Pokémon Start Deck Generations (SVM, 2024): Japanese Import Guide
By Dexhaul Team · October 12, 2026 · 6 min read
There is no English version of Pokémon Start Deck Generations.
Released in Japan on November 22, 2024, the set (official code SVM, Japanese title スタートデッキGenerations) is a Scarlet & Violet era release with nine ready-to-play 60-card decks. Each deck is themed to one of the nine main-series game regions, from Kanto to Paldea, and leads with two ex Pokémon native to that region. As of October 2026, no English equivalent has been announced by The Pokémon Company.
The set sits alongside Wild Force and Cyber Judge as an SV-era Japanese import worth tracking. Decks import for roughly $10–$28 USD through independent shops, and the four-deck Special Battle Set runs $68–$227 depending on the seller and condition.
On this page 6 sections
Start Deck Generations at a glance
| Detail | SVM |
|---|---|
| Official Japanese name | スタートデッキGenerations |
| Set code | SVM |
| JP release date | Friday, November 22, 2024 |
| EN equivalent | None announced |
| Number of decks | 9 (one per main-series region) |
| Cards per deck | 60 (ready to play) |
| Official JP MSRP per deck | 850 yen |
| Special Battle Set JP MSRP | 4,620 yen (4 decks + 4 SV-P promos) |
| Card era | Scarlet & Violet (ex mechanic) |
| Set page | pokemon-card.com/ex/svm/ |
All nine decks: every region and its ex Pokémon
Each deck carries two ex Pokémon that represent its region. The region pairing is the most useful buying filter: fans of a specific generation will already know which deck to reach for.
| Region | Game (main series) | ex Pokémon A | ex Pokémon B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kanto | Red & Blue (1996) | Pikachu ex | Snorlax ex |
| Johto | Gold & Silver (1999) | Lugia ex | Tyranitar ex |
| Hoenn | Ruby & Sapphire (2002) | Kyogre ex | Blaziken ex |
| Sinnoh | Diamond & Pearl (2006) | Dialga ex | Lucario ex |
| Unova | Black & White (2010) | Reshiram ex | Amoonguss ex |
| Kalos | X & Y (2013) | Xerneas ex | Noivern ex |
| Alola | Sun & Moon (2016) | Tapu Koko ex | Mimikyu ex |
| Galar | Sword & Shield (2019) | Zacian ex | Alcremie ex |
| Paldea | Scarlet & Violet (2022) | Koraidon ex | Paldean Clodsire ex |
What's in each 60-card deck
Every SVM deck arrives ready to play. The 60 cards include the two featured ex Pokémon (typically two or three copies of each), supporting Pokémon for the theme, Trainer cards drawn from the current Standard pool, and basic energy. No damage counters or coin are included: the decks are designed for Japan's organized play environment, where those items are expected to be on hand.
The key distinction from older Japanese starter products is the card era. Start Deck 100 (released December 3, 2021) used the Sword & Shield V and VMAX mechanic. The MEGA Start Deck 100 Battle Collection (released December 19, 2025) was the first SV-era successor.
SVM uses the same flat-ex card design and HP conventions as current English Scarlet & Violet sets, so the Pikachu ex or Koraidon ex from SVM look visually identical to the ex Pokémon in any current Standard booster. That matters for collectors pulling cards into English-language play environments.
Pokémon Card Game Start Deck Generations Lugia ex & Tyranitar ex (Japanese)
$15.00 USD
The Special Battle Set
The Special Battle Set bundles four of the nine decks with four exclusive SV-P promotional cards not sold separately. Official Japanese retail price is 4,620 yen. At import it runs roughly $68–$227 USD depending on the seller, condition, and whether the box is sealed or opened.
The math matters here. At official MSRP, the Special Battle Set costs about 1,155 yen per deck compared to 850 yen for an individual deck: a modest premium for the promos.
At import margins, that gap widens considerably. Buyers who want a specific region are usually better off sourcing the single deck from an importer such as Eclipse Games or Japan Figure Store rather than paying for the full set.
Should you import an SVM deck?
Price per deck at import
Individual decks typically land between $10 and $28 USD at independent importers, observed October 12, 2026. The Pikachu ex/Snorlax ex and Lugia ex/Tyranitar ex decks tend to carry a small premium over the less-demanded regions. If you want the full nine-deck set for display, the Nippon Trove box listing combines all nine for around $57.99 USD at the same date, which is strong value compared to buying each deck separately.
Play legality
Cards from SVM are legal in Japanese Standard format from their release date. For international play, Japanese cards are only tournament-legal in non-Japanese events when a published English equivalent exists in the current rotation.
SVM has no English counterpart, so its prints are collector items for English competitive play rather than tournament staples. Players intending to compete in English-format events should source the English-print versions of any SVM ex cards instead.
For English-format collectors
The appeal is regional nostalgia and the Scarlet & Violet card design. Lugia ex and Dialga ex exist in English sets but the SVM versions are distinct prints with Japanese text and the SVM collector number. Collectors who grade Pokémon cards with PSA or CGC can submit Japanese cards using the same grading process as English cards: they are evaluated as Japanese language cards and labeled accordingly on the slab.
For gift buying, a single SVM deck in a collector's favorite region is a low-cost, distinctive Japanese import. The complete Japanese set guide covers the broader SV-era release calendar if you are deciding between SVM and a boosted set import.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an English version of Start Deck Generations?
No. As of October 2026, The Pokémon Company has not announced an English equivalent for SVM. The nine decks are Japan-exclusive releases.
Which regions are covered?
All nine main-series regions: Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, Alola, Galar, and Paldea. Each deck leads with two ex Pokémon representative of that region.
Are the SVM cards Scarlet & Violet era?
Yes. SVM uses the Scarlet & Violet ex mechanic and the flat-ex card frame introduced with the SV series in 2022. They are not V or VMAX cards from the Sword & Shield era.
Which deck should I start with if I only buy one?
Choose by your favorite region. If you want the deck most likely to hold collector value, the Kanto (Pikachu ex/Snorlax ex) and Paldea (Koraidon ex/Paldean Clodsire ex) decks have the broadest demand; Sinnoh (Dialga ex/Lucario ex) runs close behind for Sinnoh fans.
Does the Special Battle Set contain all nine decks?
No. The Special Battle Set includes four of the nine regional decks plus four exclusive SV-P promotional cards, not the full nine.
The individual box format (sold separately by importers such as Nippon Trove) covers all nine decks.
Browse all import-eligible Japanese Pokémon TCG products, including SVM starter decks, at DexHaul's Japanese Cards collection. DexHaul is independent and not affiliated with The Pokémon Company or its partners.
Catch 'em all
More Pokémon Start Deck Generations listings from independent shops.