Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott in 2026: How to Start Collecting the Unova Starters
By Dexhaul Team · August 27, 2026
The Ascended Heroes tin launches August 28, and Mega Emboar ex is the Unova starter collectors have been waiting to see headline a Western sealed product.
Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott have not always commanded shelf space. The Unova generation spent most of the post-Black-and-White era in the background of collector conversations, overshadowed by Kanto and Johto nostalgia. That has shifted in the last two years: the 2025 White Flare and Black Bolt sets gave all three starters dedicated showcase positions in a major TCG release for the first time since the original Black and White era, and the Ascended Heroes tin now places Tepig's final evolution center stage alongside Mega Feraligatr ex and Mega Meganium ex.
Here is how to approach a Unova starter collection step by step, from a $4 entry point to the full tin.
Why This Moment Matters for Unova Fans
Emboar (Pokémon no. 500) is a Fire and Fighting dual-type, the final evolution of Tepig. It has had English TCG appearances since the original Black and White set in 2011, and the Holo Rare Emboar from Black and White: Legendary Treasures is among the most recognized cards from that era.
For most of the Sword and Shield and early Scarlet and Violet period, Emboar did not headline any major English sealed product.
The Ascended Heroes tin changes that. Inside each box: one foil promo card featuring Mega Emboar ex, one oversize lenticular card (a format with no English-product precedent for Emboar specifically), and four booster packs. The lenticular card alone makes this the most substantial showcase Emboar has received in an English product since the XY era.
The Ascended Heroes tin is also notable for which three characters it groups together: all three are Johto or Unova Mega Evolution starters, not the usual Kanto trio. This is a rare framing for a Western product, and it is part of why Feraligatr, Meganium, and Emboar guides are generating more collector interest this week than any of those characters typically does alone.
Step One: Start with a Plush
If you are new to collecting the Unova starters, the Pokémon fit plush line is the obvious first move. Fit plush are palm-sized weighted figures, designed to sit upright without a stand. Every main-series starter has a fit plush, and all three Unova starters are available from independent importers right now.
The Snivy All Star Collection plush (PP238, San-Ei Boeki) runs around $19-$25 depending on the seller. Snivy's design translates well to this format: the leaf-collar detail and narrow silhouette hold their shape at small scale. The All Star Collection version is the most widely available, and it is the safest pick for a first Snivy plush.
Oshawott's fit plush sits at $17 from Ichiba Japan, making it the cheapest of the three starter plush entries. There is also a Squishmallows version (a 10-inch soft format at $21.99) for collectors who prefer that aesthetic. Both are in stock from independent sellers right now.
Tepig's 30th Anniversary Ichiban-Kuji plush ($33) is the standout pick for that starter: it is a larger, higher-detail figure tied to the Japanese 30th Anniversary campaign, and it has more shelf presence than the standard fit plush. For a lower entry point on Tepig, Bandai's quick-snap model kit ($8.95) delivers a poseable figure at minimal cost with no glue required.
Step Two: Target the Right TCG Cards
The Unova starters have a long TCG history, but not all of it is equally worthwhile for collectors. Two eras stand out.
The Black and White era (2011-2013) is where Emboar earned its best-known English cards. The Holo Rare Emboar from Black and White: Legendary Treasures (27/113) still circulates at accessible prices and is a natural anchor for a Unova TCG collection. Legendary Treasures was one of the more complete Unova-era English sets, drawing cards from across the Black and White series, and a few singles from this set build a thematic display without requiring expensive sealed product.
The 2025 White Flare and Black Bolt sets reintroduced the Unova starters in a much more prominent way. Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott all received dedicated cards, with Oshawott's White Flare card (102/086 or 105/086 in the showcase slot) reaching $69-$93 depending on condition. This is notable: it is the first time Oshawott has held a premium foil position in a major modern release.
For a budget introduction to the Unova starters in TCG form, the Unova Jumbo First Partner Set ($4) is the right place to start. It is a set of three oversize promo cards covering Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott, one for each starter, at a price point that makes sense before you commit to individual singles or sealed boxes.
Step Three: The Sealed Product Decision
There are three current sealed options worth knowing if you want the Unova starters represented in a box product.
Mega Emboar ex Ascended Heroes Tin
The Ascended Heroes tin ($57.99-$89.95 CAD depending on the seller) is the most timely option. It contains the Mega Emboar ex foil promo, an oversize lenticular card, and four booster packs from the Mega Evolution set family.
If you want a single sealed product that represents Emboar's current collector moment, this is it. Sellers are live with listings now ahead of the August 28 launch date, and prices are consistent across most regions at the listed MSRP range.
Unova Heavy Hitters Premium Collection
If you want depth on the 2025 Scarlet and Violet Unova sets, the Unova Heavy Hitters Premium Collection ($184) bundles both Black Bolt and White Flare content. These are the sets that gave Oshawott and Snivy their most prominent modern showcase positions. The premium collection is the right option if you are building around the 2025 Unova TCG era rather than the Mega Evolution product line.
Unova Poster Collection
The Unova Poster Collection ($40-$51) is the mid-range path: a poster-sized lenticular card plus booster packs from the Black Bolt and White Flare sets. It is a strong display piece at a fraction of the Premium Collection price, and it works as a standalone display item or as a complement to individual singles.
None of these three products overlap: the Ascended Heroes tin is about Mega Emboar ex, the Heavy Hitters collection covers the full 2025 Unova starter TCG range, and the Poster Collection delivers oversized art at a reasonable cost.
How to Put It Together
A complete Unova starter collection in 2026 does not require buying everything at once. Start with a fit plush for the starter you connect with most ($17-$25), add the Jumbo First Partner promo set ($4) for a TCG anchor, then decide whether the Ascended Heroes tin or a singles-focused approach fits your budget and display goals.
The one timing consideration is real: the Ascended Heroes tin launches August 28, and pre-release prices are currently consistent with MSRP. If the Mega Emboar ex tin is on your list, ordering through a confirmed seller now is the straightforward move before launch-day demand settles.
Browse current Unova starter listings from independent shops at DexHaul. DexHaul is independent and unofficial, not affiliated with The Pokémon Company or Nintendo.