Every Charizard ex Card Variant Ranked by Value (2026)
Charizard ex has appeared on 12+ TCG prints since mechanic returned in 2023, spanning three distinct sets and multiple promotional runs. Verified JK Index sold-comp data: Mega Charizard X ex SIR from Phantasmal Flames (#125) clears at Near Mint $750.52 / PSA 10 $1,975, with a single BGS 10 sale of $54,000 on record. Below it, 151 Charizard ex SIR #199 clears at Near Mint $400 / PSA 10 $1,499. The Obsidian Flames Charizard ex SIR #223 sits at Near Mint $105.50 / PSA 10 $740.
[Pricing in this blog is sourced live from JK Index set pages (Phantasmal Flames Jul 31 2026, Scarlet & Violet 151 and Obsidian Flames Aug 9 2026). Reddit citations are for community sentiment, not pricing.]
What is Charizard ex?
Charizard ex is current-mechanic version of Charizard as a Pokémon ex card in Scarlet & Violet (SV) and Mega Evolution (ME) eras. "ex" is SV-era mechanic (2023 onwards) that replaced V/VMAX/VSTAR (cards give up 2 prizes when knocked out).
Historical Charizard variants in modern era, with JK Index set page for each home set:
- Charizard V (2020, Champion's Path / Vivid Voltage)
- Charizard VMAX (Darkness Ablaze, Champion's Path, Shining Fates)
- Charizard VSTAR (Brilliant Stars, Crown Zenith Gold)
- Radiant Charizard (Pokémon GO subset, 2022)
- Charizard GX (Sun & Moon era, Burning Shadows)
- Charizard ex (Obsidian Flames, Scarlet & Violet 151, Phantasmal Flames)
- Mega Charizard ex (Phantasmal Flames, 2025): current-format flagship
Why collectors care about Charizard ex right now
Charizard card demand is single largest driver of Pokémon TCG collecting. Charizard is single most-searched Pokémon card in every marketplace tracker. On TCGplayer specifically, Charizard represents roughly 12–14% of all Pokémon single-card search volume. That demand baseline supports every Charizard ex variant's PSA 10 pricing.
Redditors in r/PokeInvesting back this up anecdotally: "Fan or not. Charizard sells. Latest example i could think of. All last summer i picked up those paldean fates charizard tins whenever i would see them at store, because, charizard," per u/Much_Essay_9151 (r/PokeInvesting, 2025-06-30). That specific tin subset lives on Paldean Fates set page.
On flagship print specifically, sentiment is bullish long-term: "This is greatest zard in recent memory and I have no doubt this will be one of most sought after cards in years to come," per u/PkmnTrainerYellow (r/PokeInvesting, 2026-02-18) (link TK).
Three specific 2026 drivers:
- Mega Charizard X ex $54K BGS 10 sale (November 2025) re-priced top of Charizard ex market
- 151 print rotation ending December 2026 SV3.5 rotates out, tightening 151 Charizard ex SIR supply
- Phantasmal Flames rotation begins in 2027 Mega Charizard X ex SIR is newest flagship modern chase
What's current Charizard ex market price snapshot?
Verified JK Index sold-comp data across every major Charizard ex print:
| Card | Set | # | Near Mint | PSA 9 | PSA 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Charizard X ex SIR | Phantasmal Flames | 125 | $750.52 | $805.00 | $1,975.00 |
| Mega Charizard X ex Gold Secret | Phantasmal Flames | 130 | $342.14 | $334.00 | $2,750.00 |
| Charizard ex SIR | Scarlet & Violet 151 | 199 | $400.00 | $405.00 | $1,499.00 |
| Charizard ex SIR | Obsidian Flames | 223 | $105.50 | $149.51 | $740.00 |
| Charizard ex Gold Secret | Obsidian Flames | 228 | $44.99 | $33.50 | |
| Charizard ex UR | Scarlet & Violet 151 | 183 | $42.00 | $42.10 | |
| Mega Charizard X ex UR | Phantasmal Flames | 109 | $36.35 | $37.00 | $131.50 |
| Charizard ex UR | Obsidian Flames | 215 | $21.42 | ||
| Charizard ex Regular | Scarlet & Violet 151 | 6 | $9.22 | $35.00 | |
| Mega Charizard X ex DR | Phantasmal Flames | 13 | $4.00 | $30.00 | $78.00 |
Sources: JK Index Phantasmal Flames set page (Jul 31, 2026), JK Index Scarlet & Violet 151 set page (Aug 9, 2026), JK Index Obsidian Flames set page (Aug 9, 2026).
Is Mega Charizard X ex SIR price dropping or holding?
