Opening a pack from Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals delivers the thrill of hunting iconic chase cards like Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex, Cynthia’s Garchomp ex, or Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex. But if you open the pack straight out of the foil wrapper, you run the risk of glancing at the rare slot early or spoiling the sequence.
Executing the Destined Rivals card trick reorders the cards precisely so every common, uncommon, reverse foil, and secret rare reveals in escalating suspense.
1. Modern Pack Order vs. Vintage: The Collation Shift
Many returning collectors still habitually shift 4 cards or 3 cards forward. In older generations, doing a “4 from the back to the front” maneuver was standard practice to bury the Holo or Ultra Rare behind the energy card.
The Scarlet & Violet series completely overhauled factory collation. In Destined Rivals, every standard booster pack comes with guaranteed foil cards and a dedicated energy card position.
| Generation Era | Classic Trick Count | Rare Card Slot | Energy Card Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Destined Rivals (SV10) | Move 1 Card | Slot 10 (Last card) | Slot 11 (Back of pack) |
| Sword & Shield (SWSH) | Move 4 Cards | Slot 10 (Before Energy) | Slot 6 (Middle) |
| Sun & Moon (SM) | Move 4 Cards | Slot 10 | Slot 6 |
| XY / Black & White | Move 3 Cards | Slot 10 | Varies / No Energy |
2. Step-by-Step: The Destined Rivals 1-Card Execution
Follow this sequence strictly to ensure your high-value cards remain undamaged and revealed in the ideal visual climax:
- Step 1: Open From the Back Fin. Gently lift the rear wrapper seal at the top and pull outward. Avoid scissors to eliminate any risk of edge clipping or surface scratching.
- Step 2: Remove the Code Card. Without turning the cards face-up, pull the first white card facing you off the back and set it face-down. This prevents the digital QR code from spoiling your pull.
- Step 3: Transfer Exactly One Card. Take the newly exposed card sitting on the back of the deck (which is your Basic Energy or foil Energy card) and place it directly onto the front of the deck.
- Step 4: Rotate Face-Up and Reveal. Turn the stack around. You will now see the Energy card, guessing the element before moving through the 4 Commons and 3 Uncommons.
- Step 5: The Double Reverse / Hit Climax. Cards 8 and 9 will be your Reverse Holos, Trainer Galleries, or Illustration Rares (IR). Card 10—the final card in your hand—is where the Double Rare ex, Ultra Rare, or Special Illustration Rare (SIR) will appear.
Top 10 Valuable Chase Cards in Destined Rivals: Pull Rates & Price Guide (SV10)
3. What Cards Land in Which Slots?
Understanding the exact inventory of a Destined Rivals booster pack ensures you spot error printings or factory miscuts early:
- Slot 1 (Front): Basic Energy (or foil Basic Energy card).
- Slots 2 to 5: Standard Commons (e.g., Team Rocket’s Houndour, Smoliv, Pineco).
- Slots 6 to 8: Standard Uncommons (e.g., Trainer Items, Stage 1 evolutions).
- Slot 9 (Foil Slot 1): Reverse Holofoil or Illustration Rare (IR).
- Slot 10 (Foil Slot 2): Second Reverse Holo or Secret Illustration Rare (SIR).
- Slot 11 (The Finale): Regular Holo Rare, Double Rare ex, Full Art Ultra Rare, or Gold Hyper Rare.
4. Pro Tips: Sleeving & Preserving Top Hits
Destined Rivals features high-value cards centering around Team Rocket and iconic rival pairings. Pulling a top-tier chase card requires immediate handling precautions:
- Edge Protection: Never slide your thumbs firmly across holographic foils during the card trick, as micro-abrasions diminish PSA/BGS grading potential.
- Double-Sleeve Chase Cards: Place Special Illustration Rares immediately into a penny sleeve (such as KMC or Dragon Shield Clear) followed by a rigid semi-rigid sleeve or top-loader.
- Watch for Double Hits: Unlike older sets where you only expect one hit, Scarlet & Violet allows for “Demi-God” pulls where both an Illustration Rare and an Ultra Rare occur in the same pack.
💡 The Golden Rule of Destined Rivals:
Remember: Throw away the code card, move 1 card from the back to the front, and flip. That simple move guarantees an authentic, suspenseful pack-opening experience every single time.
