When Sword & Shield: Darkness Ablaze dropped in August 2020, the world was a weird place. Most of us were stuck inside, rediscovering old hobbies or diving headfirst into new ones. For the Pokémon TCG community, this set was a massive pivot point. It wasn't just another expansion; it was the moment the "Charizard tax" became a permanent fixture of modern collecting. People were losing their minds over one specific lizard. But honestly, if you look at Darkness Ablaze chase cards today, there’s a much deeper story than just a fiery dragon.
It’s about the shift from the Sun & Moon era into the high-octane VMAX power creep. Collectors often forget how much this set stabilized the competitive scene while simultaneously fueling the speculative bubble that nearly broke the hobby.
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The Unavoidable Shadow of the VMAX Charizard
Let’s get the big one out of the way. If you’re talking about Darkness Ablaze chase cards, you are talking about Charizard VMAX. Specifically, card #020/189. It’s funny—at the time, people were actually a bit disappointed that it wasn't a "Rainbow Rare." We had become so accustomed to the Hyper Rare aesthetic that a standard triple-rare VMAX felt almost... common?
But scarcity is a funny thing.
The pull rates for the VMAX Charizard weren't actually that forgiving. Even though it wasn't a Secret Rare, it felt like it. Most collectors were cracking hundreds of packs just to see that chunky, gigantamaxed silhouette. Because the set lacked a "Shiny" or "Rainbow" version of the mascot—those were tucked away in Champions Path—this card became the de facto trophy. It currently sits as the emotional and financial anchor of the set. Even with the massive print runs TPCi pushed out to keep up with the 2020/2021 hype, a PSA 10 copy of this card still commands a premium because the centering on this era was, frankly, abysmal.
Beyond the Lizard: The Competitive Powerhouses
While the "Zard" gets the headlines, the actual soul of the set for players was Crobat V.
You have to remember how vital "Draw Support" is in Pokémon. Before Crobat V, we had Dedenne-GX. When Dedenne rotated, Crobat V became the mandatory "two-of" in every single competitive deck. Its "Dark Asset" ability allowed you to draw until you had six cards in hand when you played it to the bench. It was a literal game-changer. For months, the Full Art and Secret Rare Gold versions of Crobat V were the true Darkness Ablaze chase cards for anyone actually sitting down at a table to play.
There's also the Eternatus VMAX. The design is polarizing—some love the alien, "Hand-of-Doom" look, others think it’s a cluttered mess. But in terms of the meta? It defined a whole archetype. The Gold Secret Rare Eternatus V and VMAX cards (which actually appeared in later "Shiny Vault" style sets but originated here) started their journey in Darkness Ablaze. If you pull the Rainbow Rare Salamence VMAX or the Scizor VMAX, you’re looking at cards that have aged gracefully. They aren't $500 cards, but they represent a specific aesthetic peak of the early Sword & Shield era.
The Secret Rare Gold Cards Nobody Expected
Secret Rares in this set are a mixed bag, but the gold items are where the long-term value hides. Take a look at the Gold Capture Energy. It sounds boring. It's a piece of cardboard that provides one colorless energy.
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But it’s gold.
High-end players love "blinging out" their decks. A play-set of Gold Capture Energy was once a massive flex. Then you have the Coalossal V and Rillaboom (Secret Gold). These aren't just pretty; they are functional. Collectors often overlook these in favor of the flashy Pokémon, but the "Gold Slab" market is incredibly resilient. If you’re hunting for Darkness Ablaze chase cards with the intention of holding them for a decade, these utility golds often have less volatility than the latest Charizard variant.
Why Some "Chases" Failed to Launch
Not everything in this set turned to gold. Or even silver.
There was a lot of hype around the Trainer cards. Rose and Piers are central characters in the Sword & Shield video games, but their Full Art supporters in Darkness Ablaze never really took off. Why? Their in-game effects were a bit too niche. Rose helps with energy acceleration but forces you to discard your hand—a high price to pay.
In the Pokémon TCG, if a Trainer card isn't "broken" in the meta, the value usually stays flat unless the character is a "waifu" archetype (think Serena or Lillie). Since Darkness Ablaze leaned heavily into the "tough guy" and "villain" aesthetic with Rose and Piers, the secondary market value stayed relatively low. It’s a bit of a bummer because the art on the Full Art Rose is actually fantastic, capturing that frantic, corporate-overlord energy perfectly.
The Printing Quality Nightmare
We need to talk about the "Darkness Ablaze Blur."
If you're buying singles today, you have to be incredibly careful. This set was produced during a period of unprecedented demand. The Pokémon Company was running presses 24/7. Consequently, the quality control plummeted. It is very common to find Darkness Ablaze chase cards with "silvering" on the edges—where the holofoil shows through because the blade that cut the card was dull.
Centering was also a coin toss. You’ll see cards that are 70/30 or even 80/20, looking like the artwork is sliding off the cardboard. If you find a "Black Label" BGS 10 or a pristine PSA 10 from this set, it’s worth significantly more than the "Market Price" you see on apps like TCGPlayer. The rarity isn't just the card; it's the condition.
The Future of Darkness Ablaze in the Secondary Market
Is it worth ripping packs of Darkness Ablaze in 2026? Probably not for profit. The "EV" (Expected Value) of a booster box has drifted significantly lower than the cost of a sealed box. This is the "Sealed Collector's Paradox." The box itself is a rare item now, but the cards inside—unless you hit a perfect Charizard—won't cover the cost.
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However, as a snapshot of history, it's a legendary set. It introduced the "Dark" type dominance that would last for years. It gave us the VMAX mechanic at its most refined. And it solidified the idea that every major set needs a "Chase" that feels impossible to find.
How to Evaluate Your Collection
If you’re digging through your boxes and find some of these, here’s the reality check:
- Charizard VMAX: If it’s raw and has white spots on the back corners, it’s a $20-$40 card. If it’s perfect, grade it immediately.
- Gold Secrets: These are the hidden gems. Check the edges for "silvering." If the edges are clean, they are highly liquid—meaning you can sell them almost instantly to players or collectors.
- Butterfree VMAX (Rainbow): This is a sleeper. It’s a classic Gen 1 Pokémon with a beautiful Rainbow Rare treatment. It has a cult following that keeps its price stable even when the rest of the market dips.
The era of 2020 Pokémon was a gold rush. Darkness Ablaze was the fuel. While the frenzy has cooled, the significance of these Darkness Ablaze chase cards remains. They represent the moment the hobby went from a niche game to a global asset class. Whether you’re a player or a "stonker," you have to respect the lizard.
Next Steps for Collectors:
- Check for "Silvering": Take a flashlight to the edges of your VMAX cards. If you see tiny glints of silver on the front borders, the card is likely a PSA 8 or 9 at best.
- Verify the Print Run: Later reprints of Darkness Ablaze (found in certain "heavy" tins) actually had slightly better surface finishing than the first-wave booster boxes.
- Cross-Reference with Darkness Ablaze/Vivid Voltage Two-Packs: Some of these cards were re-released in multi-pack blisters. These often have higher instances of "pack fresh" damage due to the way they were packaged.
- Consolidate into Quality: If you have five "decent" Charizard VMAXs, consider selling the four weakest ones to buy one graded Gem Mint copy. In five years, the "10" grade will outpace the "Raw" market by a massive margin.