Mela SAR sells for around $67 on the Japanese secondary market—and the box it comes in now costs under $50. Ancient Roar (SV4K) launched in October 2023 as one half of the Paradox Pokemon duo alongside Future Flash, and two and a half years later, this set has quietly become one of the best value buys in the Scarlet & Violet era.
This guide breaks down the exact pull rates, all 10 most valuable cards with current JPN and USD prices, a box EV calculation, and price trends since launch. Every price comes from actual Japanese marketplace data—SNKRDUNK and Mercari transactions, not estimates.
We ship Ancient Roar boxes from Tokyo weekly, and this set draws steady orders from collectors chasing the Mela SAR and competitive players hunting for Earth Vessel and Boost Energy Ancient.
Set Overview: What Is SV4K Ancient Roar?
Ancient Roar is the fourth Scarlet & Violet Expansion Pack, centered on Ancient/Paradox Pokemon from Pokemon Scarlet. The set introduced competitively dominant cards alongside some of the most striking Special Art Rares in the SV era. Paired with Future Flash (SV4M) at launch, Ancient Roar focuses on the prehistoric side of the Paradox duality—featuring Koraidon-era creatures and trainers like Mela and Professor Sada.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Set Code | SV4K |
| Category | Expansion Pack |
| JP Release | October 27, 2023 |
| Total Cards | 95 (66 main + 29 secret) |
| Packs per Box | 30 (5 cards each) |
| MSRP | ¥5,400 |
| Market Price | ~$43 (¥6,500 at ¥150/USD) |
| EN Equivalent | Paradox Rift (partial—combined with Future Flash & Raging Surf) |
Three things make Ancient Roar stand out among SV-era Expansion Packs:
- Mela SAR (092/066)—A full-art depiction of the Team Star Fire crew leader that ranks among the most valuable female trainer SARs in the SV era.
- Roaring Moon ex—Both a competitive powerhouse and collector favorite. The SAR version features a dramatic prehistoric landscape composition.
- Competitive staples—Earth Vessel and Boost Energy Ancient became format-defining cards, driving long-term demand alongside chase art cards.
Top 10 Most Valuable Ancient Roar Cards
Here are the highest-value cards in SV4K, based on current Japanese secondary market prices. Prices as of April 2026, converted at ~¥150/USD.
| Rank | Card | Rarity | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mela SAR | 092/066 | ~$67 |
| 2 | Roaring Moon ex SAR | 090/066 | ~$33 |
| 3 | Professor Sada's Vitality SAR | 091/066 | ~$30 |
| 4 | Gholdengo ex SAR | SAR | ~$20 |
| 5 | Golisopod ex SAR | SAR | ~$17 |
| 6 | Roaring Moon ex UR | UR | ~$40 |
| 7 | Basic Darkness Energy UR | UR | ~$23 |
| 8 | Mela SR | SR | ~$13 |
| 9 | Professor Sada's Vitality SR | SR | ~$8 |
| 10 | Roaring Moon ex SR | SR | ~$5 |
Mela SAR: The $67 Chase Card
Mela SAR commands around ¥10,000 (~$67) on the Japanese market. The card features the Team Star Fire crew boss in a dynamic full-art illustration that showcases her fiery personality against a dramatic backdrop. Female trainer SARs in the Pokemon TCG consistently hold value better than most Pokemon ex SARs, and Mela follows this pattern.
She occupies a unique niche—a villain-adjacent female trainer with strong visual design. Trainer collector demand remains high across the SV era, and Mela has no competing versions in other sets. The card's warm color palette and action-oriented pose make it a binder centerpiece.
At roughly 1-in-25 boxes to pull a specific SAR, the math favors buying singles if you want Mela specifically. But at current box prices under $50, the chase is more affordable than ever.
Roaring Moon ex SAR trades at approximately ¥5,000 (~$33), featuring the Ancient Paradox Pokemon in a sweeping prehistoric landscape. Even as competitive relevance has faded, the SAR's visual quality keeps collector interest steady. PSA 10 graded copies have sold for $125+ internationally.
Professor Sada's Vitality SAR sits at ~¥4,500 (~$30). As the professor associated with Ancient Pokemon lore, Sada's card ties directly into the set's thematic identity. Dual demand from collectors and players helps sustain value.
