Obsidian Flames hit the shelves on August 11, 2023, closely following the June 9th release of Paldea Evolved. With its expansive set of over 190 cards, including 15+ Trainer cards and several special illustration Pokémon and Trainer variants, it quickly gained attention. The set also introduced over 20 new Pokémon ex cards and the distinctive Type-shifted Tera Pokémon ex with a crystalline design.
Since its launch, certain cards from this set have seen a notable increase in value, which comes as no surprise given not only their playability but the beauty of their artwork as well. So far, I’ve had a lot of fun opening packs from and collecting Obsidian Flames, but my anticipation is real for the next set, Pokémon 151, which is releasing in October 2023.
The pricing dynamics of Pokemon cards can be quite intricate. I’ve noticed that while some cards are sought after purely for their aesthetic appeal, which comes as no surprise given the beautiful artworks we’ve seen as of late, it’s often the combination of a card’s playability and its desirability that pushes its value up.
Rarity, of course, plays a significant role too. The harder a card is to find, the more people are willing to pay for it. When you factor in older sets, scarcity, and nostalgia can drive prices even higher. But since we’re discussing a modern set, Obsidian Flames, age isn’t influencing card prices just yet. However, rarity definitely is. All of these elements come together to drive and shape the market of Pokémon cards and these are just a few of the reasons you’ll see some cards hike up in price when they release.
If you are looking to open up packs of Obsidian Flames, there’s a variety of options to choose from. You can go for the Elite Trainer Box, the Booster Display Box, the Booster Bundle (6 packs), or even individual Booster Packs that have been released. To find out where you can shop each, check out our detailed guide on the best places to buy Pokémon cards.
That all said, here are the most expensive Obsidian Flames cards you can collect!
#10 Pidgey Illustration Rare (207/197)
Hands down, the Pidgey Illustration Rare wins the title for the most endearing card in Obsidian Flames. It’s not just the playful variety of poses or the array of comical facial expressions Pidgey is showcasing, but there’s something genuinely uplifting about this card. Whenever I glance at it, I can’t help but smile, and honestly, that’s one of the best reactions a card can evoke.
The Pidgey Illustration Rare has this really cool subdued color scheme that reminds me a lot of the Pidgeot ex Special Illustration Rare. The blend of gentle yellows and greens makes it one of the best-looking in Obsidian Flames. All and all, it’s a visually appealing card with a playful touch, which probably explains why it’s one of the higher-priced cards in the set. Still, at around $5 USD, it feels like a pretty good deal for such a standout card.
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#9 Tyranitar ex Ultra Rare (211/197)
Tyranitar is a standout in Obsidian Flames, even gracing the front of booster packs. Among all the Tyranitar cards in this set, the Tyranitar ex Ultra Rare is the most sought-after. Priced at a reasonable $5 USD, the card boasts some intricate crystalline details, and the pose Tyranitar is in is pretty imposing as well.
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#8 Pidgeot ex (164/197)
The Pidgeot ex cards from Obsidian Flames have quickly become some of the most sought-after in the set. With three distinct variations—the standard Pidgeot ex, an Ultra Rare, and the standout Special Illustration Rare—collectors and players alike are vying for them. But it’s not just their artwork that makes them appealing, because the Pidgeot ex are great to play with as well.
The Quick Search ability is nice to have; it lets you sift through your deck to find any card during your turn, though it’s limited to once per turn. On top of that, the Blustery Wind move can help clear the field of any troublesome Stadium cards. All in all, whether you’re looking to boost your deck’s efficiency or simply appreciate the card’s aesthetics, Pidgeot ex are some of the best cards you can pull in Obsidian Flames. The most affordable of the bunch, though, is going to be the Pidgeot ex, which is priced around $6.
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#7 Pidgeot ex Ultra Rare (217/197)
Considering the utility and desirability of the Pidgeot ex cards, it’s easy to why the Pidgeot ex Ultra Rare is in high demand. The deep blue background paired with the wind patterns behind Pidgeot makes this card one of the Obsidian Flames standouts. Pidgeot’s characteristic piercing gaze is a nice touch as well. It’s nice to see Pidgeot being featured so heavily in Obsidian Flames, and this card undoubtedly stands out as one of the set’s biggest highlights. You can pick it up now for around $6 USD.
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#6 Ninetales Illustration Rare (199/197)
The Ninetales Illustration Rare card has this majestic look to it. With Ninetales standing tall in what looks like an enchanted and glowing forest, this card is one of the best in the set. The mix of gold, green, and that touch of orangish red just takes it to another level. It’s easily one of the most memorable designs for Ninetales I’ve ever seen.
