Lillie’s Clefairy ex SAR (Special Art Rare) from Battle Partners was asking ¥28,000 (~$190) as of March 2026 — fourteen months after release. On September 23, 2026, the lowest asking price on SNKRDUNK for this card was ¥17,000 raw. Battle Partners pull rates and card values are covered below; the full Battle Partners card list is at /pages/sv9-card-list.
SV9 brought back a mechanic not seen in over two decades: Trainer’s Pokémon. Cards tied directly to iconic characters like Lillie, Iono, N, and Hop. The set also includes a first-print error on N’s Zoroark ex UR from the initial January 2025 production run, corrected in later reprints; this guide has no dated September 23, 2026 figure for that error print specifically.
This guide covers Battle Partners: the top 10 most valuable cards with dated SNKRDUNK market prices, community-reported pull rate estimates from Japanese opening reports, a box EV breakdown, and whether the JPN box is worth picking up over the English Journey Together release. USD figures convert at ¥154/USD, approximate.
Is the Battle Partners booster box worth buying?
The Battle Partners booster box is worth buying if you want a Japanese SV9 box with Trainer’s Pokemon demand, six SARs, and a Lillie’s Clefairy ex chase card. The No Shrink option of our SV9 box is currently listed at ¥9,672 (~$63) (update: currently sold out — restock requests via Quick Order) (the Sealed option is sold out at the time of this update); the box is better for collectors and box buyers, singles are better if you only want one exact SAR.
Battle Partners (SV9) features 6 SARs built around Trainer’s Pokémon character appeal. Lillie’s Clefairy ex SAR was asking ¥28,000 (~$190) as of March 2026 (¥17,000 raw on September 23, 2026). A first-print N’s Zoroark ex UR error exists from the January 2025 production run. Full Battle Partners card list: /pages/sv9-card-list.
- Full Battle Partners card list: /pages/sv9-card-list.
- The No Shrink option of our SV9-Battle Partners booster box is currently listed at ¥9,672 (~$63) (update: currently sold out — restock requests via Quick Order) (the Sealed option is sold out); on September 23, 2026, the lowest asking price on SNKRDUNK for a sealed box was ¥9,900.
- On September 23, 2026, the lowest asking price on SNKRDUNK for Lillie’s Clefairy ex SAR was ¥17,000 raw / ¥69,999 for a PSA 10 copy.
- Pull rates and the error-card rate in this guide are community-reported; The Pokémon Company publishes no official rate.
Battle Partners — Set Overview
Battle Partners (SV9) is anchored by the return of Trainer’s Pokémon cards that pair iconic trainers with their signature partners.
Release Date, Price & Pack Contents
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Set Name | Battle Partners (バトルパートナーズ) |
| Set Code | SV9 |
| JPN Release | January 10, 2025 |
| ENG Equivalent | Journey Together (March 28, 2025) |
| MSRP | ¥5,400 → March 2026 market price: ¥9,000 (~$61); September 23, 2026 SNKRDUNK ask: ¥9,900 |
| Packs per Box | 30 |
| Cards per Pack | 5 |
| Rare Cards | 6 SAR, 3 UR, 11 SR, 12 AR |
Prices as of March 2026 (SNKRDUNK secondary market data).
The Return of Trainer’s Pokémon
Trainer’s Pokémon cards — where a specific trainer’s name is part of the card name — first appeared in Gym Heroes and Gym Challenge back in 2000. SV9 revived this mechanic for the modern era. Lillie’s Clefairy ex, Iono’s Bellibolt ex, N’s Zoroark ex, and Hop’s Zacian ex each carry the trainer’s name directly, creating a collector dynamic that goes beyond competitive play.
The appeal is straightforward: fans of specific characters can now chase cards that explicitly belong to their favorite trainer. Lillie’s Clefairy ex SAR carries the highest price in the set among the cards this guide tracks.
JPN vs Journey Together (ENG)
The English-language equivalent of Battle Partners is Journey Together, released on March 28, 2025. Journey Together combines cards from SV9 with additional cards not found in the Japanese set, creating a different card pool and pull rate structure.
