Arceus VSTAR Ultra Premium Collection (2022): Contents and MSRP
By Dexhaul Team · October 13, 2026 · 6 min read
The Pokémon TCG: Arceus VSTAR Ultra-Premium Collection contains 15 Brilliant Stars booster packs, two die-cast metal promo cards (Arceus V and Arceus VSTAR), a full-size Arceus VSTAR playmat, metal damage counter dice, and a metal coin. It launched November 4, 2022, per the official Pokémon product gallery, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $149.99 USD. Sealed copies found on independent shops in October 2026 range from around $380 to over $500.
Two things make this UPC stand out from other boxed products in the Sword & Shield era. The metal promo cards are genuine die-cast metal, not foil treatments, and exist nowhere else in the TCG lineup. And the 15 included packs are all from Brilliant Stars (SWSH09), a set that launched in February 2022 and featured Arceus VSTAR as its flagship card.
On this page 6 sections
What's Inside the Arceus VSTAR Ultra-Premium Collection
Here is the full contents list, sourced from the official Pokémon product page.
| Item | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pokémon TCG booster packs | 15 | Brilliant Stars (SWSH09), released Feb 25, 2022 |
| Metal Arceus V promo card | 1 | Die-cast metal; not found in booster packs |
| Metal Arceus VSTAR promo card | 1 | Die-cast metal; VSTAR Power: Star Birth |
| Full-size playmat | 1 | Arceus VSTAR artwork |
| Metal damage counter dice | Set | Matches the metal coin and card aesthetic |
| Metal coin | 1 | Premium flip coin for gameplay |
The die-cast metal promos deserve a closer look. Arceus VSTAR was one of the most played cards in the Sword & Shield era standard format, with its VSTAR Power "Star Birth" acting as a tutor for any two cards in your deck. A metal version of that card is a genuinely functional collector piece, not just decorative.
There is one detail worth knowing about the booster packs. When this UPC launched in November 2022, Brilliant Stars was already eight months old: Lost Origin (SWSH11) had released in September 2022, and Silver Tempest followed just one week after the UPC on November 11. Buyers picking up the Arceus VSTAR UPC at launch were getting pulls from a mature set pool, not the newest expansion on shelves.
MSRP and Price Per Pack
The $149.99 USD launch MSRP works out to exactly $10.00 per Brilliant Stars pack. For comparison, a standard Brilliant Stars Elite Trainer Box launched at around $49.99 USD for eight packs, putting the ETB cost at roughly $6.25 per pack. The premium in the UPC goes toward the metal promos, playmat, and accessories, not toward better booster pack value.
| Product | MSRP (launch) | Packs | Cost per pack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arceus VSTAR Ultra-Premium Collection | $149.99 USD | 15 (Brilliant Stars) | ~$10.00 |
| Brilliant Stars Elite Trainer Box | ~$49.99 USD | 8 | ~$6.25 |
Sealed secondary market prices observed in October 2026 reflect significant premiums above that original MSRP. Independent shops are listing sealed UPCs anywhere from the low-$300s to over $500, with most falling in the $380–$510 range. That spread is wide because condition, seller reputation, and regional availability all vary.
How It Compares to Other UPCs
The Arceus VSTAR UPC sits in the middle of the Sword & Shield era Ultra-Premium Collection lineup. For a broader look at how UPCs stack up against Elite Trainer Boxes on value and content, see the ETB vs UPC comparison guide. For the Charizard-era SWSH UPC, the Crown Zenith vs Charizard UPC comparison covers that product in detail.
| Feature | Arceus VSTAR UPC (2022) | Standard ETB (same era) |
|---|---|---|
| Booster packs | 15 (Brilliant Stars) | 8 (set varies) |
| Promo cards | 2 die-cast metal promos | 1 foil promo |
| Playmat | Full-size included | Not included |
| Accessories | Metal coin, metal dice | Plastic dice, standard coin |
| Launch MSRP | $149.99 USD | ~$49.99 USD |
| Retail channel | GameStop exclusive (launch) | Wide release |
The GameStop exclusivity at launch is a less-known detail. Most Pokémon TCG Ultra-Premium Collections go through mass retail and the Pokémon Center. The Arceus VSTAR UPC launched as a GameStop-exclusive SKU, which kept initial distribution narrower than typical UPC releases.
Release Timeline
The product connects directly to the Brilliant Stars set lifecycle, so understanding the dates helps frame what you are buying.
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| February 25, 2022 | Brilliant Stars (SWSH09) launches | pokemon.com |
| November 4, 2022 | Arceus VSTAR UPC launches (GameStop exclusive) | pokemon.com |
| November 11, 2022 | Silver Tempest (SWSH12) launches | pkmncards.com |
The one-week gap between the UPC launch and Silver Tempest's release is relevant for buyers today. If someone purchased the Arceus VSTAR UPC new on November 4, 2022, they were holding Brilliant Stars packs just days before an entirely new set replaced it on shelves.
Who Should Buy It, and Who Should Skip It
Buy this UPC if you want the die-cast metal Arceus V and Arceus VSTAR promos as display pieces, or if you are completing a Sword & Shield era sealed collection. The playmat is full-size and usable at a tournament table. The metal accessories are a genuine step up from the plastic dice and standard coin in a regular ETB.
Skip it if your goal is pulling from the current set rotation. Brilliant Stars left the standard format in 2023, and sealed product from a retired set costs a premium over buying loose packs today. If you just need Brilliant Stars booster packs, buying loose packs or a standard Brilliant Stars ETB will cost considerably less per pack than a sealed UPC at secondary market prices.
Q4 gifting angle
For serious Pokémon TCG collectors on your gift list, a sealed Arceus VSTAR Ultra-Premium Collection is a notable find: the metal promos are unique, and sealed SWSH-era UPCs are harder to find through regular retail. For a broader look at sealed Pokémon collection boxes across every price point this season, visit the holiday gift guide. DexHaul is independent and unofficial, not affiliated with The Pokémon Company.
Frequently Asked Questions
What booster packs are in the Arceus VSTAR Ultra-Premium Collection?
The Arceus VSTAR UPC contains 15 Brilliant Stars (SWSH09) booster packs, per the official Pokémon product gallery. Brilliant Stars launched February 25, 2022 and featured Arceus VSTAR as its flagship card.
What is the original MSRP of the Arceus VSTAR Ultra-Premium Collection?
The launch MSRP was $149.99 USD. Secondary market prices in October 2026 are significantly higher, typically ranging from around $380 to over $500 across independent shops.
Are the Arceus V and Arceus VSTAR promos only in this product?
Yes. The die-cast metal versions of Arceus V and Arceus VSTAR are exclusive to this Ultra-Premium Collection and are not available in any booster pack or other standard product.
Was the Arceus VSTAR UPC a GameStop exclusive?
It launched as a GameStop exclusive on November 4, 2022, which limited initial availability compared to most Pokémon TCG products that go through wider retail distribution.
Is there a difference between the Arceus VSTAR Ultra-Premium Collection and the Arceus VSTAR Premium Collection?
Yes: these are two different products. The Ultra-Premium Collection (UPC) includes 15 packs, a playmat, and metal accessories. The Premium Collection is a smaller, lower-priced product with fewer packs and no playmat or metal promos.
Browse sealed collection boxes from Pokémon TCG at dexhaul.com/collections/tcg/collection-boxes, where independent shops list everything from current-set releases to sealed vintage product.
Catch 'em all
More Arceus VSTAR Ultra-Premium Collection listings from independent shops.