Shop Battle Partners at The Poké Court!
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Released on January 24, 2025, Battle Partners is 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 features the return of one of my favorite card concepts, “Trainer’s Pokémon”! These are cards that represent not just any old Pokémon, but ones that are specifically partnered with beloved trainers from the Pokémon anime, games, and manga. (Note though, not all cards from this set are Trainer's Pokémon cards.)
Trainer’s Pokémon cards follow a particular naming convention, eg. “Lillie’s Clefairy”, and cards within the regular setlist also include a small avatar of the respective trainer. Many of the secret rares from Battle Partners showcase amazing 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 for my favorite Gym Leaders and the Pokémon I watched them battle with in the anime/games (shoutout Erika’s Vileplume) -- and now they were part of my team! 💪
For everyone that holds similar nostalgia or sentiment for the trainers featured in Battle Partners (Iono, N, Hop, and Lillie), I hope this set captures that same special feeling!
FYI TCG Players: Battle Partners is the first set with the “I” regulation mark. “F” regulation mark cards will no longer be legal for tournament play after release.
Curious as to which cards are the most valuable from Battle Partners? Here are the Top 12. (compiled from various sources such as TCGPlayer, Collectr, Pricecharting, etc.)
Pokémon Ranger Kat's Bonus Pick: In a set filled with amazing illustrations featuring trainers and their Pokémon, I still want to give some love to the Pokémon flying (or floating) solo, like this absolute unit of a Wailord! Fun fact, sperm whales sleep vertically in the ocean. 😴
If you're interested in the full list of Secret Rares from Battle Partners, you can check them out here.
Shop Battle Partners booster boxes and booster packs at The Poké Court! Prefer English cards? Find the English versions of Battle Partners cards in Journey Together.
