Charizard VMAX 020/189 Swsh03: Darkness Ablaze Holo Beckett BGS 9.5 Gem Mint
Charizard VMAX 020/189 Swsh03: Darkness Ablaze Holo Beckett BGS 9.5 Gem Mint
Charizard VMAX 020/189 Swsh03: Darkness Ablaze Holo Beckett BGS 9.5 Gem Mint
Price: $89.00
Charizard VMAX 020/189 from Sword & Shield – Darkness Ablaze, ultra rare holo, slabbed at BGS 9.5 Gem Mint. This one’s got that classic fire-breathing vibe going strong.
The artwork shows Charizard mid-roar, wings spread wide against a stormy backdrop. Flames bursting everywhere, like it’s about to torch the whole scene. That dynamic angle really captures the intensity without overdoing it.
On the card text, it’s a Fire type with 330 HP. Weak to Water, resists nothing. Attacks are straightforward: Claw Slash for 130 damage, no frills. Then G-Max Wildfire hits for 300, but you discard two Energy from it afterward. No Ability here, just raw power moves that fit the VMAX style.
Darkness Ablaze dropped in 2020, right in the heart of the Sword & Shield era. This set brought in a bunch of Eternatus-focused stuff, but the Charizard VMAX stole the show for many. It’s not the first Zard in the block, but this printing stands out with its Gigantamax form debut, tying into the games’ Dynamax mechanics. Collectors dig how it bridges the video game hype with TCG play. Compared to later sets, this one’s got that early SWSH simplicity—fewer gimmicks, more focus on big basics.
For the slab, BGS gave it a 9.5 overall, which means subgrades are likely solid across the board: centering probably 9.5 or 10, edges and corners crisp at 9.5, surface maybe a 9.0 if there’s a tiny print line, but nothing distracting. Eye appeal is high—the holo foil pops under light, with that rainbow sheen typical of VMAX cards. No major whitening or scratches visible through the case. From what I’ve seen in pop reports, BGS 9.5s for this card sit around 250 or so, lower than PSA equivalents since folks often chase those 10s instead. Still, it’s a clean example that holds up well.
I’d keep this one in a display case next to my other fire types, just for that daily dose of nostalgia.
Quick Facts:
– Card Title: Charizard VMAX 020/189
– Set: Sword & Shield – Darkness Ablaze
– Rarity: Ultra Rare
– Condition: BGS 9.5 Gem Mint
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