The latest Pokémon Trading Card Game set, Phantasmal Flames, has arrived, featuring a highly sought-after Mega Charizard X card in Special Illustration Rare and gold foil variants priced at $600 and $800 respectively. This November release continues the trend of Charizard-driven hype while offering improved pull rates compared to previous sets. However, pack scarcity remains a challenge for collectors.
Set Overview
Phantasmal Flames, the newest expansion in the Pokémon TCG's Scarlet & Violet era, was released amid ongoing discussions about the hobby's controversies, including scarcity issues. As a traditional November set, it spotlights Mega Charizard X, the blue mega-evolved form, in two premium versions: a stunning Special Illustration Rare and a rare gold foil. These cards have quickly escalated in value, fetching $600 for the SIR and $800 for the gold foil, driven by scalpers and enthusiast demand.
Pull Rates and Accessibility
The set introduces better pull rates for high-rarity cards. From 55 packs provided by The Pokémon Company, reviewers pulled 24 ex or better cards, with 13 being full art or higher—a significant improvement over the prior three years of Scarlet & Violet sets, reducing the chance of 'dud packs' to about 50:50. However, Special Illustration Rares (SIRs) remain exceptionally rare, with only five in this smaller set. This shift has kept most SIR prices in check, unlike the previous Mega Evolution set where they reached $300 each.
Chase Card Prices
Beyond the Charizards, values drop sharply. Dawn’s SIR sells for $60, while the Ultra Rare Mega Charizard X ex goes for around $57. Other SIRs, including Mega Sharpedo ex and Rotom ex, hover at $30, reflecting lower collector interest in those Pokémon despite strong artwork. The set's Illustration Rares shine with affordable art highlights like Zacian, Piplup ($19), Flygon, Wooper, Togedemaru, Ludicolo, and Ambipom, most under $10. Meowth IR stands out at $30. Basic versions of chase cards, such as regular Mega Charizard X ex, cost under $5, making them playable without breaking the bank—assuming packs are available amid shortages.
Market Implications
This pricing pattern suggests collectors are primarily targeting Charizards, sidelining other SIRs. Compared to Mega Evolution's top tenth card at $50, Phantasmal Flames offers better value for non-Charizard pursuits, though the gold foils' rarity could inflate prices over time. The focus on playability underscores that most cards remain accessible for deck-building.