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Scarlet & Violet – Obsidian Flames

Released in August 2023 as the third main expansion in the Scarlet & Violet block, Obsidian Flames is a must have set for any Charizard collectors. It boasts a total of 230 cards including 33 Secret Rares. The set is also known for the Tera ex mechanic.

1. Charizard ex — Special Illustration Rare (#223/197)

Tera-form Charizard mid-roar bursting through obsidian rock, fractured crystalline shards radiating outward. The dark palette flips the expected fire-red Charizard energy on its head, which is the whole point of the type-shift mechanic. Pull rate is brutal at roughly 1 in 900+ packs, making it the rarest non-gold card in the set. On the playability side, it's the same Infernal Reign / Burning Darkness text as the standard ex — format-defining when legal, anchoring one of the most dominant decks of the entire SV era.

2. Charizard ex — Hyper Rare Gold (#228/197)

Full gold etched finish with pink and teal Tera shards layered over the standard ex pose, giving it a disco-prism quality the usual SV golds don't always hit. Pull rate sits around 1 in 750–900 packs, and it's one of only three Hyper Rares in the entire set. Playability is identical to every other Charizard ex print — same deck staple, just significantly blingier.

3. Cleffa — Illustration Rare (#202/197)

Tiny silhouetted Cleffa under a twilight sky with a shooting star streaking overhead, referencing the old lore that Cleffa arrived on Earth via meteor. Quiet and atmospheric — a complete tonal contrast to the rest of the set's fire-and-fury energy. Pull rate is around 1 in 50–60 packs at the IR tier. Niche playability: Grasping Draw (refill to 7) plus free retreat makes it a viable turn-1 opener in stall and control decks, but it's never been a meta staple.

 4. Ninetales — Illustration Rare (#199/197)

Ninetales in a sun-drenched mythical forest with golden light filtering through trees. The painterly style feels more storybook illustration than card art, which is why it punches above its weight with collectors. Same ~1 in 50–60 pack rate as other IRs. Playability is basically nonexistent — Will-O-Wisp and Nine-Tailed Dance are too slow for modern formats. Pure collector card riding entirely on Gen 1 nostalgia and gorgeous artwork.

5. Gloom — Illustration Rare (#198/197)

Psychedelic jungle scene with vibrant tropical flora, birds-of-paradise flowers, and a hidden Bellsprout tucked into the foliage. One of the most colorful and detailed IRs in the set, and a sleeper favorite among art collectors. Pull rate matches the rest of the IR tier at roughly 1 in 50–60 packs. Zero competitive use — Inviting Scent and Leaf Step are filler attacks.Strictly an art chase, but a deserving one.

Grab a Bundle Today — Buy 3+ Save 10%

If any of these chases have you ready to rip some Obsidian Flames packs, check this out. With the set out of print, these cards — especially those Charizards — are bound to hold value over the coming years.

Lowest listed on TCGPlayer:

Bundle & Save

TCGPlayer's lowest listing is $114, compared to $100 at Trading Card World. That's a whole extra pack and change you're leaving on the table if you pass this up. Go cop a bundle before that price catches up everywhere else.