Looking Ahead at Charizard ex Obsidian Flames
Obsidian Flames is set to hit the shelves soon (it’s already available to preorder via TCGplayer), and the chase card everyone will be looking for is Charizard ex. While that’s the same with virtually any set containing a Charizard, there is something about this particular Charizard card that could make it a little more endearing to players as well as collectors.
Charizard ex’s Typing Makes it Advantageous for Players
Despite the recent release of Chien-Pao ex, there’s not a ton of water type Pokemon in the current Meta. So fire-type isn’t entirely screwed if you choose to play it. However, the new Charizard ex card is dark-type, making it specifically strong against two of the strongest decks in the standard meta format – namely Gardevoir ex and Mew VMAX.
That combined with its low attack energy cost, and fantastic ability make Charizard ex a very, very interesting card.
Pokémon TCG Charizard EX 223/197 Obsidian Flames
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Pros and Cons of Charizard ex from Obsidian Flames
Pro: High HP
First of all, Charizard ex has an incredibly high HP, while giving up only 2 prize cards. In fact, its HP would be considered high even amongst VMAX Pokemon, which yield 3 prizes when knocked out. Needless to say, this makes Charizard a tank of an attacker.
Con: Low Base Attack Output
On the flip side, however, Charizard’s base level attack damage is not terribly impressive. Indeed, your opponent has to have already gone pretty deep into their prize cards. before it is able to take knockouts against the majority of VSTAR’s out there.
Pro: Massive Energy Acceleration
Fire has not been a terribly strong typing in the Standard format for years. While there are many reasons for that, partially it has to do with the fact that a lot of fire type Pokemon require as many as three energies to get their attacks off. And even with the introduction of Magma Basin, that can be pretty difficult to do.
Charizard ex from Obsidian Flames, however, changes all that, giving an incredible energy acceleration option to players, and making it possible to take advantage of a wide range of Fire-type Pokemon attacks that wouldn’t have been feasible before.
Con: Charizard ex is a Stage 2 Pokemon
While getting stage 2 Pokemon onto the board has become relatively common place, it is still often an issue. One way that Chien-Pao gets away with its reliance on stage 2’s is due to Irida. Irida can let you bring a Rare Candy and the evolution Pokemon directly to your hand, as long as that evo Pokemon is water type. That won’t work, of course, with Charizard ex. So just getting him onto the board will be tricky.
Our Verdict
Without a doubt, Charizard ex will be a valuable card for collectors, no matter the rarity. However, its usefulness in combat remains to be seen. It could go a long ways in making Charizard VSTAR more viable, as well as bring with it enhanced utility for fire type Pokemon decks. However, with its difficulty of getting onto the board, and low base attack strength, it’s unlikely it will make it as a main attacker in its own rite, and equally unlikely that it will be quite enough to give Charizard VSTAR the extra push it needs to make it anywhere to the top of the current meta.
