Breaking: Phantasmal Flames Packs Found in Destined Rivals Blisters—What You Need to Know

The Pokémon TCG community is buzzing with excitement after collectors discovered an unexpected packaging error: Phantasmal Flames booster packs appearing inside Mega Evolution blister packages. This manufacturing mix-up has given some lucky collectors an early look at cards from the upcoming set—weeks before the official November 14th release date.

According to reports on the r/PokemonTCG subreddit, collectors purchasing Mega Evolution hanger blisters from Gamestop have found Phantasmal Flames packs mistakenly included in their purchases. Reddit user BasedThirdImpact shared images of the error pack on October 3rd, 2025, sparking widespread discussion across the community.

One collector stated: "He said it was a random restock of DR hanger blisters from Walmart, and didn't notice the error pack until he had already opened!" (Source: Reddit r/PokemonTCG)

The discovery is particularly notable because Phantasmal Flames isn't scheduled to release until November 14, 2025, making these error packs some of the first English-language cards from the set to surface publicly.

Perhaps the biggest news from this packaging error is the confirmation of an English-language Meowth Illustration Rare in Phantasmal Flames. This card was previously only available in the Japanese Inferno X set and commanded premium prices—often exceeding $100 for the Japanese version.

Community members expressed relief at the discovery. One collector commented: "Hallelujah!! Thank god we don't have to pay crazy prices to get that Meowth Card." Another noted: "I literally just paid crazy prices for it 2 weeks ago RIP." (Source: Reddit r/PokemonTCG)

The English release of this card is expected to significantly reduce prices for collectors who've been waiting for an accessible version.

Phantasmal Flames (known as Inferno X in Japan) is the second set in the Mega Evolution series, featuring:

The set officially releases on November 14, 2025, with products including booster packs, Elite Trainer Boxes, and various collection boxes available at participating retailers. (Source: Pokémon.com)

This isn't the first packaging error collectors have encountered recently, leading some community members to joke about quality control. One Reddit user quipped: "Someone high up in QA must be on vacation, lol." (Source: Reddit r/PokemonTCG)

While packaging errors are relatively rare, they can create interesting opportunities for collectors—both in terms of early access to new cards and potential value for the error packaging itself.

If you're hunting for Destined Rivals products at major retailers like Walmart, keep an eye out for any unusual packaging. While most blisters will contain the correct packs, this error demonstrates that manufacturing mix-ups can happen.

For those interested in the Meowth Illustration Rare, the good news is that you'll have a much more affordable path to obtaining this card when Phantasmal Flames officially launches on November 14th.