Obsidian Flames: A New Expansion for the Pokemon TCG
Obsidian Flames, the new expansion for the Pokemon TCG, has a lot going for it. It's similar to the lackluster Darkness Ablaze set, except that this time around, the expansion includes a lot more content for players and collectors.
The most notable addition is a Charizard VMAX card, which is the first of its kind for the fire Pokemon.
Unlike Darkness Ablaze, which became the least desirable set of the Sword & Shield era, Obsidian Flames offers a fire-themed set that includes multiple rare versions of Charizard. The Darkness Ablaze Charizard VMAX, by comparison, is the only card of its kind in the set, making its value skyrocket despite the set being overall underwhelming. The Darkness Ablaze Charizard is a Fire-type with 200 HP and a Retreat Cost of two, but its Ability prevents players from using any Abilities while it's on the field.
The new Obsidian Flames Tera Pokemon ex version of Charizard is immune to damage while on the bench, similar to Umbreon ex. This Charizard is also the first type-shifted Tera Pokemon, appearing as a Dark-type instead of Fire-type. The set also includes a double rare, ultra rare full art, special illustration rare, and hyper rare gold version, making it the most desirable Charizard cards to date.
The rest of the set is also impressive. There are multiple rare versions of Nintetales, Pidgey, and Lechonk, with Pidgeot ex also receiving a special illustration card. All of these cards are impressive, but nothing comes close to the allure of the Charizard cards, which strike a balance between beautiful illustration cards and playable options that Darkness Ablaze lacked.
The Pidgeot ex card could be the most notable of the bunch, as its Quick Search ability could have a big impact on the meta. Being able to draw any card from your deck at any time can help you formulate a winning strategy in a pinch, especially if you're down on resources. Toedscruel ex's Protective Mycelium could be useful as well, as countering decks that rely on specific abilities could be a big boon.
While Darkness Ablaze was a letdown, Obsidian Flames looks like a success for the Scarlet & Violet series. The set strikes a balance between beautiful illustration cards and playable options that Darkness Ablaze lacked, and the Charizard cards alone make the set a must-have for collectors.
Not only does the new set offer beautiful cards, but it also includes an Umbreon card, making up for the lack of an Eevee card in the previous set. While Darkness Ablaze will likely be forgotten quickly due to the 151 expansion, Obsidian Flames will undoubtedly be a set that collectors keep their eyes on.
