Released on July 10, 2020 as a summer subset between Infinity Zone (S3) and Amazing Volt Tackle (S4), S3a Legendary Heartbeat (伝説の鼓動) is one of the quieter but collector-beloved Japanese Sword & Shield releases. The set is best known for giving Galar’s Ghost Gym Leader Allister and Fairy Gym Leader Opal their first SR treatment — cards that have become staples in character-focused collections. Sealed boxes trade at ~¥18,000 ($128) in 2026, making S3a an accessible entry point into early S-series sealed content.
S3a Legendary Heartbeat: Set Overview
| Set Code | S3a |
|---|---|
| Japanese Name | 伝説の鼓動 (Densetsu no Kodō) |
| English Source | Partial source for Vivid Voltage (swsh4) |
| Release Date | July 10, 2020 |
| Pack Configuration | 30 packs / box, 5 cards / pack |
| MSRP | ¥4,950 per box |
| Market Price (2026) | ~¥18,000 (~$128) |
| Total Cards | 94 cards |
Top Cards in S3a Legendary Heartbeat
Togekiss VMAX Rainbow HR
Togekiss VMAX
~¥4,500 (~$32)
Pull rate: ~1/10 boxes (est.)
Togekiss VMAX Rainbow is the top chase card of S3a. Togekiss has maintained a devoted fanbase since its Gen IV introduction, and the Rainbow foil treatment applied to its VMAX form produces one of the more aesthetically gentle Hyper Rares in the Sword & Shield era. At ¥4,500 ($32), it’s the set’s highest-value single card.
Allister SR — Galar’s Ghost Gym Leader
Allister
~¥2,800 (~$20)
Pull rate: ~1/box (est.)
Allister is Galar’s mysterious masked Ghost-type Gym Leader, and S3a gave him his first full-art SR trainer treatment. The illustration by Sanosuke Sakuma captures Allister’s ethereal, shy character design with a muted color palette and ghostly atmosphere. At ¥2,800 ($20), it’s a favorite among character card collectors and Ghost-type enthusiasts.
Opal SR — The Elderly Fairy Gym Leader
Opal
~¥1,800 (~$13)
Pull rate: ~1/box (est.)
Opal, Galar’s elderly Fairy Gym Leader from Ballonlea, received her first SR trainer card in S3a. Naoki Saito’s illustration depicts Opal in her signature pink outfit with the dramatic scenery of Ballonlea’s mushroom forest behind her. Opal is one of the more unusual character designs in Galar — an elderly woman Gym Leader with strong opinions — and her SR card has become a cult favorite.
Allister HR Rainbow
The Rainbow Hyper Rare version of Allister (~¥2,200 / $16) uses the same Sanosuke Sakuma illustration with rainbow gold foil treatment. Slightly less valuable than the SR version despite higher rarity — an unusual pattern that reflects the collector preference for the cleaner SR artwork.
Coalossal VMAX & Alcremie VMAX HR
S3a also features Coalossal VMAX HR (~¥1,500) and Alcremie VMAX HR (~¥1,500), rounding out the set’s VMAX Rainbow offerings. These are less iconic Pokémon than Togekiss but still represent unique Galar-era VMAX chase cards.
Should You Buy S3a Legendary Heartbeat?
For Character Card Collectors
S3a is strong for collectors targeting Galar Gym Leader character cards. Allister SR and Opal SR are both from S3a and represent their first Sword & Shield-era full art treatments. For completing a Galar Gym Leader character collection, S3a is mandatory.
For Togekiss Collectors
Togekiss VMAX Rainbow is the only Rainbow foil Togekiss VMAX from the S-series. Mandatory for Togekiss collectors.
For Budget Collectors
At ¥18,000 ($128), S3a is one of the most affordable sealed S-series boxes from the 2020 era. For collectors who want early Sword & Shield sealed content without paying premium prices for the major sets, S3a delivers the opening experience at reasonable cost.
S3a Pull Rates & Box EV
| Category | Rate/Box | Avg Value | EV |
|---|---|---|---|
| VMAX Rainbow HR | ~0.2 | ¥2,500 | ¥500 |
| Allister/Opal SR | ~0.5 | ¥2,300 | ¥1,150 |
| V SR cards | ~1 | ¥1,500 | ¥1,500 |
| UR Gold cards | ~0.1 | ¥1,500 | ¥150 |
| RR/RRR cards | ~4 | ¥400 | ¥1,600 |
| Other cards | — | — | ¥1,500 |
| Estimated Total EV | ~¥6,400 | ||
| Market BOX price | ~¥18,000 | ||
| EV / Cost ratio | ~36% | ||
Where to Buy S3a Legendary Heartbeat
Browse S3a Legendary Heartbeat →
Authenticated Japanese sealed boxes with Allister, Opal, and Togekiss cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is S3a Legendary Heartbeat?
S3a (伝説の鼓動) is a Japanese Sword & Shield subset released July 10, 2020. It contains 94 cards focused on Galar Gym Leader character cards and VMAX Rainbow Pokémon. Key cards include Togekiss VMAX Rainbow, Allister SR, and Opal SR. Many S3a cards were incorporated into English Vivid Voltage (swsh4).
What is the top card in S3a Legendary Heartbeat?
Togekiss VMAX Rainbow HR at approximately ¥4,500 ($32) is the top-valued card. Allister SR (¥2,800) and Opal SR (¥1,800) are the next most valuable as popular Gym Leader character cards from the Galar region.
Is S3a worth buying at ¥18,000?
S3a has a ~36% box EV ratio — average for S-series. It’s one of the cheapest early S-series sealed boxes, making it accessible for collectors who want 2020-era Japanese content without premium pricing. Mandatory for Allister, Opal, or Togekiss collectors.
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