Should You Buy an Ancient Roar Box?
At approximately ¥6,500 ($43) per box—well below MSRP adjusted for secondary market premiums—Ancient Roar has reached one of the most attractive entry points of any SV-era set.
Collectors: Five Special Art Rares offer five distinct chances at a high-value pull, and the Ancient Pokemon theme gives the set a cohesive visual identity. Best case: pull a Mela SAR (~$67) or Roaring Moon ex UR (~$40), paying for the box multiple times over. The 3 Art Rares per box consistently deliver attractive illustrations.
Competitive players: Earth Vessel (Daichi no Utsuwa) is one of the most played trainer cards across formats. Boost Energy Ancient and Professor Sada's Vitality are core engine cards for Ancient-themed decks. Even outside dedicated Ancient builds, Earth Vessel's universal utility makes this set relevant.
Sealed collectors: Box price has completed its post-launch correction and stabilized at ~¥6,500 for over a year. Gradual appreciation is possible as sealed supply continues to dry up. The ¥6,200-6,500 range has proven resilient—significant downside from here is unlikely unless a large reprint occurs.
Pull Rates & Rarity Breakdown
SV4K follows the standard SV-era Expansion Pack pull rate structure. Estimated based on Japanese opening data from community reports.
| Rarity | Cards in Set | Per Box (Avg) | Odds per Pack |
|---|---|---|---|
| RR | 8 | ~4 guaranteed | 1 in 7.5 |
| AR | 12 | ~3 guaranteed | 1 in 10 |
| R (Rare) | 12 | ~5 | 1 in 6 |
| SR | 10 | ~0.8 (78.8%) | ~1 in 37 |
| SAR | 5 | ~0.2 (1 in 5 boxes) | ~1 in 150 |
| UR | 3 | ~0.1 (1 in 10 boxes) | ~1 in 300 |
Rarity Distribution (95 Total Cards)
| Rarity | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| C (Common) | 20 | 21.1% |
| U (Uncommon) | 17 | 17.9% |
| R (Rare) | 12 | 12.6% |
| RR | 8 | 8.4% |
| AR | 12 | 12.6% |
| SR | 10 | 10.5% |
| SAR | 5 | 5.3% |
| UR | 3 | 3.2% |
| Other | 8 | 8.4% |
Estimated based on opening data. Pull rates are not officially confirmed by The Pokemon Company.
Box EV Breakdown
| Component | Avg Value | Frequency | EV Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| RR (guaranteed) | ~$0.67 each | 4/box | ~$2.67 |
| AR (guaranteed) | ~$2.67 each | 3/box | ~$8.00 |
| SR (78.8% chance) | ~$6 avg | 0.788/box | ~$4.73 |
| SAR (20% chance) | ~$33 avg | 0.2/box | ~$6.67 |
| UR (10% chance) | ~$30 avg | 0.1/box | ~$3.00 |
| Bulk (C/U/R) | ~$0.07 each | ~140 cards | ~$9.33 |
| Total EV | ~$34 |
Pulling a Mela SAR (~$67) from a $43 box more than covers the cost. Variance is where the excitement lives—while the average box returns ~$34, a box containing a Mela SAR returns $67+ in card value from that single pull alone. The low box price makes Ancient Roar one of the most favorable risk-reward propositions in the SV sealed product lineup.
| Approach | Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Buy Mela SAR directly | ~$67 | Exactly the card you want |
| Open 1 box | ~$43 | 150 cards + chase thrill |
| Open 5 boxes (avg 1 SAR) | ~$217 | 750 cards + likely 1 SAR |
Ancient Roar BOX Price Trends
Ancient Roar launched in October 2023 alongside Future Flash. Here's how box prices have moved over 2.5 years:
- October 2023 (Launch): ~$53—initial premium above ¥5,400 MSRP
- December 2023: ~$57—holiday demand peak
- March 2024: ~$47—post-holiday correction
- July 2024: ~$45—mid-2024 stabilization
- January 2025: ~$43—continued steady correction
- July 2025: ~$41—floor established
- April 2026 (Current): ~$43—slight recovery from floor
Box prices corrected from launch premiums and stabilized in the $41-43 range through 2025 and into 2026. This plateau suggests the set has found its natural floor—current prices represent genuine collector and player demand rather than speculative activity.
