VMAX Rising (S1a): English Equivalent Rebel Clash and Sword and Shield (2026)
By Dexhaul Team · October 15, 2026 · 6 min read
VMAX Rising (S1a) has no single English equivalent. The Japanese set released February 7, 2020, and its 70 cards were distributed across two separate English releases: approximately 40% entered the Sword and Shield base set (SWSH01, released the same day), while the remaining 60% appeared in Rebel Clash (SWSH02), which followed three months later on May 1, 2020.
This split is the defining fact about S1a. If you are searching for the Japanese source of a specific Rebel Clash card, the answer may be VMAX Rising rather than S2 Rebellion Crash.
The companion Japanese set, Rebellion Crash (S2), is technically the direct Japanese equivalent of Rebel Clash. But S1a fed that same English set first.
VMAX Rising also holds a milestone: it was the first Japanese set to introduce the VMAX mechanic, ahead of any English release.
On this page 6 sections
Set mapping at a glance
| Japanese set | Set code | JP release | English set(s) | EN release | Cards in JP set |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VMAX Rising | S1a | February 7, 2020 | Sword and Shield (SWSH01) and Rebel Clash (SWSH02) | Feb 7, 2020 (SWSH01); May 1, 2020 (SWSH02) | 70 |
| Rebellion Crash | S2 | March 6, 2020 | Rebel Clash (SWSH02) | May 1, 2020 | 96 |
| Sword and Shield base (S1W/S1H) | S1W / S1H | January 10, 2020 | Sword and Shield (SWSH01) | February 7, 2020 | 116 combined |
Sources: Limitless TCG (S1a card list); Serebii VMAX Rising set page; official Rebel Clash product page.
What's different in the box
| Format | Cards per pack | Packs per booster box | MSRP per pack | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP VMAX Rising (S1a) | 5 | 30 | ¥165 (approx. $1.20 USD at retail) | Japanese |
| EN Sword and Shield (SWSH01) | 10 | 36 | $3.99 USD | English |
| EN Rebel Clash (SWSH02) | 10 | 36 | $3.99 USD | English |
The JP pack format puts 5 cards in each pack versus 10 in an English pack. Japanese packs are smaller physically, with thinner card stock than later eras. The reverse holo and RRR rare print quality from this era is considered strong by graders, and PSA and BGS both accept Japanese S1a cards.
Key S1a cards and their English homes
The full S1a card list and their English set placements are on Limitless TCG. These are the most searched S1a cards and where each appeared in English:
| Card (S1a number) | English set | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Inteleon VMAX (023/070) | Rebel Clash (SWSH02) | Starter Pokémon VMAX; RRR rarity in JP |
| Rillaboom VMAX (003/070) | Rebel Clash (SWSH02) | Starter Pokémon VMAX; RRR rarity in JP |
| Cinderace VMAX (013/070) | Rebel Clash (SWSH02) | Starter Pokémon VMAX; RRR rarity in JP |
| Toxtricity VMAX (028/070) | Rebel Clash (SWSH02) | Unique Amped form in EN; RRR in JP |
| Butterfree V (017/070) | Sword and Shield base (SWSH01) | V card; part of the base set rollout |
The three Galar Starter Pokémon VMAXs, including Inteleon VMAX, all fell into Rebel Clash. That is the clearest pattern in the split: S1a's VMAX cards largely landed in the second English set, while earlier V-stage and supporting Pokémon were spread across both.
Japanese or English: which to buy
Price per pack
At MSRP, a JP S1a pack cost ¥165 (roughly $1.10–1.20 USD in early 2020). Import sellers today list single S1a packs from around $24–$30 USD each, observed October 15, 2026. That puts the import price well above the original JP retail.
By contrast, English Rebel Clash booster packs are available from around $10–$14 USD per pack from independent sellers, observed October 15, 2026. For set completion, the EN route is more cost-efficient. For a specific RRR VMAX pull in Japanese text, the import market is the only path.
Tournament legality
Japanese S1a cards are not Standard-legal in any current English-language tournament format. They were Standard-legal in Japanese play from February 2020 until rotating out.
Most local English-language tournament organizers require English-language cards or a verified translated decklist. If your goal is to play competitively, the English versions from Rebel Clash and Sword and Shield base are the correct purchase.
Language and grading
S1a cards are fully in Japanese. Collector appeal is real: the RRR full-art VMAXs in JP have a distinct look from their EN counterparts.
Grading houses, including PSA and BGS, accept Japanese S1a cards. A PSA 10 JP Inteleon VMAX carries different market value from the EN Rebel Clash version. If grading is your goal, confirm the submission requirements and population reports at PSA before purchasing.
Importing S1a: what to expect
Import sellers carry S1a in individual packs, multi-pack lots, and sealed booster boxes. Single packs let you pull specific cards without committing to a box.
Multi-pack sets (five packs is the most common import configuration) reduce per-pack cost slightly. A sealed booster box is rare at this age and priced at a significant premium, observed above $900 USD from specialty importers in October 2026.
Check that the listing specifies S1a explicitly, not just "VMAX Rising." The Korean version of VMAX Rising also exists and is a distinct product with different artwork framing. Confirm the listing says Japanese (ja/JP) before purchasing.
For the Q4 gift season, the VMAX Rising Starter VMAXs are a popular single-card gift for Galar-era collectors. The full set and collection context for Sword and Shield TCG is covered in our Sword and Shield SWSH01 guide and the Rebel Clash SWSH02 guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the English equivalent of VMAX Rising?
There is no single equivalent. S1a VMAX Rising split across two English sets: approximately 40% into Sword and Shield base set (SWSH01, February 7, 2020) and approximately 60% into Rebel Clash (SWSH02, May 1, 2020). The companion set S2 Rebellion Crash (March 6, 2020) is the other JP source of Rebel Clash.
Which English set has the VMAX Rising Starter VMAXs?
Rillaboom VMAX, Cinderace VMAX, and Inteleon VMAX, all from S1a, appeared in English Rebel Clash (SWSH02). Rebel Clash released May 1, 2020, three months after the Japanese set.
Is VMAX Rising worth importing?
Import prices for single S1a packs in 2026 run $24–$30 USD each, which is well above the original JP retail price. The Japanese RRR full-art VMAXs have distinct collector appeal and grade separately from the English versions. For set completion on a budget, the English Rebel Clash and Sword and Shield base packs are more cost-effective at current prices.
Why did S1a split across two English sets?
The Pokémon Company International's localization schedule for the Sword and Shield era produced English sets on a roughly quarterly basis, while Japan released smaller, more frequent sets. S1a released on the same day as the EN base set, but the base set had already been finalized. The S1a cards that didn't make the EN base set's cut were folded into Rebel Clash, the next scheduled English release.
Can I use Japanese S1a cards in English tournaments?
No, not in Standard format play. Japanese cards are only legal in tournament formats that explicitly allow them, which most English-language local and regional events do not. Check the official Pokémon Tournament Rules for the current policy before bringing JP cards to a sanctioned event.
Browse Japanese import Pokémon TCG products, including VMAX Rising packs and Sword and Shield era sets, at DexHaul's Japanese cards collection. DexHaul is independent and unofficial, not affiliated with The Pokémon Company.
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