Currently, it’s going for roughly $8 USD. Personally, I think that’s a bargain for such a standout card. To me, it ranks among the top in the set, and judging by its position as the sixth priciest card, it seems like others share the same sentiment.
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#5 Pidgeot ex Special Illustration Rare (225/197)
The Pidgeot ex Special Illustration Rare is one of the most stylized and unique Pidgeot cards we’ve ever seen. Its design is a refreshing take, blending old-school vibes with a modern twist, and I’m a big fan of the flat color palette, which makes this card pop and stand out from the rest.
The card is one of the coolest in Obsidian Flames, but it’s playable too. The Quick Search ability lets you pull out any card you need during your turn, though you can only use it once per turn. Plus, Blustery Wind is a great asset to have, especially when there’s a pesky Stadium card you want out of the way. Needless to say, it’s handy to have in your deck.
Whether you enjoy this card’s aesthetics or are looking to add it to your deck, this card is an amazing addition. It may be the fifth most expensive card in Obsdiain Flames, but it’s still affordably priced at around $10 USD if you are looking to pick it up.
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#4 Charizard ex (125/197)
Out of all of the ex cards in Obsidian Flames, the most highly sought-after by far is the Charizard ex. This comes as no surprise, though, because Charizard has always been one of the most popular Pokémon to collect. The Charizard ex card in Obsidian Flames truly stands out with its four distinct variations: the standard ex, which is featured here, Ultra Rare, Hyper Rare, and the Special Illustration Rare. Each one brings something unique to the table in terms of look and design.
The allure of these cards isn’t just limited to their striking visuals; their high playability makes them a favorite among players as well. This card’s ability lets you evolve a Pokémon directly from your hand during your turn. It also allows you to find three Basic [R] Energy cards in your deck and distribute them among your Pokémon however you see fit. After doing so, you’ll reshuffle your deck. Its attack, Burning Darkness, is a force to be reckoned with, dealing an additional 30 damage for every Prize card your opponent has claimed.
It’s no surprise that these four cards make up the top 4 most expensive cards in the Obsidian Flames set with the Charizard ex coming in at #4 at around $22 USD on aftermarket sites.
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#3 Charizard ex Ultra Rare (215/197)
With its silver, crystalline backdrop and shimmering Charizard, the Charizard ex Ultra Rare is breathtaking to look at, especially when you shine it in the light. The detailing, right down to the gem on Charizard’s crown, is incredible. Given its rarity compared to the standard ex and the look of the card, it’s easy to see why it commands a price of roughly $23 USD and stands as the third most expensive card in the set.
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#2 Charizard ex Hyper Rare (228/197)
In Obsidian Flames, the Charizard ex Hyper Rare is a card that stands out, both in terms of rarity and price. Priced at approximately $27 USD, it edges out its Ultra Rare counterpart, even if just by a tad. Though both these versions share identical artwork, what makes the Hyper Rare special is its captivating gold backdrop and accents. This gilded touch, coupled with its reduced pull rate, helps make it the second most expensive card to collect in Obsidian Flames.
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#1 Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare (223/197)
The Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare is arguably the most striking card in Obsidian Flames and it’s the most expensive card in Obsidian Flames by far. It’s illustrated by Akira Egawa, the same artist behind standout cards like the Chi-Yu ex from Paldea Evolved and the VSTAR cards of Palkia, Dialga, Giratina, and Arceus from Crown Zenith. Egawa has a distinct style that sets his work apart, and this Charizard card is another testament to his skill. Pictures simply do not do this card justice.
The card is highly playable as well. Its ability lets you evolve a Pokémon directly from your hand during your turn. It also allows you to find three Basic [R] Energy cards in your deck and distribute them among your Pokémon however you see fit. After doing so, you’ll reshuffle your deck. Its attack, Burning Darkness, is a force to be reckoned with, dealing an additional 30 damage for every Prize card your opponent has claimed. This combination of features makes this card not just coveted, but also a strategic asset in play.
Of course, you can also get these same benefits from the cheaper cards in the set, whether it be the Charizard ex Hyper Rare or Ultra Rare or the standard ex as well, but out of the four, the Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare definitely looks the best.
The Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare is one of the most beautiful cards I’ve seen to date, especially when you see it shine in the light, but it’s highly playable too. For these reasons as well as the card’s rarity, the Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare was fetching a price of around $58 USD on sites like TCGPlayer and, as of now, it’s the most expensive card in Obsidian Flames.
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As of now, these are the most expensive cards in Obsidian Flames that you can collect. If there are any updates in terms of price or noteworthy fluctuations, I will be sure to update this post. I will do my best to continue to report the most accurate fair market value prices possible. If you are looking to open up packs, you can shop Obsidian Flames now at one of the retailers listed below!
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In other news, check out all of the Pokemon TCG releases that are coming in 2023!
