Posted in: Card Games, Games, Pokémon TCG, Tabletop | Tagged: Brilliant Stars, Charizard, pokemon, pokemon cards, Pokemon TCG

The Cards Of Pokémon TCG: Brilliant Stars Part 4: Charizard VSTAR

Pokémon TCG has released the first set of 2022. The expansion, Sword & Shield – Brilliant Stars, came out on February 25th, 2022. It is the ninth set under the Sword & Shield banner and is the first to include the Pokémon-VSTAR mechanic. VSTARs are a replacement for the VMAX mechanic, which is being phased out of the main portion of the set after this release. Sword & Shield – Brilliant Stars also debuts the Trainer Gallery, a special subset of Character Rares, Character Super Rares, Full Art Trainers, and Black & Gold VMAXes that can be pulled in the reverse holo slot. Follow me through a journey through this latest set as we appreciate the artwork, discuss the card's place in the set, and discuss what certain elements of the expansion may imply for the future of the Pokémon TCG. Today, we'll take a look at one of the set's chase cards: the Charizard VSTAR.

The VSTAR mechanic is ushered in by a Charizard set. This surely set things off majorly. Charizard is such a popular Pokémon, especially when it comes to the TCG, that if this set hadn't also included a Rainbow Rare Charizard VSTAR and a Charizard V Alternate Art, it would be this card that would reach near the highest value rankings in the set. Look back to Sword & Shield – Darkness Ablaze. That set saved the Rainbow Rare Charizard for Champion's Path, and thus the standard Charizard VMAX sits as the set's chase card. Thus is the power of the Zard.

Thankful;y, this card also happens to be beautiful. Charizard gets the hype regardless, even when the card isn't that good-looking, but this features clean artwork, a ferocious pose, and strong use of the VSTAR art box.

Charizard is so popular that a portion of the fanbase has come to say they hate cards featuring this Pokémon in response to the overwhelming popularity. Personally, I'm right there in the middle. I remember the hype over Base Set Charizard as a kid (I mean, 120 HP and that illustration, come on!) so I still feel that nostalgia bump and I find it to be a strong Pokémon, but what I was really after in this set was the Sylveon and Mimikyu cards from the Trainer Gallery. Still, though, when I pulled this VSTAR, I was very satisfied. In-person, the texture of the card is even more stunning than the illustration.

And, of course… when I pulled this one? Game changer!

Stay tuned for the continuing journey through Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield – Brilliant Stars. To look back on this series, click the Brilliant Stars tag below. Next time, this journey continues with the main set.

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