100-Pack Opening: The Real Data
A documented 100-pack opening of Destined Rivals produced the following results. This is real data from an actual case opening — not theoretical averages. It shows both what you can realistically expect and how much variance still exists even at this sample size.
What was opened
- 100 booster packs total (one full case)
- Standard retail product — no distribution-level access
- Set contains 244 cards total
Hits pulled
- Multiple EX cards (frequent — roughly 1 in every 16 packs or better)
- 6 unique Full Art cards across the 100 packs
- Multiple Art Rares: Team Rocket Houndoom, Rotom, Hydrapple, Kangaskhan, and others
- 2 SIRs: Nidoking SIR and Team Rocket's Ariana SIR
- 1 Gold card: Jamming Tower gold
Hit rate breakdown
- Full Art (EX/Trainer): ~1 in 16 packs (stated rate)
- Gold card: ~1 in 50 packs (stated rate) — 1 pulled from 100
- SIR: ~1 in 100 packs (stated rate) — 2 pulled from 100, beating the odds
Key takeaway: This opening beat the stated SIR odds by pulling 2 from 100 packs. The stated rate is 1 in 100, meaning at exactly 100 packs you have roughly a 63% chance of hitting at least one SIR — and a 37% chance of hitting zero. Two in 100 is a lucky but realistic outcome. Do not expect to replicate it every time.
Destined Rivals Pull Rates: What the Numbers Say
The Pokemon Company does not publish official pull rates. The figures below are derived from community-published data and stated rates from documented case openings. Use them as planning estimates, not guarantees.
| Card Type | Stated / Est. Rate | Per ETB (9 packs) | Per Booster Box (36 packs) | Variance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secret Illustration Rare (SIR) | ~1 in 100 | ~1 in 11 ETBs | ~1 per 3 boxes | Very high — 0 or 2 in 100 are both realistic |
| Gold Card | ~1 in 50 | ~1 in 5–6 ETBs | ~0.7 per box | High — not guaranteed per box |
| Full Art (EX / Trainer) | ~1 in 16 | ~0.5–0.6 per ETB | ~2.2 per box | Moderate — fairly consistent across boxes |
| Art Rare | ~1 in 8–10 | ~1 per ETB | ~3–4 per box | Low — expect several per box |
| EX (Double Rare) | ~1 in 4–6 | ~1.5–2 per ETB | ~6–9 per box | Low — consistent |
Why SIR variance is so extreme
Even at a stated rate of 1 in 100 packs, the math means a single 100-pack case is a coin flip on getting even one SIR:
- At 1-in-100 odds, opening 100 packs gives ~63% probability of hitting at least 1 SIR
- That means ~37% of 100-pack openings are expected to produce zero SIRs — not bad luck, just probability
- Cases are factory-packed, not individually randomised — SIRs can cluster in one case and skip adjacent cases entirely
- Small sample sizes (1–3 boxes) are too small to draw meaningful conclusions about your personal hit rate
Gold cards in Destined Rivals
Destined Rivals contains multiple gold cards: Team Rocket's Mewtwo gold, Ethan's Ho-Oh gold, Crobat gold, and Jamming Tower gold. At a stated rate of approximately 1 in 50 packs, a booster box gives roughly a 50% chance of containing one gold card. The 100-pack opening above produced one gold — Jamming Tower — which aligns with the stated odds.
Team Rocket's Mewtwo SIR: The Biggest Chase
At launch, Team Rocket's Mewtwo SIR was the undisputed biggest chase card in Destined Rivals — one of the most expensive cards in the entire set. The combination of the iconic Team Rocket aesthetic, Mewtwo as a subject, and the SIR treatment created immediate demand from collectors and players alike.
Why Team Rocket's Mewtwo commands attention
- Team Rocket's Mewtwo is a direct callback to the original WotC Team Rocket and EX Team Rocket Returns eras — nostalgia is a powerful driver of demand
- Mewtwo consistently ranks among the most popular Pokemon for collectors, regardless of set
- The SIR treatment elevates the card to the top rarity tier in the set
- Both an SIR and a Gold version exist — the gold card is the rarer of the two at ~1 in 50 packs versus the SIR at ~1 in 100
- Strong player demand on top of collector demand kept the card at a premium at release
The full Team Rocket card roster
Destined Rivals includes a substantial Team Rocket subset — a first in many years for the English TCG:
- Team Rocket's Mewtwo (SIR + Gold)
- Team Rocket's Nidoking
- Team Rocket's Moltres
- Team Rocket's Articuno
- Team Rocket's Persian
- Team Rocket's Ariana (trainer — SIR pulled in this opening)
For collectors who grew up with the WotC era, this roster is the main draw of the entire set. The Team Rocket aesthetic — dark colour palette, ® logo, villain-themed artwork — is iconic, and seeing it return in a modern SIR format resonated strongly at launch.
