The third Pokémon TCG expansion from Scarlet and Violet, Obsidian Flame in English and Ruler of the Black Flame in Japanese, has arrived, featuring a handful of chase cards worth cracking booster packs for.
Having already been released in Japan, the Obsidian Flames English Pokémon TCG cards are slated to drop in August. The set contains over 200 cards, featuring three Hyper Rare gold-etched cards and six Special Illustration Rare Pokémon and Support cards as chase cards within the third expansion. The set also features Tera-type Pokémon, which have the same Energy type they always do for attacking but a different overall type that affects weakness and resistance.
Most expensive Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Obsidian Flames cards
Unlike potentially soaring card prices from the upcoming Pokémon Scarlet & Violet 151 set, the Obsidian Flames set is toned down somewhat. There’s a bunch of filler within the set, but there are also some sweet chase cards worth money on the secondary market.
Prices are subject to change following the official launch of Obsidian Flames. All card prices are based on preorder listings from sites like TCGplayer and Cardmarket.
#223 Charizard ex
Charizard ex is the face card for the Obsidian Flames set, featuring three variants with projected prices of $100 and more. Is it any surprise to see the fan-favorite Charizard being worth the most money? Probably the most interesting feature illustaration-wise, is the fact that this particular Charizard’s Tera-type is Dark rather than Flying or Fire. That makes its Burning Darkness move feel a bit more appropriate.
- Special Illustration Rare: Around $77
- Hyper Rare gold-etched: Around $35
- Ultra Rare: Around $22
- Double Rare: Around $15
#218 Geeta
Geeta is a new Trainer that appeared first in the Japanese Ruler of the Black Flame, able to search your deck for up to two Basic Energy cards and attach them to one Pokémon. The only downside is that once Geeta is played for that turn, no Pokémon you control can attack.
It’s not surprising to see Geeta as a valuable trainer card considering her status as the chairwoman of the Pokémon League in Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet. She may not have the legendary, fan-favorite status that Generation Four champion Cynthia enjoys, but Geeta is a popular champ nonetheless.
- Special Illustration Rare: Around $10
- Ultra Rare: Around $3
#211 Tyranitar ex
Tyranitar ex returns to Pokémon TCG as a Tera-type with the Electric typing. There are two versions, with the Ultra Rare variant valued at around $30.
It’s always fun to see what unique typing combinations can happen with Tera-types, and for some reason an Electric Tera-type just works for Tyranitar. The Rock/Dark type is usually at a disadvantage against Water types, but being able to zap any watery foes can surely help the big fella out.
- Ultra Rare: Around $8
- Double Rare: Around $3
#227 Poppy
Poppy is another new Trainer within the Obsidian Flames set. She can move up to two Energy from one of your Pokémon to another you control.
The only other Trainer card that’s worth a handful of money in Obsidian Flames, and it’s another character that players encounter as they take on the Elite Four. Geeta is the champion, but Poppy is the second fight you’ll have to overcome if you want to beat the Elite Four in Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet.
If you do happen to take on Poppy in the Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet games, remember that she specializes in Steel type Pokémon.
- Special Illustration Rare: Around $3
- Ultra Rare: Around $2
#225 Pidgeot ex
Pidgeot ex has only been printed once before in XY: Evolutions. The Pokémon has the Quick Search ability that can be used once per turn to find any card from your deck and put it into your hand.
One of the more valuable cards in Obsidian Flames collection, Pidgeot, like Charizard, is worth more due to its long-time status as a fan-favorite. There are certainly perks associated with being a Generation One Pokémon.
- Special Illustration Rare: Around $14
- Ultra Rare: Around $6
- Double Rare: Around $3
#224 Revavroom ex
Revavroom ex is a new Steel-type Pokémon that can have up to four Pokémon Tools attached to it while also reducing the attack damage it takes.
This card might not be worth the most in Obsidian Flames, but the newest Pokémon have a harder time reaching a high value quickly. With time, however, this Revavroom could become more of a collector’s piece. You’ll have to take down quite a few Revavroom as part of the main quest in Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet, so maybe it will become more of hit with fans due to exposure.
- Special Illustration Rare: Around $6
- Ultra Rare: Around $2
- Double Rare: Around $1
#222 Eiscue ex
Getting printed for the first time through Obsidian Flames is Eiscue ex, a Tera-type Fire with Water Energy needed for attacks. Eiscue ex prevents all damage from attacks as long as it is on the bench.
Using this particular Eiscue can be a great way to surprise your opponent. Perhaps you’ve got a deck with a load of Water types, this Eiscue can shift things around thanks to its Fire Tera-type. Grass types beware!
- Special Illustration Rare: Around $5
- Ultra Rare: Around $2
#212 Vespiquen ex
Vespiquen ex is another new Tera-type Pokémon that is Psychic and requires Grass Energy for attacks. The Pokémon can heal 60 damage from one of your other Pokémon. The other attack ability deals 200 damage plus three damage counters on each of your opponent’s benched Pokémon that already has damage counters on it.
As many Tera-types often do, this Vespiquen’s Psychic Tera-type can act as a curveball when someone’s expecting to go up against a Grass type-focused deck.
- Ultra Rare: Around $2
- Double Rare: Around $1
Other Obsidian Flames chase cards worth money
Around a dozen Pokémon TCG cards in the Obsidian Flames set have at least one variant worth money on the secondary singles market.
- #207 Pidgey Illustration Rare: Around $8
- #202 Cleffa Illustration Rare: Around $6
- #199 Ninetales Illustration Rare: Around $9
- #229 Artazon Hyper Rare gold-etched: Around $6.50
- #205 Scizor Illustration Rare: Around $5
- #229 Artazon Hyper Rare: Around $4
- #198 Gloom Illustration Rare: Around $3
If you’re looking to make a profit or add some highly sought after cards to your collection, all of the cards mentioned above are your best bet as the most expensive Pokémon obsidian cards.
Update Aug. 12 10am CT: All Pokémon TCG card prices for the Obsidian Flames set were updated after launch.
Update Aug. 16 8:45am CT: All Pokémon TCG card prices for the Obsidian Flames set were updated
Update Sept. 4 2pm CT: All Pokémon TCG card prices for the Obsidian Flames set were updated
Update Oct. 28 7:30pm CT: All Pokémon TCG card prices for the Obsidian Flames set were updated
