Charizard ex Obsidian Flames: price and market value 2024

If you're interested in the Charizard ex Obsidian Flames price, you're in the right place. The 223/197 card from the SV03 set, a Special Illustration Rare of the Darkness type signed by AKIRA EGAWA, is arguably one of the most discussed pieces of the Scarlet & Violet era. Its out-of-set number, its full-page illustration and Charizard's iconic status make it a natural target for collectors. But since its launch in August 2023, its value has followed a particular trajectory. Before investing or selling, here's everything you need to know.

The Obsidian Flames set (SV03): context

Obsidian Flames, Obsidian Flames in English, is the third set in the Scarlet & Violet block. It released in August 2023 simultaneously in France and the United States, which was relatively rare and facilitated trading between markets.

The set introduces a concept central to its identity: Tera Pokémon of the Darkness type. Concretely, Pokémon usually associated with other types here sport a dark crystallization, changing their affinity and their aesthetic. This is precisely the case with this Charizard ex, normally a Fire type, transformed into a Darkness type via the Tera mechanic.

With 230 numbered cards in the base set, and several out-of-set cards exceeding that total, Obsidian Flames is a dense set. It contains many Illustration Rares and Special Illustration Rares, but the Charizard ex 223/197 remained the main chase card from the very first boxes opened.

The card in detail

• Number: 223/197 (out-of-set, meaning it can only be obtained via certain boosters or specific products)
• Rarity: Special Illustration Rare (SIR)
• Artist: AKIRA EGAWA, also credited under the studio name aky CG Works
• Type: Darkness
• Status: Tera Pokémon ex

AKIRA EGAWA's illustration occupies the entire surface of the card, with no inner frame, that's the visual signature of SIRs in the Scarlet & Violet era. It shows Charizard in a powerful pose, bathed in dark, purple tones that highlight its Tera Darkness transformation. The CG rendering is detailed, almost cinematic, with a depth of field that gives the impression the Pokémon is literally coming out of the card.

Not to be confused with the other versions of Charizard ex in the same set:

• 125/197: Double Rare (classic holo)
• 215/197: Ultra Rare Full Art
• 228/197: Hyper Rare Gold (golden card)

Each has its own market value. The 223/197 remains the most prized of the four in terms of collectible value.

Market value analysis and current prices

Since its launch, the Charizard ex Obsidian Flames price has followed a notable downward curve. At its peak, the card traded well above the €100 mark raw. Today, the market has stabilized at a markedly lower level, with a drop estimated at around 75% from the peak according to the available aggregated data.

Note: these prices are estimates based on recent transactions observed on CardMarket and eBay. Check these platforms for live quotes before any purchase or sale.

The gap between a raw card and a PSA 10 remains significant, between 2× and 4× depending on the starting quality. This reflects the usual premium on graded Charizards, but also the fact that PSA 10s on this card are not plentiful: the textured printing of SIRs is sensitive to micro-scratches, which penalizes many copies during grading.

The valuation factors

Charizard's popularity: This is probably factor number one. Charizard is the most collected Pokémon in the world, across all generations. Every new card bearing its likeness creates structural demand, independent of the set.

SIR rarity: Special Illustration Rares appear very rarely in boosters. In Obsidian Flames, the SIRs are spread across several cards, which slightly dilutes the probability of pulling this one specifically.

The Tera Darkness mechanic: The "Darkness-type Charizard" aspect is a strong conceptual originality. This isn't just one more Charizard, it's a thematically distinct version, which gives it added appeal for collectors seeking to complete thematic sets.

The competitive aspect: In Standard format, Charizard ex was played in several archetypes. Even though its competitive impact doesn't on its own justify the collectible market value, it keeps the card visible in the community.

Print status: Obsidian Flames is a set in standard print, no reprint announced for the out-of-set SIRs at this stage. The stock available on the secondary market is therefore what it is, even if the price drop since launch indicates that supply remains above current demand.

Should you buy this card?

Arguments for

• The ~75% drop from the peak means the launch premium has largely been absorbed. You're no longer buying a card in release euphoria.
• At €40-90 raw, you access a visually strong piece with a subject (Charizard) whose demand has historically tended to hold over the long term.
• If you're aiming for a PSA 10 and have an eye for assessing the quality of raw cards, the margin between raw and graded still offers an interesting lever.

Some caveats

• The market for Scarlet & Violet SIRs is still in a stabilization phase. Other sets have released their own Charizard ex and chase cards, which dilutes attention.
• The PSA 10 grade at €150-250 is not guaranteed: a card damaged in transit or presenting factory defects (frequent on textured SIRs) can fall back to raw value.
• This isn't a card with ultra-limited supply like a tournament promo or a printing error, thousands of copies circulate on the market.

Practical advice

Now is a more reasonable time to buy this card for your collection than at launch. Prioritize a verified near-mint copy on CardMarket with photos, or an audited lot. If you're considering grading, only submit cards with no scratches on the black of the edges, that's the critical control point on this card.

Conclusion

The Charizard ex 223/197 from Obsidian Flames remains a solid collectible card in the Scarlet & Violet era: out-of-set number, full-page illustration signed by AKIRA EGAWA, original Tera Darkness concept. Its market value has corrected sharply since launch, which makes it more accessible, but also less speculative in the short term.

To track its price evolution in real time and integrate it into your collection with a precise valuation, PokeItem lets you scan, value and track your physical cards directly from your mobile. A concrete tool for collecting methodically.