Key differences for collectors considering JPN vs ENG:
| Factor | JPN (SV9) | ENG (Journey Together) |
|---|---|---|
| Release | Jan 10, 2025 | Mar 28, 2025 |
| Box Price (March 2026) | ~¥9,000 (~$61) | Not tracked in this update |
| Print Quality | Higher-rated texture and foil | Standard |
| Card Pool | SV9 only | SV9 + additional |
| SAR Availability | 6 SARs in set | Mixed with other set SARs |
This guide does not track English-market prices. The JPN version’s Lillie’s Clefairy ex SAR ask was ¥28,000 (~$190) in March 2026; on September 23, 2026, the lowest asking price on SNKRDUNK for this card was ¥17,000 raw.
Top 10 Most Valuable Battle Partners Cards
Lillie’s Clefairy ex SAR leads the set, and four of the top five cards are Trainer’s Pokémon.
| Rank | Card | Rarity | Price (¥, Mar 2026) | Price (USD, Mar 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lillie’s Clefairy ex | SAR | ¥28,000 | ~$190 |
| 2 | Iono’s Bellibolt ex | SAR | ¥14,000 | ~$95 |
| 3 | N’s Zoroark ex | SAR | ¥8,300 | ~$56 |
| 4 | Salamence ex | SAR | ¥4,000 | ~$27 |
| 5 | Hop’s Zacian ex | SAR | ¥3,500 | ~$24 |
| 6 | Iono’s Bellibolt ex | UR | ¥3,300 | ~$22 |
| 7 | N’s Zoroark ex | UR | ¥2,200 | ~$15 |
| 8 | Lillie’s Clefairy ex | SR | ¥1,600 | ~$11 |
| 9 | Lillie’s Wigglytuff | AR | ¥1,500 | ~$10 |
| 10 | Lillie’s Comfey | AR | ¥800 | ~$5 |
March 2026 figures were marketplace asking prices from SNKRDUNK and Mercari; September 23, 2026 figures are SNKRDUNK lowest asks; store prices are our current listings.
#1 Lillie’s Clefairy ex SAR — ¥28,000 (~$190, Mar 2026)
Lillie’s Clefairy ex SAR is the top card by price in this guide’s top 10. It was asking ¥28,000 (~$190) as of March 2026, fourteen months after release. On September 23, 2026, the lowest asking price on SNKRDUNK for this card was ¥17,000 raw, and ¥69,999 for a PSA 10 copy.
The art features Lillie alongside Clefairy in a Special Art Rare treatment that highlights their bond as battle partners.
PSA 10 graded examples were asking ¥40,000-45,000 (~$270-$306) as of March 2026; the September 23, 2026 SNKRDUNK PSA 10 ask was ¥69,999.
#2 Iono’s Bellibolt ex SAR — ¥14,000 (~$95, Mar 2026)
Iono’s Bellibolt ex SAR held the second spot as of March 2026, at exactly half the Lillie chase card’s price.
The card showcases Iono with Bellibolt in her signature energetic style. On September 23, 2026, the lowest asking price on SNKRDUNK for the Iono’s Bellibolt ex SAR (SV9 125/100) was ¥7,999 raw, and ¥49,800 for a PSA 10 copy.
#3 N’s Zoroark ex SAR — ¥8,300 (~$56, Mar 2026)
N’s Zoroark ex SAR rounded out the top three as of March 2026, at ¥8,300 (~$56). N is paired here with Zoroark. On September 23, 2026, the lowest asking price on SNKRDUNK for this SAR print (SV9 127/100) was ¥6,000 raw, and ¥29,999 for a PSA 10 copy.
The set’s first-print N’s Zoroark ex UR error card (SV9 131/100) is covered in detail below.