Top Card Price Movement
| Card | Launch (Oct 2023) | Current (Apr 2026) | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mela SAR | ~$100 | ~$67 | Corrected from launch premium, stable since mid-2024 |
| Roaring Moon ex SAR | ~$53 | ~$33 | Gradual correction as competitive relevance shifted |
| Professor Sada SAR | ~$47 | ~$30 | Settled alongside Ancient deck meta shifts |
| Roaring Moon ex UR | ~$53 | ~$40 | Gold cards hold value well among UR collectors |
JPN vs ENG: Ancient Roar vs Paradox Rift
Ancient Roar (SV4K) and Future Flash (SV4M) were combined with Raging Surf to create the English Paradox Rift set. This restructuring creates meaningful differences for collectors.
Japanese (SV4K)
- Box price: ~$43
- Total cards: 95 (66 + 29 secret)
- 5 SARs (Ancient-themed)
- 30 packs / 5 cards each
- Focused Ancient Pokemon theme
- Premium texture & foil quality
English (Paradox Rift)
- Box price: ~$90+
- Total cards: 266 (182 + 84 secret)
- Combined SARs from 3 JP sets
- 36 packs / 10 cards each
- Ancient + Future mixed themes
- Standard printing quality
| Card | JPN Price (USD) | ENG Price (USD) | JPN Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mela SAR | ~$67 | ~$45 | +49% |
| Roaring Moon ex SAR | ~$33 | ~$20 | +65% |
| Professor Sada SAR | ~$30 | ~$18 | +67% |
| Roaring Moon ex UR | ~$40 | ~$30 | +33% |
JPN versions trade at a 30-65% premium over their Paradox Rift English equivalents—higher than the typical 15-40% range. For collectors who want the Ancient Pokemon aesthetic without Future Pokemon dilution, the JPN version delivers a tighter, more thematic experience at a lower price point.
Shop Ancient Roar
Grab a sealed SV4K Ancient Roar booster box shipped directly from Tokyo with full tracking.
Browse the complete card list for this set to see every card available:
What to Look For
- Factory shrink wrap—Intact plastic wrap confirms the box hasn't been searched or tampered with
- Japanese text on packaging—Confirms JPN version (not Korean or English)
- 30 packs inside—Standard Expansion Packs contain 30 packs per box
- SV4K set code on packaging—Distinguishes from Future Flash (SV4M)
FAQ
What are the Ancient Roar pull rates?
Each SV4K box guarantees 4 Double Rares, 3 Art Rares, and approximately 5 Rares. You have roughly a 78.8% chance of pulling a Super Rare, about a 20% chance (1 in 5 boxes) of pulling a Special Art Rare, and approximately a 10% chance (1 in 10 boxes) of pulling an Ultra Rare. Estimated based on opening data.
What is the most expensive card in Ancient Roar?
Mela SAR (092/066) is the most valuable card at approximately $67 (¥10,000) on the Japanese secondary market as of April 2026. The card features a full-art illustration of Team Star's Fire crew leader Mela.
Is Ancient Roar worth buying in 2026?
At ~$43 per box, Ancient Roar offers excellent value for Paradox Pokemon fans and collectors chasing the Mela SAR. The set features five SARs, competitively relevant trainers like Earth Vessel, and stable market prices that have held for over a year. At current prices, it's one of the most affordable sealed SV products available.
What is the English equivalent of Ancient Roar?
Ancient Roar cards were combined with Future Flash (SV4M) and Raging Surf (SV3a) to create the English Paradox Rift set. The JPN version offers a focused 95-card set centered on Ancient Paradox Pokemon, while the ENG version mixes themes across 266 cards. Japanese cards from this set trade at a 30-65% premium over English equivalents.
How many SARs are in an Ancient Roar box?
There are 5 different SARs in the set: Mela, Roaring Moon ex, Professor Sada's Vitality, Gholdengo ex, and Golisopod ex. The chance of pulling any SAR is approximately 1 in 5 boxes (20%). To pull a specific SAR like Mela, you'd need roughly 25 boxes on average.