Obsidian Flames Set Review – Did the Charizard Set Deliver?
When Obsidian Flames launched in August 2023, it immediately grabbed headlines:
Four different Charizards, a new Terastallized Darkness-type Charizard ex, and the promise of a collector feeding frenzy.
But in April 2025, the verdict is much clearer — and more complicated.
Did Obsidian Flames live up to the hype, or has it faded into the background like so many “Charizard sets” before it?
📦 Set Overview
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| 📅 Release Date | August 11, 2023 |
| 🧩 Set Size | 197 cards + Secret Rares |
| 🎨 Key Mechanic | Terastallization (type-swapping Pokémon with crystal aesthetics) |
| 🐲 Major Chase | Darkness-type Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare (SIR) |
This was the first major Scarlet & Violet expansion marketed almost entirely around a single Pokémon.
💰 Top Chase Card Prices (April 2025)
| Card | Type | Raw Price | PSA 10 Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charizard ex (Dark Tera, SIR) | Alt-Art/SIR | ~$90 | ~$250 |
| Charizard ex (Full Art) | Ultra Rare | ~$30 | ~$80 |
| Dragonite ex (SIR) | Alt-Art/SIR | ~$20 | ~$65 |
| Pidgeot ex (SIR) | Alt-Art/SIR | ~$12 | ~$35 |
| Revavroom ex (SIR) | Alt-Art/SIR | ~$8 | ~$25 |
- 📉 Only one true $75+ raw card — Charizard ex SIR
- 🧠 Minor chase cards (Dragonite, Pidgeot) hold modest niche appeal
📈 Sealed Product Prices (April 2025)
| Product | Release MSRP | Current Market Price |
|---|---|---|
| Booster Box | $143.64 | ~$115–125 |
| ETB | $49.99 | ~$45–50 |
- 📦 Sealed boxes are underperforming compared to other recent Scarlet & Violet sets like 151 and Paldean Fates.
- 🧊 Overprinted heavily due to Charizard hype.
🧠 Strengths
- 🐉 Charizard name value still draws casual collectors
- ✨ Dark Terastallization gimmick is unique and visually interesting
- 🧩 Alt-arts are clean and collector-friendly — lower cartooniness than early SV sets
🧊 Weaknesses
- 📉 Only one major chase = weak box opening value
- 🔁 Charizard fatigue after Crown Zenith, Celebrations, Obsidian Flames
- 📦 Massive print run floods the market, suppressing sealed premium
📊 How It Compares to Other Modern Sets (April 2025)
| Set | Chase Strength | Sealed Value | Collector Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obsidian Flames | 🟡 Good (Charizard) | 🟡 Low-moderate | 🟡 Fair |
| Paldean Fates | 🟢 Shiny Vault | 🟢 Rising | 🟢 Wide |
| Scarlet & Violet Base | ⚪ Weak | ⚪ Weak | ⚪ Weak |
| 151 | 🔴 Very Strong | 🔴 High | 🔴 Deep |
- 🧠 Obsidian Flames sits firmly in the middle tier of Scarlet & Violet sets
📈 Investment Take (April 2025)
| Horizon | View | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Short-Term | ⚪ Soft | Sealed and singles still saturated |
| Mid-Term | 🟡 Mild upside | Depends on Scarlet & Violet nostalgia wave |
| Long-Term | 🟡 Collectible, not elite | Sealed ETBs may eventually rise — booster boxes less likely |
🧵 Final Thoughts
Obsidian Flames isn’t a bust — but it’s not a banger either.
It’s a perfectly serviceable Charizard set that will likely hold nostalgic appeal but struggle to reach the legendary heights of Evolving Skies, Hidden Fates, or even 151.
For serious collectors: owning the Darkness Tera Charizard ex SIR makes sense.
For investors: sealed might be a slow burn — not a moonshot.
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