Next Destinies (TCG)/Information

Next Destinies is the fourth expansion of the Black & White Series of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, and is the first to include TCG Pokémon-EX. Pokémon-EX is a variant of Pokémon similar to a different variant introduced during the EX Series: TCG Pokémon-ex. They share similar gameplay effects, but are different in both name and style. Pokémon-EX are more powerful versions of Pokémon, giving Trainers great rewards when used effectively, however, Trainers also suffer heavier losses when they are defeated.

Next Destinies includes six Pokémon-EX:, , , , , and. All six were given two different prints, one regular version, and one TCG Full Art card (Full Art) version each. Shaymin-EX and Mewtwo-EX come from the Japanese Psycho Drive expansion, while Kyurem-EX and Regigigas-EX come from the Japanese Hail Blizzard expansion. Reshiram-EX and Zekrom-EX come from the TCG Reshiram EX Battle Strength Deck and the TCG Zekrom EX Battle Strength Deck, respectively. Psycho Drive's and Hail Blizzard's  were not included in the English release for the set, and were instead saved for the subsequent set, TCG Dark Explorers.

Included in this set are Pokémon from outside the Unova region. Almost 40 Pokémon from before Generation V are included in the expansion. Because of the mainstream inclusion of Pokémon not native to the Unova region, the TCG Secret cards changed. Previously, Secret cards in the TCG Black & White and TCG Noble Victories expansions were of popular Pokémon that were extremely rare to Unova, specifically, and. Starting with this expansion, the Secret cards depicted Shiny Pokémon. These Shiny Pokémon were reprints of popular cards released previously during the Black & White Series. The included cards were from TCG Black & White (TCG Black Collection in Japan),  from TCG Noble Victories (TCG Red Collection in Japan),  from TCG Black & White (TCG White Collection in Japan), and  from TCG Noble Victories (TCG Red Collection in Japan).

Because Pokémon-EX are all TCG Basic Pokémon (Basic) Legendary Pokémon, some of the TCG Trainer cards are designed to benefit only Basics. lessens each Basic Pokémon's Retreat by, and provides every type of Energy when attached to a Basic. Also included was a reprint of, which many of the Pokémon in Next Destinies can utilize. A significant amount of Pokémon, such as, TCG Noble Victories (which originated from Psycho Drive), and , have 90 HP or less in order to utilize. The same can be said for, which can be utilized by , , and. TCG Emerging Powers, which originated from TCG Psycho Drive, is one of a few Pokémon that can utilize both.

The expansion focuses on Castelia City and the surrounding area. As such, much of the artwork features places around the city, such as depicted at the  ice cream stand, and  on the docks. Some, such as in Castelia Sewers, foreshadowed locations that would later become accessible in. This set also features the work of four illustrators new to the TCG: James Turner, Maiko Fujiwara, Tomohiro Kitakaze, and Megumi Mizutani. These four illustrators are all listed under "Pokémon design" on the credits of Pokémon Black and White.

Next Destinies contains cards from many sources, specifically the TCG Psycho Drive and TCG Hail Blizzard expansions, the TCG Reshiram EX Battle Strength Deck, the TCG Zekrom EX Battle Strength Deck, and two TCG BW-P Promotional cards (promotional) reprints of and  that were first given out in Japan with the TCG Battle Gift Set: Thundurus vs Tornadus. The Japanese counterparts Psycho Drive and Hail Blizzard feature both and  respectively. Cards released within these two expansions spanned four sets (TCG Emerging Powers, TCG Noble Victories, Next Destinies, and TCG Dark Explorers) when released in English.

The TCG Prerelease cards (Prerelease promo) for this set is.

Officially, the English release of the set contains 99 cards. Between alternate holofoils, promotional stamps, reverse holofoils, and Secret cards, the set contains 211 cards (not including error cards). A list of the non standard cards can be seen below.