Get notified when Battle Partners is available for pre-order at The Poké Court!
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Updated 12/27/2024
Releasing in Japan on January 24, 2025, Battle Partners will be the ninth main expansion set from the Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet era. It is the Japanese counterpart of the upcoming English set, Journey Together (releasing March 28, 2025).
Battle Partners will feature the return of one of my favorite card concepts, “Trainer’s Pokémon”! These are cards that showcase a small avatar of a particular trainer from the word of Pokémon on each card featuring one of their partner Pokémon and the card name will follow the “Trainer’s Pokémon” format, eg. “Lillie’s Clefairy”. The secret rare cards will also most likely feature full art illustrations of the trainers interacting with their partner Pokémon.
The “Trainer’s Pokémon” concept was first introduced in the Gym Heroes and Gym Challenge sets back in ye old 1998-2000. I remember being so excited to be holding cards not just for any Pokémon, but those of my favorite Gym Leaders and the Pokémon I watched them battle with in the anime and games (shoutout Erika’s Vileplume 🌺). And now they were part of my team!
While I personally don’t hold as much nostalgia or sentiment for the trainers that have so far been confirmed to be featured in Battle Partners (Iono, N, Hop, and Lillie), I hope for those that do this set captures that same special feeling!
FYI TCG Players: Battle Partners will be the first set with the “I” regulation mark. “F” regulation mark cards will no longer be legal for tournament play after the release.
The full card list for Battle Partners isn't available yet, but here are the Secret Rares that have been revealed so far. We'll continue to update as more cards come out!
The Iono's Wattrel full art card will given out as a promo card to those who purchase the Battle Styles booster box at Japanese Pokémon Centers and other participating retailers.
And here are a couple examples of how the trainer avatar will appear on "Trainer's Pokémon" cards. (Not every card in Battle Partners will be a "Trainer's Pokémon" card.)
Get notified when Battle Partners is available for pre-order at The Poké Court! Prefer English cards? The English versions of Battle Partners cards will be in Journey Together.
