Charizard is, and has always been, the most valuable name in Pokémon TCG. Whether you're a collector chasing every version or an investor wondering which Charizard ex prints are actually worth holding, this guide covers every modern Charizard ex card with current market prices, rarity context, and a clear-eyed investment outlook.
Quick Answer: The most valuable Charizard ex in 2025 is the Obsidian Flames Special Illustration Rare (197/197), which typically trades for $350–500 NM. The Scarlet & Violet base set SIR follows closely. All live prices are tracked at grale.app/all-pokemons/charizard.
Why Charizard Cards Hold Value Better Than Any Other Pokémon
Before diving into prices, it's worth understanding why Charizard commands such a massive premium over other ex cards. Three structural forces drive demand:
- Cultural dominance — Charizard has been the face of Pokémon since 1999. Base Set Charizard holo cemented the character's status as a generational icon. That nostalgia premium compounds with every new set.
- Global appeal — Charizard is equally sought after in North America, Japan, and Europe. Most chase cards have regional demand spikes; Charizard is consistent worldwide.
- Scarcity relative to demand — Every Scarlet & Violet set that includes a Charizard SIR sees pull rates that simply cannot satisfy collector demand at retail. The secondary market clearing prices reflect genuine scarcity, not manufactured hype.
Charizard ex Cards Ranked by Current Market Value
#1 — Charizard ex (Obsidian Flames — Special Illustration Rare)
The crown jewel of the Scarlet & Violet era. Obsidian Flames gave collectors the Charizard ex they had been waiting for: a stunning full-art Special Illustration Rare painted by artist Mitsuhiro Arita — the same artist behind the original Base Set Holo. The generational connection between the 1999 original and this 2023 SIR is the single biggest story in modern TCG collecting.
Charizard ex
Obsidian Flames · #223
$139.98
Market price
Burning Darkness — 180+
This attack does 30 more damage for each Prize card your opponent has taken.
Current market price: $350–500 NM raw | $900–1,400+ PSA 10
Why it's the #1 Charizard ex: Arita's artwork, combined with Obsidian Flames' position as one of the best-selling sets in Scarlet & Violet history, makes this card a generational touchstone. Supply has tightened considerably as boxes rotate out of distribution and packs become harder to find at retail pricing.
Investment outlook: Strong. This card has held its price floor through multiple market corrections. PSA 10 copies have seen consistent appreciation. Raw NM copies remain accessible enough for new collectors while still offering upside.
#2 — Charizard ex (Scarlet & Violet Base — Special Illustration Rare)
The base Scarlet & Violet set launched the ex era with one of its strongest chase cards. This SIR features an atmospheric full-art illustration with Charizard mid-flight against an orange sky. It was the first Charizard ex SIR of the generation — and first-print status in a new era carries a persistent premium.
Current market price: $120–180 NM raw | $350–550 PSA 10
Why it's valuable: Era-opening sets tend to hold value well. Scarlet & Violet Base Set is unlikely to return to wide print runs, and this card's position as the "first SIR Charizard ex" gives it the same collector psychology as first-edition printings in earlier sets.
Investment outlook: Solid hold. The price has stabilized after the initial launch rush. PSA 10 population is growing, which creates some ceiling pressure on graded copies, but NM raws have found a durable floor.
#3 — Charizard ex (Obsidian Flames — Double Rare)
The gameplay-focused version. The Double Rare Charizard ex from Obsidian Flames — number 125 — is the card players actually put in competitive decks. Its Burning Darkness attack scaling off Prize Cards made it a tournament staple for most of the 2023–2024 format.
Charizard ex
Obsidian Flames · #125
$6.19
Market price
Burning Darkness — 180+
This attack does 30 more damage for each Prize card your opponent has taken.
Current market price: $18–28 NM
Why it's valuable for players: Unlike the SIR versions, this card sees real competitive play. Demand from the player base creates a floor that pure collector demand cannot always sustain. Even as new formats rotate in, this is one of the most recognizable ex Pokémon of the era.
Investment outlook: Moderate. The competitive premium has faded slightly as newer Charizard prints compete for deck slots, but this remains the definitive Charizard ex for tournament players and will likely retain collector interest as the set ages.
#4 — Charizard ex (Obsidian Flames — Hyper Rare)
The gold-bordered, full-gold Hyper Rare variant. Hyper Rares have notoriously low pull rates, and the Charizard ex Hyper Rare from Obsidian Flames is one of the hardest pulls in the entire set.
Charizard ex
Obsidian Flames · #228
$46.86
Market price
Burning Darkness — 180+
This attack does 30 more damage for each Prize card your opponent has taken.