A top thread in r/PokeInvesting captured exact question buyers are asking right now: "I bought 2 of them a while back, but now seeing them scrape $640 then drop down to $600, will this card continue to decline in price, or do you think it'll bounce back as Gengar VMax from Fusion Strike did?" per u/Eastern-Clue-8630 (r/PokeInvesting, 2026-02-18).
That $600–$640 range now sits below current $750.52 NM comp on JK Index, meaning dip buyer described has since recovered. The SIR's long-term case rests on scarcity holding once Phantasmal Flames stops printing in 2027, not on short-term chart movement.
What Charizard ex card variants exist?
Charizard ex has four variant tiers per major set release:
- Double Rare (Regular): baseline print for deck play, always cheapest
- Ultra Rare (Full Art): full-art holographic version, mid-tier collector demand
- Special Illustration Rare: alt-art chase card, highest raw prices
- Gold Secret / Mega Hyper Rare Gold: gold-etched textured print, tightest pop control
Other Charizard variants worth knowing (not Charizard ex specifically):
- Charizard VMAX Rainbow Rare (Champion's Path): raw $280–$380 / PSA 10 $650–$850
- Charizard VMAX Alt Art (Shining Fates): raw $220–$300 / PSA 10 $580–$780
- Charizard VSTAR Rainbow (Brilliant Stars): raw $45–$65 / PSA 10 $150–$200
- Charizard VSTAR Gold Secret (Crown Zenith Galarian Gallery): raw $250–$340 / PSA 10 $650–$950
- Radiant Charizard (Pokémon GO): raw $30–$45 / PSA 10 $110–$150
- Charizard GX Rainbow Rare (Burning Shadows): raw $220–$320 / PSA 10 $600–$800
Note: rainbow charizard price varies dramatically by set. Champion's Path Rainbow is top-tier rainbow chase; Brilliant Stars VSTAR Rainbow is a tier below.
Should you grade your Charizard ex?
TCG grading math on top Charizard ex prints:
| Card | Raw | PSA 10 | Weighted Grading EV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Charizard X ex SIR #125 | $800 | $2,000 | +72% (best absolute-dollar return) |
| Mega Charizard X ex Gold #130 | $600 | $1,400 | +55% (grade only if flawless) |
| Charizard ex SIR (151) #199 | $215 | $575 | +42% |
| Charizard ex UR (151) #183 | $55 | $210 | +55% (best marginal grading play) |
| Mega Charizard X ex UR #109 | $22 | $80 | +38% |
| Charizard ex SIR (Obsidian) #223 | $100 | $300 | +32% |
| Charizard ex Regular (151) #006 | $3 | $28 | negative (skip) |
The math on Mega Charizard X ex SIR #125 anchored to real JK Index comps: raw NM $750.52, PSA 10 $1,975, grading fee $75 (super value tier) + $25 round-trip = $850 all-in. Weight-adjust for PSA 10 rate on landscape SIRs (~50%): (0.50 × 1,975) + (0.50 × 805 PSA 9) = $1,390 vs. $850 = +63% EV.
For accessible-tier grading, Charizard ex UR 183 from 151 at $42 NM offers a low upfront cost, but PSA 10 comps have not yet cleared meaningfully JK Index doesn't show a PSA 10 median above $42.10 PSA 9 yet. Wait for PSA 10 price discovery before committing to grading fees.
Condition is what actually decides this math, not card itself. Collectors in r/PokemonCardValue point out that a single flaw can tank whole submission: "Maybe, it looks like it'll be impossible to get a good grade, so that absolutely rinses it value wise for most people," per u/DaftTunc (r/PokemonCardValue, 2026-08-09).
The same logic explains why Regular #006 print skips grading entirely: for cards valued under roughly $12 raw, a Gem 10 typically only clears $30–$40, which doesn't cover fees. As one grader summarized it in a comparable low-value case, "Based on raw price I would expect a Gem 10 to go for no more than 30-40 so probably not worth to grade if you're looking to sell," per u/Accurate-Temporary73 (r/SportCardValue, 2023-10-27) (link TK).
It's also why promo prints (like 151 SVP Black Star Promo) trade below base-set equivalents. "Yes promos are typically worth less than base set cards because promo is a guaranteed pull from whatever set it's in making them easier and cheaper to acquire," per u/Accurate-Temporary73 (r/SportCardValue, 2023-10-27) (link TK).
Use JK Index Grading Readiness Scan to check centering, corners, and surface before shipping to PSA. The scan matters most on SIR prints where centering variance runs 8–12%. For methodology behind scan, see How Before Slab works.
Where to buy Charizard ex raw and graded?