Cards #4–#10
| Rank | Card | Rarity | Price (Mar 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Salamence ex SAR | SAR | ¥4,000 (~$27) | Only non-Trainer’s Pokémon SAR in the top 5. No dated September 23, 2026 SNKRDUNK figure is in this update for this print |
| 5 | Hop’s Zacian ex SAR | SAR | ¥3,500 (~$24) | Hop + Zacian pairing from Sword & Shield. Sept 23, 2026 SNKRDUNK ask: ¥4,000 raw / ¥8,700 PSA 10 |
| 6 | Iono’s Bellibolt ex UR | UR | ¥3,300 (~$22) | Gold Ultra Rare version. No dated September 23, 2026 SNKRDUNK figure is in this update for this print |
| 7 | N’s Zoroark ex UR | UR | ¥2,200 (~$15) | Standard (non-error) UR. Sept 23, 2026 SNKRDUNK ask: ¥2,500 raw / ¥7,999 PSA 10 |
| 8 | Lillie’s Clefairy ex SR | SR | ¥1,600 (~$11) | SR rarity of the same card as #1. No dated September 23, 2026 SNKRDUNK figure is in this update for this print |
| 9 | Lillie’s Wigglytuff AR | AR | ¥1,500 (~$10) | Art Rare. No dated September 23, 2026 SNKRDUNK figure is in this update for this print |
| 10 | Lillie’s Comfey AR | AR | ¥800 (~$5) | Art Rare. No dated September 23, 2026 SNKRDUNK figure is in this update for this print |
On September 23, 2026, the lowest asking price on SNKRDUNK for Hop’s Zacian ex SAR (SV9 128/100) was ¥4,000 raw, and ¥8,700 for a PSA 10 copy; for N’s Zoroark ex UR (SV9 131/100, the standard corrected print) it was ¥2,500 raw, and ¥7,999 for a PSA 10 copy.
The Error Card — N’s Zoroark ex UR (First Print Only)
N’s Zoroark ex UR from the first print run contains a printing error that was corrected in subsequent reprints, making the error print exclusive to early production boxes.
This guide has no dated September 23, 2026 SNKRDUNK figure for the first-print error specifically. For comparison, on September 23, 2026, the lowest SNKRDUNK ask for the standard corrected UR print (SV9 131/100) was ¥2,500 raw, and ¥7,999 for a PSA 10 copy.
How to identify the error version:
- Only found in first-print boxes (initial production run, January 2025)
- The error is visible on the card’s text/artwork (specific misprint details vary by listing)
The error print is limited to the original January 2025 production run and does not appear in reprinted boxes.
Pull Rates — What’s in Your Box?
SV9 follows the standard Scarlet & Violet expansion pull rate structure: community-observed hits per box, with SAR and UR pulls requiring luck or volume; The Pokémon Company publishes no official rate.
Community-Observed Hits Per Box
Community reports say an SV9 box (30 packs) typically includes:
| Category | Included Per Box | Average Value |
|---|---|---|
| RR (Double Rare) | 4 | ~¥200 each |
| AR (Art Rare) | 3 | ~¥350 each |
| SR (Super Rare) | 1 | ~¥600 avg |
| Holo/Reverse | Multiple | ~¥50 each |
The community-observed floor value from these pulls alone was approximately ¥2,450 (~$17) per box in March 2026.
Probability-Based Pulls
The high-value pulls — SARs and URs — are probability-based:
| Rarity | Approximate Odds | Cards in Set | Average Value (Mar 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAR (Special Art Rare) | ~1 in 6 boxes | 6 | ¥10,050 avg |
| UR (Ultra Rare) | ~1 in 12 boxes | 3 | ¥2,900 avg |
These rates are estimated from Japanese community opening data and are not officially confirmed by The Pokémon Company. Actual results vary.
To put this in perspective: community-reported odds suggest that opening 6 boxes yields roughly 1 SAR. In March 2026, that SAR could have been the ¥28,000 Lillie’s Clefairy ex or the ¥3,500 Hop’s Zacian ex — the variance is significant.
Box EV Breakdown
The value you get from a box comes from the opening experience, the community-observed hits, and the chance of pulling a high-value SAR.
Expected Value Calculation (March 2026 values)
| Component | Calculation | EV Per Box |
|---|---|---|
| 4× RR (community-observed) | 4 × ¥200 avg | ¥800 |
| 3× AR (community-observed) | 3 × ¥350 avg | ¥1,050 |
| 1× SR (community-observed) | 1 × ¥600 avg | ¥600 |
| SAR chance (1/6) | ¥10,050 × 1/6 | ¥1,675 |
| UR chance (1/12) | ¥2,900 × 1/12 | ¥242 |
| Bulk (C/U/R) | ~140 cards | ¥200 |
| Total EV | ¥4,567 | |
| Box Cost | ¥9,000 | |
| EV Ratio | 50.7% |
Understanding the Variance (March 2026 values)
In March 2026, the EV ratio was approximately 51%. Here is what that meant in practice:
- Most boxes returned ¥2,450-3,000 in card value from community-observed pulls
- 1 in 6 boxes community-reported a SAR, adding ¥3,500-28,000 in March 2026 values depending on which one
- The highest March 2026 value — Lillie’s Clefairy ex SAR — was worth over 3x the box cost as a single card
In March 2026, Lillie’s Wigglytuff AR was priced at ¥1,500 and Lillie’s Comfey AR at ¥800 — both above the ¥350 average AR value in the EV table above.
