The Obsidian Flames Elite Trainer Box is one of the most talked-about ETBs from the Scarlet & Violet era. That is not only down to the set itself, but above all to its strong Charmander focus and the highly sought-after Pokémon Center-exclusive promo card. Within a short time this ETB became a staple among sealed collectors.
When was the Obsidian Flames ETB released?
The Scarlet & Violet – Obsidian Flames set was officially released on 11 August 2023. The matching Elite Trainer Boxes appeared on the same date. Obsidian Flames is therefore the third main set in the Scarlet & Violet series.
Which variants are there?
There are two Obsidian Flames ETB variants:
- Standard Obsidian Flames Elite Trainer Box
- Pokémon Center Obsidian Flames Elite Trainer Box
Both variants share the same basic design with Charmander at its centre, but they clearly differ in contents and collectible value.
Contents of the standard Obsidian Flames ETB
The standard Obsidian Flames ETB contains:
- 9x Obsidian Flames booster packs
- 1x Full Art promo card (Charmander)
- 65x sleeves with an Obsidian Flames/Charizard design
- 45x Pokémon TCG Energy cards
- Game accessories (dice, damage counters, coin-flip die)
- Player's guide for the Obsidian Flames set
- Storage box with dividers
- Code card for Pokémon TCG Live
The Charmander promo card ties in thematically with the set's Charizard focus and is exclusive to this ETB.
Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box – why is it so sought after?
The Pokémon Center Obsidian Flames ETB was sold exclusively through Pokémon Center and stands out on several points:
Extras in the Pokémon Center ETB:
- 11x booster packs (instead of 9x)
- Exclusive Pokémon Center-stamped Charmander promo card
- Limited availability (no regular retail sales)
The promo card as the key
The Pokémon Center-stamped Charmander promo card is the main reason for the popularity and higher price of the Pokémon Center Obsidian Flames ETB. This card is:
- Available exclusively through Pokémon Center
- Directly linked to Charizard (one of the strongest Pokémon brands ever)
- Very popular among PSA collectors
- Condition-sensitive because of the white borders and centering
Precisely because this promo has never been reprinted, it acts as a direct value anchor for the ETB.
Indicative market values:
- Raw: €170 - €200
- PSA 10: €2,000 – €2,600
The combination of Charizard hype, Pokémon Center exclusivity and strong grading performance makes this promo card one of the most powerful ETB promos of the Scarlet & Violet era.
Price development since release
Since the release in August 2023 the price development of the Obsidian Flames Elite Trainer Boxes has been very strong:
- Standard Obsidian Flames ETB
→ Up roughly x6 since release
Screenshot taken on 16/01/2026
- Pokémon Center Obsidian Flames ETB
→ Up roughly x6.5 since release
→ That outperformance is largely carried by the Pokémon Center-stamped Charmander promo card
Screenshot taken on 16/01/2026
Within sealed ETB collections the Pokémon Center Obsidian Flames ETB is now seen as one of the strongest performers of the Scarlet & Violet era.
Why is Obsidian Flames interesting for collectors?
The Obsidian Flames ETB scores highly on several collecting criteria:
- Charmander as the central Pokémon
- Exclusive ETB promo card (Charmander)
- Strong Pokémon Center variant
- Early Scarlet & Violet set with lasting demand
That makes this ETB attractive for:
- Sealed ETB collectors
- Promo and PSA collectors
- Fans of the Charizard line
Conclusion
The Obsidian Flames Elite Trainer Box has quickly established itself as an important ETB within the Scarlet & Violet series. With Charizard as its figurehead and a strong Pokémon Center promo card, this is a product that holds up both in contents and as a collectible. The question in the end is: do you open Obsidian Flames for the pulls, or do you leave this Charizard ETB sealed for the long term?
