Opening Pokémon cards is a gamble, but buying a whole box can up your chances of snagging some rare cards. I got to open a full box of the Pokémon TCG’s new Obsidian Flames set before it hits shelves on August 11. Let me tell you, we found some gems.
Thanks to an early drop from The Pokémon Company, I opened 36 packs of Obsidian Flames. Everyone’s hyped about one card in this set: Charizard ex. Since Charizard is a fan favorite, its cards are always in demand. The Special Illustration Rare version, which highlights the Dark Tera Typing, is the one to watch.
Turning My Luck Around
My luck wasn’t great with the last two Pokémon TCG sets, but this time, things changed. Right off the bat, I landed some gold—literally. Although I didn’t snag the top-tier Charizard everyone wants, I did get the Hyper Gold Rare Charizard ex. It’s about $100 less than the illustrious Special Illustration Rare but still looks fantastic.
I knew things were looking up when I found an Illustrator Rare Scizor in my first pack. That awesome start led to other great finds like IR Pidgey and IR Bellibolt.
Stunning Pulls
The Obsidian Flame Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare, valued at $280 pre-launch, is the crown jewel of this set. Even though it eluded me, I did snag its golden cousin and several other incredible cards. Among them was a Full Art Tyranitar ex, easily my favorite non-Charizard find.
While I found only one notable Trainer card, a Full Art Ortega, the box was not short on Double Rare ex Pokémon like Greedent.
Competitive Picks
Aside from Charizard and full art cards, keep an eye out for cards that could shake up competitive play. Charizard ex can deal massive damage, Eiscue ex blocks opponent attacks, and Pigeot ex can search for any card in your deck. Other notable mentions include Palafin, Scizor, Cryagonal, and Lunatone, which can nullify Stadium card effects. Also, don’t miss out on Glimmora ex, Toedscruel ex, and Revavroom ex.
Trainer cards like Geeta, Ortega, and Poppy are also treasure finds with their higher rarities. They offer great support on the field, especially Geeta, who lets you search for two Basic Energy and attach them directly to any Pokémon.
Pokémon League Headquarters, Artazon, and Town Store are among the solid Stadium picks in Obsidian Flames. With many cards countering Stadium strategies, these picks stand out.
Pokémon TCG: Obsidian Flames drops on August 11. Players are already setting their sights on upcoming sets, including Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet 151. Get ready to hunt for your own treasure trove of cards!