Embedded Files
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. It is unknown what the set will consist of, however looking at the promotional art, it appears as though there will be 80 cards in the Retroduction set with all but 8 being reprints.
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.
Promotional image used on the announcement of Battles in Time return on social media platforms.
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.
What can be established however, is that there will be a collectors set, pictured left, which include possibly four 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.
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