Surely the most exciting aspect of the Pokemon TCG world is the Pokemon. But what is a Pokemon without its trainer? It’s the bond between trainer and Pokemon that has fueled the Pokemon story from the start. From the very moment Ash earned Pikachu’s trust, to present day with new popular trainers like Iono streaming their way to victory – trainers are integral to the world of Pokemon.

And yet, they’re so often left out of the picture in the Pokemon TCG: relegated to supporter type cards played once per turn.

Well, not anymore. For the first time since the classic Gym Challenge and Gym Heroes sets, a main Pokemon TCG set is featuring trainer Pokemon.

Called Journey Together and releasing on March 28, 2025, the Pokemon TCG world is about to get shook up in a very, very good way.

Journey Together set details

“With deep trust and steady guidance, trainers help bring out the best in their Pokémon. The bond they share empowers them to act as one in battle as they push their strength to the limit, including as Pokémon ex! Team up with N’s Zoroark ex, Iono’s Bellibolt ex, Lillie’s Clefairy ex, Hop’s Zacian ex, and more Trainer’s Pokémon, and discover the unstoppable power of friendship in the Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Journey Together expansion!” – The Pokemon Company International

Over 180 cards
More than 40 Trainer’s Pokémon
More than 15 Pokémon ex
More than 15 Trainer cards
More than 30 Pokémon and Trainer cards with special illustrations

Trainer’s Pokemon brings a fun new mechanic to the game

As something of a Pokemon TCG history buff, I can’t ignore the significance of trainer’s Pokemon once again joining the fray. However, part of me has to first be excited on what this means for the Pokemon TCG metagame.

While the Pokemon TCG is rarely stale, it has gone through something of a dry stretch, beginning with Twilight Masquerade/Shrouded Fable where Regidrago VSTAR took over the meta and cards like Fezandipiti entered the fray. The game hasn’t changed drastically in a while, and there haven’t been many completely new strategies or mechanics introduced into the game to shake things up.

While Budew entering the game has caused the meta to shift, a combination of rotation with this impactful new set should make for an interesting new metagame with plenty of new strategies to explore.

Journey Together introduces captivating new strategies into the game

Already we’ve seen cards released in Japan’s sister set, Battle Partners, that promise to introduce exciting and engaging new mechanics into the game. The most interesting mechanic to me are strategies focused around specific trainer’s Pokemon. These sorts of abilities will work to some extent as the Future/Ancient classifications from recent sets have worked, granting unique benefits and plays to specific trainer’s Pokemon. This will bring welcome variation into the game as well as likely powerful new decks.

Take for example the exciting new deck featuring N’s Zoraork ex. This deck unlocks powerful, N Pokemon specific abilities, such as using N’s Pokemon attacks from the bench and powering them up as well via N’s PP Up.

Past sets featuring trainer’s Pokemon

Putting aside the metagame for a moment, we have to acknowledge the fact that trainer Pokemon once again entering the fray is a big deal historically. Indeed, trainer Pokemon have not been part of a main set since the Gym Heroes/Gym Challenge days.

This era of the Pokemon TCG introduced absolutely iconic cards into the game featuring not just generic Pokemon but specific Pokemon we know and love from the games and anime.

One of the most memorable cards that came out during this period of the Pokemon TCG is also one of the most valuable Pokemon cards today: Blaine’s Charizard. Not only does having the specific trainer’s name besides the Pokemon’s unlock new kinds of playability – it also introduces a unique element to the card itself – helping to enhance collectibility.

More recently we’ve seen sets put an emphasis on trainers included alongside Pokemon in certain alternate artworks. However, those Pokemon did not have changes made to their name and were essentially the same Pokemon just with artworks featuring a trainer. These were part of the Trainer Gallery sets included alongside the main sets in the Sword and Shield era and many of these cards were very, very popular.

We’ve essentially been primed to embrace a more focused approach to trainer’s Pokemon given recent inclusions of trainers. The fact that we are actually getting a main set centered around trainers is beyond exciting – it makes us feel like we’re part of Pokemon TCG history in the making!

Secret rare cards revealed in Battle Partners shed light on this fantastic set

We already know what the main Journey Together chase cards are going to be due to their inclusion in Japan’s sister set, Battle Partners. My favorite of the cards below are the N’s Zoraork as well as the Salemence special illustration rare cards. You can see these and the others in the gallery below.

The Articuno Illustration Art card is also particularly gorgeous, however it’s a less rare card which means it likely won’t be worth quite as much as the SIRs.

Journey Together Preorders include the usual range of products

Given this is mainline release, we’ll be getting all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a major Pokemon TCG release. This includes booster boxes, ETBS, Booster Bundles and more. True to form, the artwork for these products feature Trainers heavily on the packaging.

Preorder on TCGPlayer

Journey Together Prereleases starts March 15,2025

Buy on TCGPlayer

Finally, Journey Together will also be having its prerelease two weeks before the main release date. Prereleases are a great opportunity to get hands on experience with cards before they come out. Additionally, Build and Battle boxes come with exclusive promos you only get from prereleases (or these products), making them a hit with collectors.

I couldn’t imagine a better set to kick off what is shaping up to be a very exciting year for the Pokemon TCG. With a new Trainer set like this, and a Team Rocket expansion on the horizon, the hits just keep on rolling. It’s a very good time to be alive for a Pokemon TCG fan.

Pokemon TCG: Journey Together Preview