On April 10th, the Pokémon TCG will undergo standard rotation, meaning all cards marked with regulation mark G (those released from the March 2023 set, Scarlet and Violet, to the January 2024 set, Paldean Fates) will no longer be playable. However, many variants of the rotating Charizard ex card from the August 2023 set, Obsidian Flames, have seen a remarkable increase in value over the past month.
Like other Charizard cards from nearly all Pokémon sets, the Charizard ex from Obsidian Flames features various artistic designs.
The Special Illustration Rare print from Obsidian Flames has recently surged in value, rising from $84 (£64) to $115 (£87) in just one month.
Additionally, the Special Illustration Rare reprint from Paldean Fates has experienced an even more dramatic increase, climbing over $50 (£38) from an average of $226 (£171) to $279 (£211) over the past month.
This trend is mirrored across other versions of the card, including its Ultra Rare and Hyper Rare printings, which have also seen an uptick in value since March.
The only exception is the regular art treatment, which has decreased in value from $6.47 to $5.16.
This highlights an interesting phenomenon within the Pokémon TCG realm: while competitive players focus on cards relevant to current gameplay, collectors pursue valuable variants without concerns about rotation. As the standard version of Charizard ex rotates out, players are likely to move away from it, while collectors eagerly seek out foil versions for their collections.
How is the rotation influencing your Pokémon TCG strategies? Share your thoughts in the Wargamer Discord.
For those interested in enduring staples that aren’t affected by rotation, check out our list of rare Pokémon cards.