If you prefer certainty over the opening experience, buying singles makes more financial sense for any specific card. A box gives you 150 cards, the thrill of the pull, and a shot at the top end — that experience has value that does not show up in an EV spreadsheet.
Should You Buy Battle Partners?
Battle Partners is a pickup for character-driven collectors and a JPN-print alternative to Journey Together.
For Collectors
If you collect Lillie, Iono, or N cards, this box is a source for chase cards. The SAR lineup is character-heavy. The No Shrink option of our SV9 box is currently listed at ¥9,672 (~$63) (update: currently sold out — restock requests via Quick Order) (the Sealed option is sold out); one to two boxes give you a solid opening session with community-observed ARs and a chance at a SAR.
View Product → (update: currently sold out — restock requests via Quick Order)
The Trainer’s Pokémon mechanic adds a layer of collectibility that standard sets lack.
For Investors
As of March 2026, the set had been on the market for 14 months, and the initial launch premium had corrected from its early highs.
Dated figures to note:
- Lillie’s Clefairy ex SAR was asking ¥28,000 as of March 2026, fourteen months after release; on September 23, 2026 the lowest SNKRDUNK ask was ¥17,000 raw / ¥69,999 for a PSA 10 copy
- First-print boxes carry the error-card possibility described above
- The ENG release (Journey Together) launched March 28, 2025
JPN Box vs Journey Together (ENG)
| Factor | JPN Box (SV9) | ENG Box (Journey Together) |
|---|---|---|
| Box Price (March 2026) | ¥9,000 (~$61) | Not tracked in this update |
| Chase Card Value (March 2026) | Lillie SAR ¥28,000 | Not tracked in this update |
| Error Card | Yes (first print only) | No |
| Print Quality | Premium texture/foil | Standard |
This guide does not track English-market box prices. On September 23, 2026, the lowest SNKRDUNK ask for a sealed JPN box was ¥9,900; the No Shrink option of our own SV9 box is currently listed at ¥9,672 (~$63) (update: currently sold out — restock requests via Quick Order) (the Sealed option is sold out).
Price Trends — January 2025 to March 2026 Market Data
Here is the JPN price history from launch through March 2026, followed by the September 23, 2026 SNKRDUNK asks.
BOX Price History
| Period | BOX Price | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Launch (Jan 2025) | ~¥20,000 | First-print period |
| Post-reprint (Spring 2025) | ~¥12,000 | After reprints |
| ENG Release (Mar 2025) | ~¥11,000 | Journey Together released |
| March 2026 (14 months after release) | ¥9,000 | Dated marketplace ask |
| September 23, 2026 (SNKRDUNK ask) | ¥9,900 | SNKRDUNK lowest ask |
The March 2026 figure of ¥9,000 was down from the ¥20,000 January 2025 launch price.
Key Card Prices — March 2026 vs September 23, 2026
Dated figures for the top cards:
- Lillie’s Clefairy ex SAR: ¥28,000 as of March 2026; ¥17,000 raw / ¥69,999 PSA 10 on the September 23, 2026 SNKRDUNK ask
- Iono’s Bellibolt ex SAR: ¥14,000 as of March 2026; ¥7,999 raw / ¥49,800 PSA 10 on September 23, 2026
- N’s Zoroark ex SAR: ¥8,300 as of March 2026; ¥6,000 raw / ¥29,999 PSA 10 on September 23, 2026
Where to Buy Battle Partners
The No Shrink option of our SV9-Battle Partners booster box is currently listed at ¥9,672 (~$63) (update: currently sold out — restock requests via Quick Order) (the Sealed option is sold out); a Damaged Box option is currently listed at ¥8,920 (~$58). We ship both directly from Japan, and full Battle Partners singles can be sourced via Quick Order; browse other PSA 10 singles we carry in our PSA 10 collection.
