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Best Cards from Obsidian Flames 2026: Ranked Buy List
Obsidian Flames dropped in August 2023 as part of the Scarlet & Violet era, and by 2026 the set has settled into a clear pecking order — a handful of chase cards hold value, a few sleepers finally got respect, and some hyped pulls flattened out. This guide ranks the best cards from Obsidian Flames Pokemon collectors and investors are actually still chasing in 2026.
TL;DR
The Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare is the best card from Obsidian Flames, full stop — it anchors the set's value and still moves at a premium in 2026. Radiant Charizard is the safest secondary buy for display-focused collectors, while Pidgeot ex is the sleeper worth grabbing before it catches up. Skip common Bidoof pulls unless you already own the harder hits. Check current listings at Delightful TCG before you commit to a purchase, since availability on 2023-era singles shifts fast.
Why this matters
Obsidian Flames is a 197-card main set with secret rares pushing past 230, and it was one of the last sets before the Scarlet & Violet Charizard hype cycle peaked. That timing matters. Cards tied to Charizard held their value into 2026 while plenty of other Obsidian Flames pulls — commons, uncommons, even some V-level rares — dropped hard once the initial hype faded. Knowing which four or five cards actually matter saves you from overpaying for a pack pull that looked exciting in 2023 and means nothing on the resale market today.
How this list was ranked
Ranking pulls from three factors: current secondary-market demand as of 2026, pull rate scarcity within the set's Special Illustration Rare and Illustration Rare tiers, and long-term collector interest based on how these cards have traded since release. Cards that spiked and crashed within a year get marked down even if the initial price was high. Cards with steady multi-year demand — the ones that show up in trade threads and grading submissions in 2026, not just 2023 — get the top slots.
The ranked list
1. Charizard ex (Special Illustration Rare) — the crown jewel
Numbered in the 230s within the secret rare run, this is the single most-searched card from the entire set. Raw copies have held in the $180-$260 range through 2026, and graded 10s push well past that. Buy — this is the card that defines the set and it hasn't cooled off in three years.
2. Radiant Charizard — the display piece
A rare Radiant-tier card, not an ex, which makes it the more affordable Charizard entry point without sacrificing the artwork appeal collectors want. It sits meaningfully below the SIR in price but photographs just as well in a binder or frame. Buy — this is the pick if you want a Charizard without the ex-tier price tag.
3. Charizard ex (Double Rare, non-secret) — the budget Charizard
The standard Double Rare Charizard ex from the base pull slots trades at a fraction of the Special Illustration Rare's price, often under $30 raw. It's the version most people actually pull, and it's the one worth grabbing if the SIR is out of budget. Consider — good value, but don't expect it to appreciate the way the chase print does.
4. Pidgeot ex (Special Illustration Rare) — the sleeper
Overlooked at release because it wasn't a Charizard, Pidgeot ex has quietly built a following among collectors chasing full-art bird Pokemon. It's cheaper than the Charizard SIR by a wide margin and demand has ticked up steadily rather than spiking and crashing. Consider — the upside case here is real, and prices from 2023 have room to move before catching up to comparable SIRs.
5. Ting-Lu ex — the competitive holdout
This one matters more to players than collectors. Ting-Lu ex saw play in Standard decks well after the set's release, giving it a demand floor that pure chase cards don't have. If you're building competitively rather than collecting, this is the card from Obsidian Flames worth tracking down in playable condition. Hold — value is stable, not explosive, but the playability keeps it relevant into 2026.
6. Iron Thorns ex — the counter-meta pick
Iron Thorns ex found a niche as a tech card against specific matchups rather than a mainstay, which caps its ceiling but keeps a baseline of demand from players building around the current meta. For meta-relevant deck building it's a reasonable single to have on hand. Hold — worth owning if you play, skippable if you only collect.
7. Pikachu ex — the crowd-pleaser
Pikachu cards move regardless of set strength, and Obsidian Flames' entry is no exception. It won't rival the Charizard SIR in dollar value, but graded copies have found steady buyers among Pikachu-focused collectors — a PSA 10 example is worth comparing prices against if you're weighing raw versus graded on any similar-era Pikachu pull. Buy — reliable demand, low risk.
8. Bidoof (Illustration Rare) — the joke card with real staying power
Bidoof became a meme pull the moment the set released, and the joke turned into actual demand. It won't outprice a Charizard, but it consistently sells for more than a common Illustration Rare has any right to. Consider — fun to own, don't expect it to carry a portfolio.
Comparison table
| Card | Rarity Tier | 2026 Price Trend | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charizard ex | Special Illustration Rare | Strong, stable | Buy |
| Radiant Charizard | Radiant Rare | Stable | Buy |
| Charizard ex | Double Rare | Flat | Consider |
| Pidgeot ex | Special Illustration Rare | Rising slowly | Consider |
| Ting-Lu ex | Ex (competitive) | Stable | Hold |
| Iron Thorns ex | Ex (competitive) | Flat | Hold |
| Pikachu ex | Ex | Stable | Buy |
| Bidoof | Illustration Rare | Slightly rising | Consider |
Where to buy
- Buy Charizard ex and Radiant Charizard from sellers who show clear photos of the actual card, not stock images — condition on Illustration Rares is easy to misrepresent.
- Cross-check any graded slab's certification number directly with the grading company's lookup tool before paying a premium over raw price.
- For sealed product tied to this era, compare against recent set pulls to gauge whether opening versus buying singles makes more sense for your budget in 2026.
FAQ
What is the best card from Obsidian Flames? The Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare is the best card from Obsidian Flames, holding the strongest and most consistent demand of any single in the set through 2026.
Is Radiant Charizard worth more than Charizard ex? No — Radiant Charizard trades below the Special Illustration Rare Charizard ex, but it's a strong lower-cost alternative with similar visual appeal.
How many cards are in the Obsidian Flames set? The main set totals 197 cards, with secret rares extending numbering into the 230s.
Are Obsidian Flames cards still worth buying in 2026? Yes, selectively — the Charizard-linked cards and a few competitive ex cards hold value, but most commons and standard rares from the set have flattened.
Is Pidgeot ex a good investment from this set? Pidgeot ex is the strongest sleeper pick from Obsidian Flames — demand has risen steadily since 2023 without the early spike-and-crash pattern seen on hyped pulls.
Does Ting-Lu ex still see competitive play in 2026? Ting-Lu ex remains a relevant Standard-format piece for some deck archetypes, which keeps its price floor steadier than pure collector cards.
Should I open packs or buy singles for this set? Buying singles is the more predictable route for chasing specific cards like the Charizard ex SIR, since pull rates on Special Illustration Rares are low even across full boxes.
Is Bidoof from Obsidian Flames actually valuable? Bidoof trades higher than a typical Illustration Rare thanks to meme-driven demand, but it's a fun pickup rather than a serious value hold.
One last thing
The card that surprises new collectors most isn't the Charizard — it's Bidoof. A joke pull from 2023 still outperforming plenty of serious Illustration Rares from the same set says more about how this hobby actually moves than any spreadsheet does. Chase the Charizard for value, grab the Bidoof for the story.