Charizard has topped Pokemon TCG want-lists since 1999, so when the Sword & Shield era gave it a Rainbow Rare VMAX treatment, the result was almost guaranteed to become a modern grail.
A new rarity tier for a familiar favourite
Rainbow Rares arrived as a secret rare tier in the Sword & Shield block, sitting above Ultra Rares and using a shimmering, multicolour foil across the card's border and art window. Charizard VMAX's version, reportedly printed in the 2020 Darkness Ablaze expansion, was among the first VMAX cards to receive this treatment, giving an already-popular Pokemon an even flashier finish.
Why collectors chased it so hard
Rainbow Rares were scarcer than the standard VMAX prints in each set, and pairing that scarcity with Charizard's name recognition created outsized demand relative to other Rainbow Rares from the same era. Many collectors who had no interest in competitive play still wanted a copy purely for the shelf.
Holding its value in a crowded market
The Sword & Shield block produced dozens of Rainbow Rares, yet this Charizard is consistently cited as one of the most requested. Reported PSA 10 sale prices have ranged widely - from roughly a hundred dollars to several hundred depending on market conditions - but it has stayed a benchmark 'chase' card for anyone building a modern Charizard collection.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Rainbow Rare card?
A Rainbow Rare is a secret rare card printed with a multicolour, rainbow-foil pattern across the artwork and border, sitting above standard Ultra Rares in the Sword & Shield era's rarity structure.
Which set is the Charizard VMAX Rainbow Rare from?
It's reportedly from Darkness Ablaze, released in 2020, one of the earliest Sword & Shield expansions to feature the Rainbow Rare treatment on a VMAX card.
Why is this Charizard considered a modern grail?
It combines Charizard's built-in collector demand with an eye-catching rainbow finish and an oversized VMAX frame, a mix that reportedly pushed PSA 10 copies into the hundreds of dollars even years after release.