💡 The chase card of Obsidian Flames — Charizard ex Hyper Rare gold border (sv3-228). Darkness-type, 330 HP, fire energy acceleration via Infernal Reign. Market price ~$42.76 (July 2026, TCGPlayer).
Card Overview
Name: Charizard ex
Set: Obsidian Flames (Scarlet & Violet era)
Card Number: 228/230
Rarity: Hyper Rare (Gold border, gold holofoil)
Type: Darkness
Release Date: August 11, 2023
Illustrator: 5ban Graphics
Card Stats & Abilities
HP & Attacks
HP: 330
Ability — Infernal Reign: When you play this Pokémon from your hand to evolve, search your deck for up to 3 Basic Fire Energy cards and attach them to your Pokémon in any way you like. Then shuffle your deck.
Attack — Burning Darkness (FireFire): 180+ damage. Does 30 more damage for each Prize card your opponent has taken. (Max 330 damage with 5 Prizes taken)
Weakness: Grass ×2
Retreat Cost: 2 Energy
Competitive Use
Charizard ex has been a staple in competitive Pokémon TCG, most notably in the 'Charizard ex / Pidgeot ex' deck. Pidgeot ex's Quick Search ability grabs any card each turn, while Charizard ex's Infernal Reign provides instant Fire Energy acceleration upon evolution. The combo creates a fast, consistent setup that dominated many tournaments throughout the Scarlet & Violet era. The scaling damage of Burning Darkness also rewards players for staying aggressive.
Price & Where to Buy
As of July 2026 · TCGPlayer: ~$42.76 (holofoil). At launch in August 2023, this card peaked at $80–$100+ due to high demand. Prices have since stabilized as supply increased. You can find it on TCGPlayer, eBay, and Card Market internationally. Always verify the seller's rating and card condition (NM/LP/MP grading) before purchasing. Note: This is not investment advice. Card prices fluctuate based on market conditions.
Why This Card Is So Popular
Charizard is arguably the most iconic Pokémon TCG card subject of all time. The Obsidian Flames version surprised fans by making Charizard a Darkness-type — a bold creative choice that made the card visually distinctive and thematically fresh. The Hyper Rare gold border variant (sv3-228) is one of the hardest pulls in the entire Obsidian Flames set, with an extremely low pack pull rate.
Three Charizard ex versions exist in Obsidian Flames: the standard ex (sv3-125), the Special Illustration Rare full-art (sv3-215), and this Hyper Rare gold (sv3-228). The gold version sits at the top for rarity and collector appeal. Obsidian Flames became one of the best-selling Scarlet & Violet era sets largely because of Charizard ex.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What's the difference between the gold Charizard and the regular Charizard ex?
A. The game stats (HP, attacks, ability) are identical between sv3-125 and sv3-228. The difference is purely visual and in rarity. The Hyper Rare gold version features a gold border and gold holofoil treatment, making it far rarer and more valuable as a collectible.
Q. Where can I buy this card?
A. TCGPlayer and eBay are the most popular options in North America. In Japan and Korea, check Mercari, Yahoo Auctions Japan, or local Pokémon card shops. Always buy from reputable sellers, check card condition grades carefully, and consider purchasing sleeved/graded copies for top condition.
Q. Is it worth getting PSA graded?
A. At ~$42 raw, PSA grading costs (submission fee + shipping) need consideration. A PSA 10 could potentially push value to $100+, but a PSA 9 or below may not recover costs. It's worth grading only if the card is in near-perfect condition — look for sharp corners, no print lines, and clean surface. Sleeve your card immediately after pulling it.
Q. Which Obsidian Flames Charizard ex version should I buy?
A. For competitive play: the standard sv3-125 is cheapest and functionally identical. For collecting or display: the Special Illustration Rare (sv3-215) has stunning full-art illustration, while the Hyper Rare gold (sv3-228) offers maximum rarity and visual impact. Budget-wise, sv3-125 first, then upgrade if you want the premium look.
Card images and data are copyright Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK / The Pokémon Company.