Other options for purchasing JPN sealed boxes:
| Shop | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Samurai Sword Tokyo (this store) | Ships from Japan | Shipping time varies by region |
| eBay (JPN sellers) | Wide selection, buyer protection | Reseal risk, variable seller quality |
| Amazon Japan | Easy checkout | Limited selection |
| Proxy services | Access to any JPN listing | Additional service fees apply |
For a deeper comparison of JPN card purchasing options, see our guide on how to buy Japanese Pokemon cards from Japan. If you are concerned about counterfeits, check how to spot fake Japanese Pokemon cards.
The Bottom Line
Battle Partners (SV9) delivers on three fronts:
- Character-driven value: Lillie’s Clefairy ex SAR was asking ¥28,000 as of March 2026 (¥17,000 raw / ¥69,999 PSA 10 on the September 23, 2026 SNKRDUNK ask), backed by Iono, N, and Hop SARs
- A first-print rarity: the first-print N’s Zoroark ex UR error exists from the January 2025 production run; this guide has no dated September 23, 2026 figure for that print specifically
- Dated box pricing: ¥9,000 per box as of March 2026, 14 months after release; ¥9,900 on the September 23, 2026 SNKRDUNK ask; the No Shrink option of our own SV9 box is currently listed at ¥9,672 (~$63)
For collectors, this set is a pick worth considering. This guide does not track English-market prices for a JPN-vs-ENG comparison.
View complete Battle Partners card list →
FAQ
What are the pull rates for Battle Partners?
Community reports say a Battle Partners box (30 packs) typically includes 4 RR, 3 AR, and 1 SR. SARs appear at approximately 1 in 6 boxes, and URs at approximately 1 in 12 boxes; these are community-observed rates, and The Pokémon Company publishes no official rate.
What is the most expensive card in Battle Partners?
The standard most expensive card was Lillie’s Clefairy ex SAR, asking ¥28,000 (~$190) as of March 2026 (¥17,000 raw / ¥69,999 PSA 10 on the September 23, 2026 SNKRDUNK ask). The N’s Zoroark ex UR error card from the first print run is a separate collectible; this guide has no dated September 23, 2026 figure for that print.
Is Battle Partners worth buying?
As of March 2026, boxes were asking approximately ¥9,000 (~$61); on September 23, 2026 the lowest SNKRDUNK ask was ¥9,900, and the No Shrink option of our own SV9 box is currently listed at ¥9,672 (~$63) (the Sealed option is sold out). This guide does not track English-market prices. For Lillie, Iono, or N collectors, the set is worth considering. In March 2026, the box EV ratio was approximately 51%.
What is the error card in Battle Partners?
N’s Zoroark ex UR from the first print run contains a printing error that was corrected in later reprints. This guide has no dated September 23, 2026 SNKRDUNK figure for the error print specifically; for comparison, on September 23, 2026 the lowest SNKRDUNK ask for the standard corrected print was ¥2,500 raw / ¥7,999 PSA 10. Only first-print boxes from January 2025 can contain the error card.
How many packs are in a Battle Partners box?
A Japanese Battle Partners booster box contains 30 packs with 5 cards per pack, totaling 150 cards. The MSRP is ¥5,400; boxes were asking approximately ¥9,000 (~$61) on the secondary market as of March 2026, and ¥9,900 on the September 23, 2026 SNKRDUNK ask. The No Shrink option of our own SV9 box is currently listed at ¥9,672 (~$63) (the Sealed option is sold out).
March 2026 figures were marketplace asking prices from SNKRDUNK and Mercari; September 23, 2026 figures are SNKRDUNK lowest asks; store prices are our current listings. Pull rates are community-observed from Japanese opening data; The Pokémon Company publishes no official rate.
Is Journey Together the same as Battle Partners?
Journey Together is the English-language set that includes cards from Battle Partners (SV9), released on March 28, 2025. The card pools are not identical — Journey Together combines SV9 cards with additional content. This guide does not track English-market prices.
What are the best cards in SV9?
As of March 2026, the top three cards by value were Lillie’s Clefairy ex SAR (¥28,000), Iono’s Bellibolt ex SAR (¥14,000), and N’s Zoroark ex SAR (¥8,300). On September 23, 2026, the lowest SNKRDUNK asks were ¥17,000 raw / ¥69,999 PSA 10 (Lillie), ¥7,999 raw / ¥49,800 PSA 10 (Iono), and ¥6,000 raw / ¥29,999 PSA 10 (N’s Zoroark). All three are Trainer’s Pokémon cards. See our full best Japanese Pokemon booster box guide for how SV9 compares to other sets.
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