’s Team’s Rocket’s Houndoom might just be the most terrifying of them all: it appears to be breathing fire as it leaps over Archer in an overwhelming—and terrifying—display of athleticism.
Build your own villainous teams, Trainers, and check out more incredible art with the Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Destined Rivals expansion.
Source: The Pokémon Company International and Pokemon.com
Source:Pokémon
