Pre-Orders for Pokemon TCG Journey Together Elite Trainer Box Cause Pokemon Center Website Crash

Pre-orders for the highly anticipated Pokemon Trading Card Game set, titled Journey Together, launched recently, leading to an overwhelming response that temporarily incapacitated the Pokemon Center website. Fans were particularly eager to secure Elite Trainer Boxes, resulting in a flurry of activity online.

The Journey Together set will feature cards originating from the Japanese Battle Partner’s series, showcasing a unique twist on the Trainer card mechanic. Each Trainer’s Pokemon will be distinctly associated with a specific character; for example, Hop’s Dubwool is exclusive to evolving from Hop’s Wooloo, setting it apart from the general Wooloo cards.

Release Date and Pre-order Frenzy

Scheduled for release on March 28, the pre-orders commenced with much fanfare. However, as noted in discussions on the Pokemon TCG Reddit, the website’s infrastructure could not handle the surge of interest, leading to significant frustration among fans.

journey together etb revealed!! by u/Substantial-Thanks-9 in PokemonTCG

High Demand and Market Challenges

The rapid sell-out of Elite Trainer Boxes is no surprise given the continuous high demand for new Pokemon TCG cards in recent years. Unfortunately, much of this demand may be attributed to scalpers rather than genuine collectors and fans eager to add these cards to their collections.

Journey Together includes a significant number of cards that feature iconic human characters, such as N and Ethan, and their respective Pokemon. This aspect is expected to drive demand for alternate and full-art cards significantly higher than usual.

Additionally, the set will introduce potent competitive cards—such as the newly unveiled Tyranitar with a powerful ability—that do not rely on the Trainer’s Pokemon mechanic. Even in the absence of elaborate artwork, the demand for these effective gameplay cards will remain substantial.

Implications for Collectors and Scalpers

As the release date approaches, it is anticipated that the Journey Together Elite Trainer Boxes will appear on resale platforms once they are shipped in March. Although the Pokemon Center restricts purchases to a maximum of two units per customer, this measure may only serve as a slight barrier for determined scalpers employing automated bots to secure larger quantities.

For dedicated collectors, the launch of this set presents both excitement and challenges in navigating the competitive market landscape. Staying updated on the latest release strategies and community discussions can prove advantageous for securing treasured additions to their collections.

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