Charizard ex
What we have here is what scientists are calling The Charizard Effect. This is where people are so convinced that any card with a Charizard on it is valuable that any card with a Charizard on it becomes valuable. This even applies to what is, technically, bulk.
This Dark-type terastalized Zard is, in the inflation-riddled terminology of the Pokémon TCG, a “double rare.” This puts it as equal to cards as unnoticed as the Victini ex ($1.80), Houndstone ex ($1.18), and Clawf ex ($1.11.) It’s also one of a bewildering 20 ex cards in Obsidian Flames. Were the pull-rates not so dreadful, they should be common as muck. And yet, right now the most basic version of the Charizard ex is selling for $24. Or, as I always equate these things, six more packs of Obsidian Flames.
It’s not even that exciting of an ex. It needs to be evolved, so it’s tough to get into play. When you do, it’s cool that its Ability means you can immediately load it up with the Energy it needs to attack, with one left over for another card, but its attack is only really any use late in the game, and only then if you’re losing. 180 is a powerful attack for two Energy, certainly, but to make it into a destructive force, you need your opponent to have taken a bunch of prize cards. However, say they’re one card from winning, that does mean this would deal 330 points of damage a turn.
