Posted in: Card Games, Games, Pokémon TCG, Tabletop | Tagged: Obsidian Flames, pokemon, pokemon cards, Scarlet & Violet

Cards Of Pokémon TCG: Obsidian Flames – Complete Set Review

Our Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Obsidian Flames Complete Review closes out our longrunning series focusing on the art of this set.

With Sword & Shield officially concluded, the Scarlet & Violet era of the Pokémon TCG kicked off in March 2023 with a focus on the ninth generation of Pokémon games and the new region: Paldea. It all began with the Scarlet & Violet base set, which introduced major, lasting changes to the hobby. Now, the borders of the cards have become silver, matching the Japanese releases. Another major change is that now, each pack culminates in at least a holo-rare and two reverse holos. The major mechanic of this era is the lowercase ex, which features a double holographic pattern of a horizontal shine and a starry sparkle. Full Art exs now use a green, foil outline around the Pokémon. The Secret Rare section of expansions going forward features Full Arts, Illustration Rares and Special Illustration Rare exs, Full Art Trainers, Special Illustration Rare Trainers, and Gold Hyper Rares. On August 11, 2023, the Pokémon TCG released the third set of this era, Scarlet & Violet – Obsidian Flames. The chase card is a Dark-type Tera Charizard ex. In today's installment of this Scarlet & Violet – Obsidian Flames art spotlight, we continue a full review of this expansion.

Tera Transformation

Scarlet & Violet – Obsidian Flames introduced Tera Pokémon with a Tera type differing from their base type. For example, Terastallizing changes Eiscue to a Fire-type, Tyranitar to an Electric-type, and, most notably, Charizard to a Dark-type in this set. That isn't something entirely alluring for a collector rather than a player, but it does bring an interesting visual element that is especially reflected in the color patterns of the Tera Full Art cards.

Is Charizard still king of the Pokémon TCG

While this has nothing to do with the quality of the set, it's worth noting that the Charizard Secret Rares from this set all became pretty quickly the cheapest Charizard Secret Rares there are. I tend to think this is because of the lukewarm fan reaction to the Tera Crown Jewels sitting on the Pokémons' heads. However, it must be said that AKIRA EGAWA leads this set incredibly well with his painterly Tera Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare.

Even outside of the Charizard cards in here, it's obvious by this set that the Secret Rare section — namely the Illustration Rares and Special Illustration Rares — is the only criteria on which most just the strength of a set. While Scarlet & Violet – Obsidian Flames didn't add as much to the hobby as Scarlet & Violet base set or Scarlet & Violet – Paldea Evolved, it still features a stunning selection of art-focused cards as Secret Rares.

Final Rating

8/10:During any other time in the hobby's past, this set would've been an all-time great. However, with incredible artwork and Full Art cards that let the illustrators shine becoming the norm, Scarlet & Violet – Obsidian Flames is incredibly solid, collectible, and beautiful even though it breaks little ground.

Stay tuned for the journey through this special set as we continue to spotlight the cards and artwork of Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet – Obsidian Flames. Next time, the spotlight continues with the Secret Rare section of the set. You can read more about this iconic trading card game right here at Bleeding Cool.

Enjoyed this? Please share on social media!

Stay up-to-date and support the site by following Bleeding Cool on Google News today!