Nidoking SIR: The Hidden Gem
While Team Rocket's Mewtwo SIR dominated the early conversation around Destined Rivals, the Nidoking SIR stands out to many collectors as the most artistically impressive card in the set. It was pulled in the documented 100-pack opening and described as "gorgeous" — specifically called out as deserving to be considered number one in the set.
What makes Nidoking SIR special
- Hand-drawn illustration style — a more painterly, textured artwork compared to the cleaner digital look of many SIRs
- Nidoking is a fan favourite from the original games with a strong collector following
- The Team Rocket's Nidoking framing gives it the full villain-team treatment
- At launch, it was somewhat undervalued relative to Mewtwo — making it a potentially stronger buy for collectors who appreciate art quality
- Pulled as one of the two SIRs in the documented 100-pack case — alongside Team Rocket's Ariana SIR
If you pull a Nidoking SIR and are considering selling quickly, be aware that underrated cards often correct upward over time as the market discovers them. Many collectors who missed it at launch actively look for raw copies.
Ethan's Ho-Oh: The Most Wanted Trainer Chase
On the Heatwave Arena side of Destined Rivals, the biggest collector targets are Ethan-themed cards. Ethan's Adventure — the full art trainer card — was called out as the single biggest personal chase in the documented 100-pack opening. Ethan's Ho-Oh EX SIR rounds out the top wants for HGSS fans.
Top Ethan and Ho-Oh cards to chase
- Ethan's Adventure (Full Art Trainer) — the most wanted trainer card in the set for many collectors; full art treatment with the HGSS aesthetic
- Ethan's Ho-Oh EX SIR — SIR rarity, one of the most visually striking cards in the set for Ho-Oh and HGSS fans
- Ethan's Ho-Oh EX Full Art — lower rarity than the SIR but still a strong full art pull
- Ethan's Ho-Oh EX Gold — gold card treatment, ~1 in 50 packs
- Ethan's Pichu — a fan favourite for collectors who love the HGSS era character roster
Full Art rate reminder
Ethan's Adventure is a Full Art Trainer, which means it falls into the ~1 in 16 pack slot. From a 9-pack ETB, you have roughly a 43% chance of pulling any full art trainer. Ethan's Adventure is one of several full art trainers in the set — so while the full art rate is generous, hitting the specific card you want still requires luck or buying the single outright.
Team Rocket vs Heatwave Arena: Understanding the Set Split
Destined Rivals is a combined English release of two separate Japanese sets: Heatwave Arena (featuring Ho-Oh, Ethan, and the HGSS aesthetic) and the Team Rocket set (the dedicated Team Rocket release). This merger has drawn some criticism from collectors who wanted a pure Team Rocket set.
What the combination means in practice
- The set is 244 cards total — larger than a single Japanese set would be
- The ETB is more Team Rocket themed in its design and packaging
- The booster box is more Heatwave Arena themed
- Collectors who buy the ETB expecting a pure Team Rocket experience may be surprised by the Ethan/Ho-Oh cards they pull
- Japan had an exclusive Team Rocket briefcase product — a sealed booster box in a briefcase — that English markets did not receive
- Some collectors feel the combination dilutes both sets; others appreciate the combined card pool in a single product
Why the combination is still a net positive for most collectors
Despite the criticism, the Destined Rivals card pool is strong on both sides. The Team Rocket subset is the first major Team Rocket representation in the modern TCG era — even in combined form, it is a significant release. The Heatwave Arena cards have their own dedicated fanbase in HGSS nostalgics. In practice, a single booster box will contain cards from both themes, which gives you more variety in your pulls rather than less.
Distribution: Easier than recent sets
One notable aspect of Destined Rivals is its broader retail distribution. Unlike recent high-demand sets that were limited to specialist TCG shops, Destined Rivals has been found at supermarkets and mass-market retailers. This means less FOMO at retail, less scalper premium, and more opportunities to buy at or near retail price — a real positive for Singapore collectors who missed out on tighter releases.
