Blog · Pokémon TCG
Collection Sword & Shield (S1, 2019): English Equivalent
By Dexhaul Team · October 21, 2026 · 5 min read
Japan's Collection Sword (S1W) and Collection Shield (S1H) went on sale December 6, 2019, sixty-three days before the English Sword and Shield base set arrived on February 7, 2020. Unlike the English release, the Japanese sets are two separate products, each anchored to a different Legendary Pokémon.
That split matters most to collectors. Zacian V is exclusive to Collection Sword; Zamazenta V is exclusive to Collection Shield. Import buyers who want both iconic Legendary V cards need a box from each set. For a full breakdown of how every Sword and Shield era Japanese set maps to English, see the complete Japanese-to-English set guide.
Set at a glance
| Japanese set | Code | JP release | English equivalent | EN release | JP card count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collection Sword | S1W | Dec 6, 2019 | Sword & Shield base set | Feb 7, 2020 | 68 cards |
| Collection Shield | S1H | Dec 6, 2019 | Sword & Shield base set | Feb 7, 2020 | 68 cards |
Both sets launched on the same day and carry overlapping Galar Pokémon, but each is built around its respective game's Legendary. Release dates verified on Limitless TCG (S1W) and Limitless TCG (S1H); English launch date per pokemon.com.
On this page 5 sections
What's different in the box
The English Sword and Shield release is meaningfully larger than either Japanese set on its own. Wizards handed off TCG production to The Pokémon Company International for this generation, and the EN set combines card pools from both S1W and S1H along with additional cards not present in either original Japanese release. You get the full Galar regional lineup in a single product.
Japanese packs contain 5 cards each. English packs contain 10. A Japanese Collection Sword booster box holds 30 packs (150 cards per box); an English booster box holds 36 packs.
| Feature | Collection Sword / Shield (JP) | Sword & Shield base set (EN) |
|---|---|---|
| Cards per pack | 5 | 10 |
| Packs per booster box | 30 | 36 |
| Cards per booster box | 150 | 360 |
| Set size | 68 cards each | Combined, larger set |
| Legendary V cards | One per set (Zacian or Zamazenta) | Both in a single set |
| Language | Japanese | English |
| Tournament legal (EN organised play) | No | Yes |
Card crosswalk: what's in each set
The Legendary V cards are the clearest dividing line. Zacian V, the box art Legendary for Pokémon Sword, appears only in Collection Sword (S1W). Zamazenta V, the box art Legendary for Pokémon Shield, appears only in Collection Shield (S1H). Every card from both sets is present in the English release, so English packs give access to both without choosing a side.
| Card | Japanese set | In EN Sword & Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Zacian V | Collection Sword (S1W) | Yes |
| Zacian V Full Art | Collection Sword (S1W) | Yes |
| Zamazenta V | Collection Shield (S1H) | Yes |
| Zamazenta V Full Art | Collection Shield (S1H) | Yes |
| Zacian (non-V) | Collection Sword (S1W) | Yes |
| Zamazenta (non-V) | Collection Shield (S1H) | Yes |
The full card lists for both sets are available on Limitless TCG (S1W) and Limitless TCG (S1H). Later Sword and Shield era sets such as Silver Lance and Jet-Black Spirit followed a similar split format.
Japanese or English?
Price
Japanese packs from Collection Sword and Collection Shield sit at lower per-pack prices than English Sword and Shield packs from the same era. The practical catch: you need both JP sets to access the same card pool that a single English booster box provides. Observed prices from independent shops on October 21, 2026: S1W booster packs from £9.99; S1H booster packs from £11.99; S1W booster boxes from £299.99; S1H booster boxes from $141.99 USD.
Legality
Japanese cards are not tournament-legal in English-language Pokémon organised play events. If your goal is competitive play, the English printing is the only option. For collecting, grading, or casual home play, language has no impact on how the card functions.
Language
Collection Sword and Collection Shield cards are printed entirely in Japanese, with no English text on the card face. Experienced Pokémon TCG collectors can read them from context (card layout, energy symbols, and artwork are identical across languages), but newer collectors may find the English printing easier to use day to day.
Grading
PSA, Beckett, and CGC all grade Japanese Pokémon cards at the same condition standards as English cards. Language carries no grade penalty. Japanese first-edition-era cards occasionally attract a niche secondary market premium at gem-mint grades due to lower circulation outside Japan, though this varies by card and market conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Is Collection Sword the same as the English Sword and Shield base set?
Close, but not identical. Collection Sword (S1W) is one of the primary Japanese source sets, but the English release draws from both S1W and S1H and adds further cards not present in either Japanese set. The two are related, but the English version is noticeably larger and gives you both Legendary V cards in a single product.
Can I play Japanese Collection Sword cards in English tournaments?
No. Only cards printed in your region's official tournament language are legal for Pokémon organised play. Japanese cards are for collecting, grading, and casual play.
How many cards are in Collection Sword (S1W)?
68 cards, as confirmed on Limitless TCG. Collection Shield (S1H) also contains 68 cards.
Do I need both Collection Sword and Collection Shield?
Only if you want both Legendary V cards in Japanese. Zacian V is exclusive to Collection Sword (S1W); Zamazenta V is exclusive to Collection Shield (S1H). A single English booster box includes both, so it is the more straightforward choice if you want the complete Legendary pair from one purchase.
Is the Japanese Sword set a good gift idea?
Yes, for a collector who enjoys Japanese-language cards or wants the original printing. For a player who needs tournament-legal cards, the English version is the more practical gift. For storage options once cards are opened, see the Pokémon TCG binders guide.
Browse every in-stock Collection Sword and Collection Shield listing from independent shops at DexHaul's Japanese TCG collection. Stock and prices update as shops add new listings, so check back if a set is unavailable today.
Catch 'em all
More Japanese Sword and Shield listings from independent shops worldwide.