Japanese ex Starter Sets: Metagross vs Grimmsnarl (2026)

Japan got two trainer-character starter decks on Feb 21, 2025 that never crossed into English. Neither ever will as a sealed product.

SVOD (Steven's Beldum & Metagross ex) and SVOM (Marnie's Morpeko & Grimmsnarl ex) are 60-card pre-constructed decks released on the same date, confirmed Feb 21, 2025 on Limitless TCG. No English equivalent exists for either product. The trainer cards inside them, however, went on to appear as Special Art Rare (SAR) variants in the Japanese M2a (Mega Dream ex, Nov 28, 2025) and then in English Ascended Heroes (Jan 30, 2026).

That gap matters for buyers. You can own Steven Stone with Metagross ex and Marnie with Grimmsnarl ex as game-ready cards from the starter decks at $19–50, or as premium SAR singles from M2a at $25–100+. This guide explains what each option gives you.

At a glance: SVOD vs SVOM

Both decks launched simultaneously and share the same accessories. The split is entirely in which trainer and Pokémon type theme each covers. See the full Japanese Pokémon sets and English equivalents hub for where these sit in the broader S&V release timeline.

What comes in each box

Japanese ex Starter Sets follow the same format as the earlier Battle Master Decks (SVJL/SVJP from May 2024, covered in our Charizard ex vs Chien-Pao ex starter comparison). Each box contains a complete 60-card deck built around its signature trainer pair, a damage counter sheet, a commemorative coin, and a player's guide booklet.

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The trainer card connection: starter promos vs M2a SARs

These starter decks were the first products to feature Steven Stone and Marnie as trainer-character cards paired with their signature Pokémon in the Scarlet & Violet era. The promo versions in the decks are different cards from the premium Special Art Rare (SAR) variants that came 9 months later.

M2a (Mega Dream ex) released Nov 28, 2025 in Japan and included Steven's Metagross ex at 245/193 SAR and Marnie's Grimmsnarl ex at 243/193 SAR, confirmed on Limitless TCG. Those cards then went to English Ascended Heroes on Jan 30, 2026. For full details on that mapping, see our M2a English equivalent guide.

Pokemon Starter Deck Set: Marnie's Morpeko & Grimmsnarl ex / Steven's Beldum & Metagross ex

$14.67 USD

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The SAR singles: what the premium cards look like

The M2a SAR versions are the collector cards for these character pairings. They carry full-art illustrations of each trainer alongside their Pokémon, making them distinct objects from the smaller deck promo versions.

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Marnie's Grimmsnarl ex SAR 243/193 Mega Dream ex, Pokemon TCG Japanese

$32.67 USD

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Japanese starter deck or English SAR: how to decide

Price per card

A single SVOD or SVOM starter deck runs $19–50 USD from import shops (observed Oct 15, 2026). That price gets you the full 60-card playable deck plus accessories. The standalone M2a SAR singles cost $25–77 USD each for the same two trainer characters, without the deck.

The starter set is the budget path if you want to play the deck. The M2a SAR is the collector path if you want the premium artwork version for a binder or grading.

Play legality

Japanese cards are legal in the Expanded format (any card with an official Japanese-language print). They are not legal in Standard unless the same card number appears in an English set. The starter deck promo versions do not have English equivalents, so they are Expanded-only.

The M2a SAR numbers (245/193 and 243/193) have English prints in Ascended Heroes, making those specific cards Standard-legal.

Language and grading

Japanese cards are graded separately from English by PSA and CGC. Japanese prints often receive higher grades due to tighter factory quality control.

If grading the SAR version is your goal, the M2a Japanese print is the correct product. The starter deck promos can also be graded but are less frequently submitted.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the English equivalent of SVOD and SVOM?

There is no English equivalent for either starter set. Both SVOD (Steven's Beldum & Metagross ex) and SVOM (Marnie's Morpeko & Grimmsnarl ex) are Japanese-exclusive products. The featured trainer cards inside did appear later in English Ascended Heroes (Jan 30, 2026) as SAR variants.

When did the Japanese SVOD and SVOM starter sets release?

Both released simultaneously on Feb 21, 2025, per Limitless TCG.

Are the starter deck promos the same cards as the M2a SARs?

No. The promo versions in the starter decks carry different numbering and a different illustration style from the Special Art Rare versions in M2a (245/193 Steven's Metagross ex and 243/193 Marnie's Grimmsnarl ex). They are separate cards featuring the same character pairings.

Can I play SVOD or SVOM cards in the English TCG?

Japanese cards are legal in Expanded. The starter deck promo versions do not have Standard-legal English prints, so they are Expanded-only. The M2a SAR versions have English equivalents in Ascended Heroes, making them Standard-legal.

Where can I buy these Japanese starter sets?

Multiple independent import shops carry both products. You can browse in-stock listings from independent sellers at DexHaul's Japanese cards collection.