Shiny Treasure ex (SV4a) English Equivalent: Paldean Fates
By Dexhaul Team · October 9, 2026 · 6 min read
Japanese Shiny Treasure ex (SV4a) is the direct source set for English Paldean Fates. The JP set released December 1, 2023; the English counterpart followed on January 26, 2024 as Scarlet & Violet Paldean Fates (SV4.5).
About nine in ten cards from the Japanese set have a Paldean Fates print, per a full card scan on Limitless TCG. The remaining roughly 10 percent are either Japan-exclusive or appear in different English sets. If you are buying the Japanese version to collect toward an English Paldean Fates set, most cards will cross over, but a handful will not.
This guide covers the full mapping, what differs between JP and EN products, and when the Japanese import makes more sense for your collection.
On this page 5 sections
Set Overview: SV4a vs SV4.5
| JP Shiny Treasure ex (SV4a) | EN Paldean Fates (SV4.5) | |
|---|---|---|
| Set code | SV4a | PAF / SV4.5 |
| Release date | December 1, 2023 | January 26, 2024 |
| Set type | High Class Pack | Mini-set (EN-exclusive format) |
| Set size | 190 cards | 91 standard + Shiny Vault subset |
| Pack size | 10 cards | 10 cards |
| Cards mapped from JP | n/a | ~90% of SV4a cards appear in PAF |
| Retail products | Booster box (10 packs), single booster | Booster Bundle (6 packs), ETB, Pokémon Center ETB |
The JP set is a High Class Pack, so every pack carries a higher hit rate for rare cards. Serebii confirms SV4a contains 190 cards in Japan, spanning a full shiny subset alongside ex and full-art cards. The English version restructures that into 91 numbered standard cards plus a separately numbered Shiny Vault subset.
Products: What You Actually Buy
The JP booster box contains 10 packs of 10 cards each. That is 100 cards per box, with one guaranteed Shiny Rare (SR) or higher per pack according to the pack structure for SV4a High Class product. You can also buy single packs from import sellers, which is useful if you want to sample before committing to a box.
The English Paldean Fates Booster Bundle comes with six packs and one coin, retailing at the standard $29.99 USD MSRP per bundle. The Elite Trainer Box packs nine packs plus accessories. Neither EN format mirrors the JP booster box structure, so the per-pack price math differs between regions.
The EN product lineup is also wider. Pokémon Center released an exclusive ETB version and various premium collections featuring Meowscarada ex. The JP set has no direct equivalent for those: SV4a is sold only as booster product in Japan.
How the Cards Map Across
The JP set uses the Scarlet & Violet rarity system: Common (circle), Uncommon (diamond), Rare (star), Double Rare (two black stars), Ultra Rare (two silver stars), Illustration Rare (one gold star), Special Illustration Rare (two gold stars), and Hyper Rare (three gold stars).
Standard and Rare cards from SV4a carry their numbers directly into Paldean Fates. The shiny versions, labelled Shiny Rare (SR) in Japan, become the Shiny Vault subset in English, with separate numbering prefixed "SV" in the EN set. Special Illustration Rares (two gold stars, the highest rarity in SV4a) appear in PAF's Shiny Vault at the same tier.
The roughly 10 percent of cards with no Paldean Fates print are mostly trainer cards and lower-rarity reprints already in other English SV sets. A small number of JP box-exclusive promo cards have no direct EN counterpart.
The Limitless TCG SV4a card list shows every JP card alongside its English set and number. Filter for "not in English" to confirm whether a specific card you want appears in PAF or stays Japan-only before you buy.
Japanese or English: How to Choose
The right version depends entirely on why you are buying.
Price per pack
JP booster boxes have been trading at $123–$165 USD (observed October 9, 2026), which works out to $12–$16.50 per 10-card pack. English Paldean Fates Booster Bundles at $149.99 USD for six packs put the EN cost at around $25 per pack on the secondary market.
Play legality
English cards are required for officially sanctioned Pokémon tournaments in most regions. JP cards are legal in Japan and accepted at some local open events. For competitive play in North America, Australia, or Europe, build your deck in English.
Language and readability
JP cards have Japanese text only. All card mechanics are still readable via the Limitless TCG database, which shows JP and EN text side by side. For pure display or collection purposes, the Japanese text card is a different aesthetic: the art frames are slightly different and the foil treatments on the Shiny Rares often have more texture than their EN counterparts.
Grading
Both PSA and CGC accept Japanese Pokémon cards. Japanese cards from factory-sealed product often arrive in excellent condition because JP booster packaging is tighter, reducing card movement inside packs.
Print quality for the high-rarity shiny cards in SV4a has some reported holofoil scratching, which affects grading outcomes regardless of language. Check the card face before submitting, not just the back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shiny Treasure ex the same as Paldean Fates?
Not exactly. About 90 percent of the cards in JP SV4a Shiny Treasure ex (December 1, 2023) have a direct English print in Paldean Fates (January 26, 2024). The EN set restructures the card numbering and splits the shiny cards into a separate Shiny Vault subset, so they are the same source material with different packaging and numbering conventions.
What cards from SV4a did not make it to English Paldean Fates?
Roughly 10 percent of SV4a cards have no Paldean Fates print, primarily lower-rarity trainers and reprints already available in earlier Scarlet & Violet English sets. Use the Limitless TCG card list for SV4a and filter by English set to identify any specific card you are chasing before buying the JP version.
Do SV4a cards work in official Pokémon tournaments?
JP SV4a cards are Standard-legal in Japan. Most officially sanctioned Pokémon tournaments outside Japan require English-language cards. For competitive play in North America, Australia, or Europe, build your deck from English Paldean Fates and keep the Japanese version for collection.
Are the shiny cards in JP SV4a different from the Paldean Fates Shiny Vault?
They are the same cards with different set numbering. Shiny Rares in JP SV4a are renumbered as SV-prefix cards in the English Shiny Vault, but the artwork is identical.
Some collectors prefer the JP versions for their slightly different foil texture and Japanese text aesthetic.
Is Shiny Treasure ex worth buying as a JP import in 2026?
If you want Japanese Shiny Rare cards with Japanese text, SV4a is the only way to get them. Boxes range from $123 to $165 USD (observed October 9, 2026), which is a lower per-pack cost than most current EN secondary prices. Verify any seller is offering factory-sealed stock before buying.
Browse the full selection of Japanese TCG imports, including Shiny Treasure ex single packs and booster boxes, on the DexHaul Japanese cards collection from independent shops worldwide. DexHaul is independent and unofficial, not affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company or Nintendo.
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