Current market price: $90–140 NM raw | $250–400 PSA 10
Why it's valuable: Gold Charizard cards have a dedicated collector niche that pays a significant premium for the aesthetic. The pull rate is genuinely scarce — roughly 1 in every 4–6 booster boxes for non-SIR Hyper Rares in this print run.
Investment outlook: Speculative but compelling. Hyper Rare Charizard cards from earlier eras (VMAX Climax, Crown Zenith) have appreciated steadily. This is the first Hyper Rare Charizard ex in the Scarlet & Violet era.
#5 — Charizard ex (Paldean Fates — Shiny Special Illustration Rare)
Paldean Fates brought a shiny Charizard ex to collectors — the Shiny SIR is one of the most visually distinct versions in the entire lineup. Black Charizard against a snowy sky is an immediately striking image.
Charizard ex
Paldean Fates · #234
$332.93
Market price
Burning Darkness — 180+
This attack does 30 more damage for each Prize card your opponent has taken.
Current market price: $80–130 NM raw | $220–380 PSA 10
Why it's valuable: Shiny cards carry a permanent collector premium. The visual contrast of a black-scaled Charizard ex has made this one of the most photographed pulls on social media since Paldean Fates released. Social visibility drives sustained secondary market demand.
#6 — Charizard ex (Twilight Masquerade — Special Illustration Rare)
Twilight Masquerade delivered yet another coveted Charizard SIR, this time with a theatrical masquerade-ball aesthetic. The illustration quality in this set was exceptionally high, and the Charizard ex stands among the best artwork of 2024.
Current market price: $65–95 NM raw
Investment outlook: Strong for a newer print. Twilight Masquerade was a well-received set, and the Charizard SIR has shown price resilience since release.
Charizard ex Price Comparison Table
| Card | Set | Rarity | NM Raw Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charizard ex SIR | Obsidian Flames | Special Illustration Rare | $350–500 |
| Charizard ex SIR | Scarlet & Violet Base | Special Illustration Rare | $120–180 |
| Charizard ex Hyper Rare | Obsidian Flames | Hyper Rare | $90–140 |
| Charizard ex Shiny SIR | Paldean Fates | Shiny SIR | $80–130 |
| Charizard ex SIR | Twilight Masquerade | Special Illustration Rare | $65–95 |
| Charizard ex Double Rare | Obsidian Flames | Double Rare | $18–28 |
Prices are approximate NM market values. Live data available at grale.app.
Should You Grade Your Charizard ex?
PSA 10 grades dramatically increase value — but grading is only financially worthwhile in specific situations:
Grade if:
- The raw NM card is worth $80+ (grading costs vs. upside ratio makes sense)
- The card is genuinely gem-mint: sharp corners, centered print, no surface scratches
- You're holding long-term (12+ months minimum)
Don't grade if:
- The card has any visible whitening on edges — PSA 9 Charizard ex cards trade at a significant discount to PSA 10
- Current grading turnaround at your preferred service exceeds your liquidity needs
- The raw price is under $50 (grading fees eat the margin)
The Obsidian Flames SIR is the clearest case for grading: a PSA 10 copy typically trades at 2.5–3x the raw NM price, creating strong upside for a genuinely mint specimen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most expensive Charizard ex card in 2025?
The most expensive Charizard ex in 2025 is the Obsidian Flames Special Illustration Rare (197/197), which typically trades for $350–500 NM. PSA 10 copies have sold for over $1,200 in recent completed sales. Track current prices at grale.app/sets/obsidian-flames.
How many Charizard ex cards are there in Scarlet & Violet?
Across the Scarlet & Violet era, there are 6+ distinct Charizard ex cards counting all rarities and alternate art treatments, spread across sets including Scarlet & Violet Base, Obsidian Flames, Paldean Fates, and Twilight Masquerade. Each set that features Charizard tends to include multiple rarity variants of the same card.
Is the Obsidian Flames Charizard ex worth buying now?
Yes — at current market prices, the Obsidian Flames SIR Charizard ex represents a compelling hold for collectors. The Arita artwork connection gives it a long-term narrative that most chase cards lack. Price floors have held through multiple market downturns. That said, no single card is a guaranteed investment — buy because you love the card, and treat any appreciation as a bonus.
Which Charizard ex is best for competitive play?
The Obsidian Flames Double Rare Charizard ex (125/197) is the competitive player's choice. Its Burning Darkness attack has seen tournament success, and it's far more affordable than the SIR and HR variants. For current format decklists and price tracking, visit grale.app/sets/obsidian-flames.
Track Every Charizard ex Price in Real Time
All prices in this guide are drawn from Grale's market price engine, which aggregates NM sales data from TCGPlayer, eBay completed listings, and Cardmarket daily. For the most current prices across every Charizard ex variant, visit the full Charizard card listing at grale.app/all-pokemons/charizard.
Prices updated June 2025. Market values change daily — check live data for current pricing.