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Promotional image used on distributor websites, such as MasterReplicas for the UK market, as well as Ozzie Collectables and Popcultcha websites for the AUS and NZ markets.
This set was announced in a press release from Heathside Trading and BBC Studios on 6th of October 2025 with a current estimated launch for February or March 2026 to mark 20 years since the initial release of Battles in Time Exterminator Sets. Using the now updated Master Replica's site, the special Game Pack contains 80 new unique cards. 72 cards are reissues from the classic trading card game that have been printed on a special foil for the first time and there are 8 all-new cards feature the Fifteenth Doctor, his closest friends and some of his most powerful foes.
Darren Epstein, EVP of Global Business Development at Heathside, said: “We have a long history of working on trading cards at Heathside, and a few of us were collectors of the original Battles in Time game, so we’re thrilled to be bringing it back to fans with all new cards. We’re excited to be expanding our range with BBC Studios following the success of our wider Doctor Who collectibles portfolio, and we look forward to bringing even more iconic products to fans.”
A spokesperson for BBC Studios added: “Doctor Who has one of the richest archives in entertainment, and Battles in Time is a beloved part of that legacy. We’re delighted to be working with Heathside to bring this iconic trading card game back to fans, both in its original form and with exciting new additions. It’s a fantastic way to celebrate the 20th anniversary and continue engaging audiences with the world of Doctor Who.”
It is currently believed that the Retroduction set will act almost as a re-introduction and a "Test Set" similar to what was previously seen in 2006, with further sets following. What can be deduced is that the cards themselves will not continue from 1075, the last Devastator card, acting as their own set similar to what was seen with Daleks Vs Cybermen and Adventurer expansions. Though, the former expansions had "DVC#" or "SJA#" signifying that they are their own set, the Retroduction set appears to have normal numbering, for example the promotional Dalek card is Number 12.
Unlike previous sets, I am able to post a LIVE link to these fantastic new cards, which can be purchased on Master Replica's website here or by visiting "www.newbattlesintime.com"
Promotional image used on the announcement of Battles in Time return on social media platforms.
Promotional image used on distributor websites, such as MasterReplicas for the UK market, as well as Ozzie Collectables and Popcultcha websites for the AUS and NZ markets.
At the time of writing this segment of the website there is limited information available regarding how the set will consist, and if there is anything other than Common cards, however much like Daleks vs Cybermen, the cards themselves will be printed on foil rather than "common" card stock. It has been shown that the foil used on these cards appears to be of "superior" quality to the previous cards and showing effects more akin to the original Super Rares.
What can be established however, is that there will be a collectors set, pictured left, which include packs of cards as well as a large promotional card which depicts the 'Dalek' card from the Exterminator sets. Though originally, this card was a rare foil card, it appears as though this card is now a common card.
There are two separate pack designs visible, the left showing the Disney/BBC merger design more in keeping with 2020s era Doctor Who, as well as a rebranded "Exterminator" pack design with the new Doctor Who logo above. Surrounding this image are cards from the original Battles in Time sets ranging from Exterminator through to Devastator. Again, it appears as though the cards are now common cards, such as the 'Weeping Angel (attacking)' card from the Invader set which used to be a Rare, now being a common. Mixed in however are two new cards, the Fifteenth Doctor and the Eleventh Doctor which are two of the eight new designs.
Though not perfect, using what I have with the remastered pack designs I made on another page of this site, I have rendered and approximation of what the card packs looked like.
Photo taken at the London Toy Fair in 2026 showing an early print of the Retroduction cards.
Exterminator Labelled Test Print Cards
Through the early months of 2026 some media was released whereby the initial video's and images of the cards showed the re-used images from the original sets. What can be established is that the designs appear to be predominantly in order of their sets, Exterminator to Annihilator and so on,
What was also noticed by avid fans was these cards had "Exterminator" on the base of the card which did not match the "Retroduction" set name. It has since been established that these "Exterminator" labelled cards were test prints and are not intended for distribution. There are only around 10 sets of these remaining with the rest being destroyed and the "Exterminator" logo was printed gold where the public release cards appear to be silver.
The photo here taken at the London Toy Fair in 2026 shows an early print run of the Retroduction set to give fans an idea of what the cards will look like. Looking closely at these cards, they were labelled Exterminator rather than Retroduction which while initially did cause confusion it has now been confirmed these care were test prints and not the final designs.
Other media also showed these Test cards, with Darren Epstein, CEO of Heathside Trading showing the cards off and in the video the "Exterminator" logo can be seen - something which has now been confirmed to be changed for the main release.
Scans of these "Test Print" cards can be found below underneath the scans for the main Retroduction release.
Snapshot of the now deleted video from Tiktok showing the "Test Print" cards.
Changes
As expected with a 20-year gap between sets, the new 2026 cards have been noted to have some differences. The comic-con cards, detailed below appear to have "Skill" on the second stats title rather than the original Agility. Though information has been requested it is not known why this change was made, however it does not appear to be on Retroduction cards and appears to be a niche edit for the Comic-Con Cruise cards only.
The second major design change is the rear of the cards. Rather than having the 2006 style time-vortex, the new background for the cards is more in keeping with current packaging and theming using the "Disney + BBC" nebula style background and the new Doctor Who Logo. This adds more colour to the backing of the cards than the original cards. Though the "BATTLES IN TIME" logo is identical to the original design.
Though we have only seen the Retroduction cards, the other change is the foil the cards are printed on. Rather than plain silver foil, these cards have a "shimmer" effect and feel far more premium than the original cards.
Comic Con Cruise 2026
In November 2025, it was announced that Comic Con would be on the water with "Comic-Con: The Cruise Vol.2" in 2026. Though there is limited information, reviewing the comiconthecruise website, there was a Doctor Who panel featuring Alex Kingston and Arthur Darvill. With this, there were exclusive cards given away, exclusive only to the cruise and featuring River Song and Rory Williams played by the respective actors at the panel. These cards do not appear to be part of the 80 card Retroduction release, and much like Dalek vs Cybermen or Adventurer cards, appear to be their own miniature set.
These cards appear to have "C01" and "C02" on the top left and the card set is out of "002" rather than "080". This marks the first time, Battles in Time cards would have unique cards limited only to those who have attended events. These cards also do not have rounded corners as per other Battles in Time cards.
Retroduction Scanned Cards:
Retroduction Test Print Scanned Cards:
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