What This Means For Singapore Collectors
If you want a specific Destined Rivals SIR
Buy the single. Team Rocket's Mewtwo SIR, Nidoking SIR, and Ethan's Ho-Oh EX SIR are all available from Singapore sellers. At the expected cost to pull one specific SIR through opening (statistically, many times the single card price), buying outright is nearly always the rational choice. Use the tcgTalk price comparison to find the best current listing.
If you want to open packs
Set a fixed budget you are comfortable losing entirely — assume zero SIRs when you sit down to open. The Art Rares alone (Team Rocket Houndoom, Rotom, Hydrapple, Kangaskhan, Chibi Giovanni and Meowth) make Destined Rivals a satisfying set to open even without hitting the top rarities. Full arts and gold cards are achievable at reasonable pack counts. Enjoy the Team Rocket aesthetic and the HGSS nostalgia for what they are.
If you are buying sealed product
Destined Rivals' broader distribution means less short-term scarcity premium compared to sets like Surging Sparks or Prismatic Evolutions. Buy at or near Singapore retail. The long-term sealed appreciation story is still possible — especially given the Team Rocket nostalgia angle and the strong card pool — but do not pay a large above-retail premium expecting a quick flip.
Art Rare highlights worth knowing
Beyond the SIRs and gold cards, these Art Rares are the most talked-about in the set among collectors:
- Chibi Giovanni and Meowth — one of the most wanted Art Rares in the entire set
- Team Rocket Houndoom
- Rotom, Hydrapple, Kangaskhan (all pulled in the documented opening)
- Various Team Rocket Pokémon Art Rares throughout the set
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the SIR pull rates in Destined Rivals?
Community and published data puts Destined Rivals SIRs at approximately 1 per 100 packs. A real 100-pack opening pulled 2 SIRs — Nidoking SIR and Team Rocket's Ariana SIR — which slightly beat the stated odds. However, variance is significant: some 100-pack openings will produce 0 SIRs, while others may hit 3 or more. At exactly 100 packs, you have roughly a 63% chance of hitting at least one SIR.
What are the biggest chases in Destined Rivals?
Team Rocket's Mewtwo SIR was the biggest chase at launch — the most expensive card in the set at release. Nidoking SIR is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful SIRs with its hand-drawn artwork. On the trainer side, Ethan's Adventure full art trainer and Ethan's Ho-Oh EX SIR are the most sought-after Ethan-theme cards. Among Art Rares, Chibi Giovanni and Meowth is one of the most wanted in the set.
Is Destined Rivals easy to find in Singapore?
Yes — noticeably easier than many recent sets. Destined Rivals has been found at supermarkets and mass-market retailers alongside the usual specialist TCG shops. This broader distribution means less panic-buying at launch and more opportunities to find retail-price product. Singapore collectors who missed Surging Sparks or Prismatic Evolutions at retail should find Destined Rivals more accessible.
What makes Destined Rivals different from other sets?
Destined Rivals combines two Japanese sets — Heatwave Arena (Ho-Oh/Ethan/HGSS theme) and the Team Rocket set (the first dedicated Team Rocket release in many years, referencing WotC Team Rocket and EX Team Rocket Returns). This dual-theme approach gives the set broad appeal but has drawn some criticism from collectors who wanted a pure Team Rocket release. Japan also received an exclusive Team Rocket briefcase product that English markets did not get.
Is it worth opening Destined Rivals packs?
For the experience and enjoyment — yes. The Art Rares, full arts, and gold cards make Destined Rivals satisfying to open even without an SIR. Financially, buying singles is almost always cheaper than trying to pull specific SIRs. If Team Rocket's Mewtwo SIR or Nidoking SIR is your target, buying the single outright will cost far less than the statistical average spent trying to pull it.
Does Destined Rivals have Team Rocket exclusive cards?
Yes — Destined Rivals includes Team Rocket's Mewtwo, Team Rocket's Nidoking, Team Rocket's Moltres, Team Rocket's Articuno, Team Rocket's Persian, and trainer card Team Rocket's Ariana, among others. The set is a hybrid, so Team Rocket cards appear alongside Heatwave Arena cards in the same booster packs. Japan had an exclusive Team Rocket briefcase product that was not released in English markets.
Looking for specific Destined Rivals cards? Browse Team Rocket's Mewtwo SIR, Nidoking SIR, Ethan's Ho-Oh, and all Destined Rivals singles listed by Singapore collectors at tcgTalk Price Comparison.
Disclaimer: Pull rates are community estimates and stated rates from documented openings. The Pokemon Company does not publish official pull rates for any set. All pull rate figures are indicative estimates — actual results will vary. This is not financial advice.