Ancient Koraidon ex Starter Deck & Build Set: Japanese Import Guide (2026)
By Dexhaul Team · October 12, 2026 · 6 min read
There is no English version of these two Japanese decks.
The Ancient Koraidon ex Starter Deck & Build Set (SVHK) and its partner set, the Future Miraidon ex Starter Deck & Build Set (SVHM), launched in Japan on January 26, 2024, the same day as Wild Force (SV5K) and Cyber Judge (SV5M). The closest Western products are the ex Battle Decks, but those are 60-card prebuilts. The Starter Deck & Build Set format is a Japanese institution: a full 228-card product designed to get two players into competitive-level decks at the same time.
If you play with a Japanese-speaking friend, want these exclusive Koraidon ex and Miraidon ex promos, or simply prefer the Ancient/Future archetype cards at a lower per-card entry cost, this is the guide for you.
At a glance
| SVHK (Koraidon ex) | SVHM (Miraidon ex) | EN Battle Deck equivalent | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ancient Koraidon ex Starter Deck & Build Set | Future Miraidon ex Starter Deck & Build Set | No direct EN release |
| Set code | SVHK | SVHM | N/A |
| JP release | January 26, 2024 | January 26, 2024 | N/A |
| Unique card designs | 53 (per Limitless TCG) | 53 (per Limitless TCG) | Varies by title |
| Theme alignment | Ancient (Scarlet) | Future (Violet) | N/A |
| Sold alongside | Wild Force (SV5K) | Cyber Judge (SV5M) | N/A |
On this page 8 sections
What the Build Set format actually includes
The "Starter Deck & Build Set" (スターターデッキ＆ビルドセット) is a format unique to Japanese releases. It ships with a complete 60-card prebuilt deck plus a second set of cards: the "build" portion. Together they give you enough material for two separate 60-card decks once you understand how to modify the starter deck.
That is the key difference from a Western ex Battle Deck. A standard EN Battle Deck gives one player 60 cards ready to shuffle and play.
The Japanese Build Set gives one player 60 cards to play immediately and enough extra cards to construct a second deck at a later stage. The total card count reaches 228 cards.
The SVHK deck runs an Ancient archetype built around Koraidon ex, a Fighting-type attacker. The SVHM deck is the mirror: a Future archetype built around Miraidon ex, a Lightning-type attacker. Both archetypes lean into the Scarlet/Violet-era Ancient and Future mechanic, which rewards running cards with the same trait.
Both sets launched the same day as the Wild Force and Cyber Judge booster boxes: January 26, 2024 in Japan. If you have read the Wild Force vs Cyber Judge import guide, the theme alignment is the same, SVHK for Scarlet/Ancient, SVHM for Violet/Future.
What is different in these boxes versus a booster set
| Feature | SVHK / SVHM Build Set | Wild Force / Cyber Judge booster box |
|---|---|---|
| Card count | 228 cards (fixed) | 30 packs × 5 cards = 150 cards (random) |
| Guaranteed playable deck | Yes: 60-card prebuilt included | No: booster packs only |
| Exclusive set code prints | Yes: SVHK/SVHM exclusive card numbers | No: all prints are SV5K/SV5M numbered |
| Tournament legality (JP) | Yes: standard-legal as of release | Yes |
| EN equivalent product | None | Temporal Forces (SV5, Mar 22, 2024) |
The critical collector point: the Koraidon ex card printed inside SVHK carries the SVHK set code and number. It is a different print than the Koraidon ex cards found in Wild Force packs. Collectors who want every Koraidon ex print must acquire the Build Set version separately from any booster pulls.
Key card crosswalk: top cards and their set numbers
Both sets use their own card numbering. The cards below are the headline pulls and deck anchors across SVHK and SVHM, each listed with the set code and approximate card position for easy searching in Limitless TCG.
| Card name | Set | Type | Role in deck | EN equivalent print? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koraidon ex | SVHK | Fighting | Main attacker | No (SVHK-exclusive print) |
| Miraidon ex | SVHM | Lightning | Main attacker | No (SVHM-exclusive print) |
| Koraidon (Basic) | SVHK | Fighting | Evolution chain base | No (SVHK-exclusive print) |
| Miraidon (Basic) | SVHM | Lightning | Evolution chain base | No (SVHM-exclusive print) |
| Support Trainers | Both sets | Trainer | Draw/search engine | Some overlap with EN SV sets |
Starter Deck & Build Set Future Miraidon ex Pokémon Card Game Scarlet & Violet
$26.00 USD observed October 12, 2026
Japanese or English: how to decide
Price per card
At import prices observed in October 2026, the SVHK Build Set runs from around $18 to $40 USD depending on shipping origin and format. There is no English-market MSRP because no EN release exists.
The closest EN comparison is a pair of ex Battle Decks at $9.99 each. Two EN Battle Decks give 120 cards for $19.98.
The Japanese Build Set gives 228 cards for roughly the same import price. The tradeoff is language and archetype: you are locked into Ancient or Future, not a themed EN deck.
Play legality
Both SVHK and SVHM are legal for Official Championship Series events held in Japan. Outside Japan, English-language formats use only English cards.
Players in multilingual local leagues often use Japanese cards freely. Check your venue's policy before competing in any sanctioned event.
Language barrier
All card text in SVHK and SVHM is written in Japanese. The card art is identical to the equivalent EN cards.
The Limitless TCG SVHK card list provides English translations for every card. If you are comfortable referencing translations for Trainer effects, the language barrier is manageable. Beginners who have not memorised common Trainer effects may find casual play harder.
Grading
Japanese cards often come from tighter print runs with better average centering. PSA, BGS, and CGC all accept Japanese cards. Because the SVHK and SVHM prints have no EN equivalent, their population reports are small, which affects graded-copy sale prices.
Pokemon Japanese TCG: Ancient Koraidon ex Starter Deck & Build Set
S$35.00 SGD observed October 12, 2026
Who should buy and who should skip
Buy SVHK for the exclusive Koraidon ex print, Japanese Gym-event Ancient archetype play, or as a two-player learning kit for the Scarlet & Violet era.
Buy SVHM for the same reasons on the Violet/Future side.
Skip both if you play only EN-regulated events or prefer English card text. The Wild Force and Cyber Judge booster boxes (import guide here) serve the random-pack experience better. For a comparison of Battle Deck-style products, see the Battle Deck vs League Battle Deck guide.
Q4 gift angle
The SVHK and SVHM Build Sets work as a gift for a Pokémon-playing adult who collects Japanese prints. The pitch is simple: a Koraidon ex or Miraidon ex that does not exist in English. See the 2026 holiday gift guide for more ideas this season.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an English equivalent of the Ancient Koraidon ex Starter Deck & Build Set?
No. The SVHK and SVHM sets were never released in English. The closest English product with a similar playstyle is the Koraidon ex or Miraidon ex league-level Battle Deck, but that is a 60-card EN-only release with different card prints.
Do SVHK and SVHM cards work in English play events?
No. English Pokémon Play events use English cards only. These sets are legal for Japanese-format events in Japan and casual play everywhere.
What does the "Build Set" part mean?
Extra cards beyond the 60-card starter deck. Combined with the starter cards, you have enough to construct a second 60-card deck, totalling 228 cards in the full box.
Are SVHK and SVHM worth collecting for the exclusive prints?
If you collect every Koraidon ex or Miraidon ex print, yes. These SVHK and SVHM prints have unique set codes and cannot be pulled from Wild Force or Cyber Judge packs.
When did these sets release in Japan?
January 26, 2024, the same day as Wild Force (SV5K) and Cyber Judge (SV5M), per Limitless TCG.
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