🔥 SWSH03 — August 2020

Darkness Ablaze
Pokemon Card Break Guide

Home of Charizard VMAX — the most iconic Sword & Shield card and the centerpiece of every Darkness Ablaze break. Everything you need before breaking SWSH03.

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🔥 Set Overview

Darkness Ablaze (SWSH03) released August 14, 2020 as the third Sword & Shield expansion. While the set has 189 cards across multiple type-based themes, it is defined entirely by one card: Charizard VMAX. The giant black-and-red Gigantamax Charizard on the Secret Rare version became an instant cultural phenomenon — driving pack prices, YouTube box openings, and break demand to extraordinary levels. If you're breaking SWSH sets, Darkness Ablaze is the must-have.

189
Base Cards
201+
Total w/ Secrets
Aug 2020
Release Date
SWSH03
Set Code

🏆 Top Chase Cards

🥇 #1 Chase

Charizard VMAX Secret Rare

#20/189 — Secret Rare
$50 – $200+ raw · $300-$800+ PSA 10
🥈 #2 Chase

Charizard VMAX Rainbow

Rainbow Rare
$30 – $100+
🥉 #3 Chase

Eternatus VMAX Secret Rare

Secret Rare
$20 – $60+
⭐ Secret Rare

Scizor VMAX Secret Rare

Secret Rare
$12 – $40+
⭐ Full Art

Charizard V Full Art

Full Art V
$15 – $50+
⭐ Rainbow

Eternatus VMAX Rainbow

Rainbow Rare
$10 – $30+

🐉 Charizard VMAX — Why It Dominates Every Break

Charizard VMAX in Darkness Ablaze is the single most impactful pull in the Sword & Shield era. The Secret Rare version features Charizard in its Gigantamax form — dramatically larger than the card border, all black and red, against a fiery background. It went viral immediately on social media and has maintained premium value far above other SWSH VMAX cards because of Charizard's universal name recognition and the artwork's visual impact.

🔥 Fire-Type Slot = The Golden Slot

In Darkness Ablaze team breaks, the Fire-type slot is the prize position. Charizard VMAX SR at $50–$200+ makes this the highest single-card EV slot in any SWSH break. Breaks regularly sell the Fire slot at a significant premium — and it's still worth it given the pull potential.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is Charizard VMAX worth in Darkness Ablaze?

Charizard VMAX Secret Rare (#20/189): $50–$200+ raw, $300–$800+ in PSA 10. The most valuable card in the set and one of the most iconic Sword & Shield pulls.

How hard is Charizard VMAX to pull?

Charizard VMAX Secret Rare appears approximately 1-in-30 to 1-in-50 packs. In a 36-pack booster box, you may or may not hit it — Charizard VMAX was never guaranteed per box in Darkness Ablaze.

Is Darkness Ablaze worth breaking in 2025?

Yes — Charizard VMAX has held its value better than virtually any other modern Pokemon card. The Fire-type slot in a Darkness Ablaze break still commands a premium and the Charizard pull remains one of the most exciting moments in any break.

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