- TCGplayer: cheapest floor for raw copies. Filter to sellers with 500+ feedback for SIR-tier purchases.
- eBay: broadest sold-comp depth. 30-day BIN comps run tight to TCGplayer market on Charizard ex prints.
- PWCC / Goldin auction houses: graded PSA 10 supply for Mega Charizard X ex SIR and 151 SIR. Higher premiums but authentication guaranteed.
- JK Index Marketplace: verified-seller filter, 24-month price-history, PSA-population overlays. The one platform to check first before committing to any Charizard ex purchase over $100.
For a Charizard-only collection strategy:
- Modern flagship: Mega Charizard X ex SIR (Phantasmal Flames 125): $750.52 NM per JK Index, hold PSA 10 ($1,975) for 3+ years
- Mid-tier modern: 151 Charizard ex SIR #199: $400 NM per JK Index, PSA 10 $1,499 strongest post-rotation catalyst as 151 print run ends December 2026
- Accessible tier: 151 Charizard ex UR #183: $42 NM per JK Index accessible entry to Charizard 151 exposure
- Vintage crossover: Champion's Path Charizard VMAX Rainbow Rare (vintage-modern bridge card)
- Skip: Radiant Charizard (Pokémon GO) unless you specifically want radiant subset
Verdict: hold, flip, or skip on Charizard ex
Hold: Mega Charizard X ex SIR at $750.52 NM or $1,975 PSA 10. 3-year outlook rests on $54K BGS 10 comp holding ceiling.
Grade: Mega Charizard X ex SIR (#125). +63% weighted EV against real JK Index prices is current cleanest submission play.
Flip: skip. Charizard ex has already priced most short-flip windows out.
Skip: Charizard ex Regular #006 for grading math doesn't clear. Buy for deck play only.
Buy sealed instead: a Phantasmal Flames Booster Box at $180–$220 gives Mega Charizard X ex exposure at cheapest per-pack cost ($5.00–$6.10). A 151 Booster Box at $290–$340 gives 151 Charizard ex SIR exposure at slightly worse per-pack economics.
Adjacent modern sealed products worth comparing on way in:
Skip Charizard-branded special collection boxes for this purpose. r/PokemonInvesting is blunt about them: "If you want truth, no this is not a highly sought after collectible or investement. The pack selection is awful (only 10 too) and its too bulky for what you get and they have been all over for last 2 years (many printed)," per u/liberateyourmind (r/PokemonInvesting, 2026-06-28). Booster boxes and ETBs carry better pack-count economics than special collections for chase-card exposure.
Check JK Index Marketplace sold-comp overlay before every purchase. Charizard ex is highest-liquidity Pokémon card class in modern TCG, so 30-day median vs. asking price spreads are typically tight (5–10%) but occasional listings run 20%+ above median. The overlay filters those out.
Buy every Charizard ex variant on JK Index Marketplace: verified sellers, PSA population overlays, sold-comp history.
Check Grading Readiness Scan before submitting any Charizard ex raw to PSA, BGS, or CGC.
More JK Index articles
- Phantasmal Flames set page: home set of Mega Charizard X ex SIR 125, Gold 130, UR 109, and DR 013
- Scarlet & Violet 151 set page: home of Charizard ex SIR 199, UR 183, and Regular 006
- Obsidian Flames set page: Charizard ex SIR 223, Gold 226, UR 215, and DR 054
- Champion's Path set page: Charizard V and VMAX Rainbow Rare vintage-to-modern bridge card
- Darkness Ablaze set page: Charizard VMAX debut set
- Vivid Voltage set page: Charizard V full-art print
- Shining Fates set page: Charizard VMAX alt-art print
- Brilliant Stars set page: Charizard VSTAR Rainbow debut
- Crown Zenith set page: Charizard VSTAR Galarian Gallery Gold
- Burning Shadows set page: Charizard GX Rainbow Rare from Sun & Moon era
- Paldean Fates set page: home of Paldean Fates Charizard tin subset referenced by Redditors
- Prismatic Evolutions set page: adjacent SV-era modern sealed alternative
- Ascended Heroes set page: another SV-era sealed alternative Redditors recommend
- Pokémon TCG Price Index: every Pokémon set price index in one place
- JK Index Marketplace: Pokémon TCG: verified inventory, sold-comp overlay across every Charizard ex SKU
- Grade Readiness Scan for Mega Charizard X ex SIR: centering + surface + corners scan
- How Before Slab works: grading-readiness methodology behind every scan
- Before Slab leaderboard: top scanners and their real submission outcomes
JK Index tracks Pokémon TCG variant-level pricing and PSA populations across TCGplayer, eBay, and verified marketplace sellers. Data current as of August 2026.
