Avid followers of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) have been anticipating the releases of the Wild Force [SV5K] and Cyber Judge [SV5M] expansion sets for several months now. However, as it turned out, the good folks at Creatures Inc. had another surprise in store—the Ancient Koraidon ex [SVHK] and Future Miraidon ex [SVHM] Pokémon TCG Starter Deck & Build Sets.

To be released in tandem with Wild Force [SV5K] and Cyber Judge [SV5M] on 26 January 2024, the Ancient Koraidon ex [SVHK] and Future Miraidon ex [SVHM] Pokémon TCG Starter Deck & Build Sets serve as something of an introduction to ninth-generation Pokémon TCG mechanics.

Both sets contain 228 predetermined cards including a 60-card deck as well as 168 additional cards to augment the deck. The decks and additional cards make much use of the Ancient and Future mechanics which have been prominent throughout the Scarlet & Violet era.

Additionally, just as the Wild Force [SV5K] and Cyber Judge [SV5M] sets re-introduced ACE SPEC cards—mega-powerful cards of which a deck may contain just one copy—one more ACE SPEC card is part of the Ancient Koraidon ex [SVHK] and Future Miraidon ex [SVHM] sets as well. (More on that shortly.)

Let’s now take a look at some of the highlights of these sets.

Koraidon ex & Miraidon ex

The titular centerpieces of the Ancient Koraidon ex [SVHK] and Future Miraidon ex [SVHM] sets, these two Legendary Paradox Pokémon feature on cards that are as visually impressive as they are powerful.

While neither of the two cards’ rarities has yet been confirmed, these cards might nonetheless already be piquing the interest of some. For one thing, most Pokémon ex tend to be of the RR rarity—while not the absolute rarest, they’re only outranked by AR, SAR, and UR cards.

What’s more, the nature of this release might mean that it could be years before a reprint or a re-release—if either even ends up occurring at all. That scenario would definitely jack up these cards’ value.

Master Ball

Although item cards aren’t usually the most prized of any set, this Master Ball card might buck this trend for several reasons. Starting from this set, all ACE SPEC cards will bear a rarity of “ACE”. If the ACE rarity ends up being similar to that of the RR rarity of most Pokémon ex, for example, then such cards’ desirability and value will rise significantly.

Not only that—this ACE SPEC Master Ball card is one of seven such cards reintroducing this mechanic that’ll be released on 26 January 2024 alongside six others across the Wild Force [SV5K] and Cyber Judge [SV5M] expansion sets. Of these seven cards, the Master Ball is by far the most iconic owing to its place in the Pokémon lore as the “perfect Poké Ball”.

Nemona, Arven, & Iono

Recent iterations of these cards have already been the talk of the Pokémon TCG world—the Shiny Treasure ex [SV4a] SAR versions released in December 2023. While not quite at that level of rarity, Scarlet & Violet rival characters Nemona and Arven are nonetheless already among the most popular characters of their archetype, making their cards likely to be much sought after.

However, those two cards will almost certainly be somewhat overshadowed compared to Iono. The Levincia Gym Leader’s SAR card’s value dwarfed that of every other card in the Shiny Treasure ex [SV4a] set—this trend will likely hold in the Ancient Koraidon ex [SVHK] and Future Miraidon ex [SVHM] sets.

In addition to Iono’s fan appeal, this card will also be desired by serious Pokémon TCG players as it’s one of the single best hand disruption tools in the game right now.

Buying Pokémon TCG Ancient Koraidon ex [SVHK] and Future Miraidon ex [SVHM]

The Ancient Koraidon ex [SVHK] and Future Miraidon ex [SVHM] sets are Japan-exclusive releases that come out on 26 January 2024. Each set will be sold at a retail price of ¥3,600 (~US$24.39).

Don’t live in Japan but interested anyway? Then you can shop the latest Pokémon cards, boxes, and sets like Shiny Treasure ex [SV4a] on the SNKRDUNK App via the banner below: