How Rare is the Rainbow Charizard VSTAR? Insanely Hard to Pull and Worth a Fortune
The rainbow rare Charizard VSTAR (card number 174/172) from the Pokémon TCG‘s Brilliant Stars set has an extremely low pull rate of approximately 1 in 450 packs – making it one of the rarest ultra premium cards you can possibly open today.
As both a Secret Rare "hyper rare" and featuring the iconic fire starter Pokémon, this card commands astronomical prices upwards of $1000 for PSA 10 copies. For collectors and investors, the Brilliant Stars rainbow Charizard VSTAR represents one of the modern hobby‘s most valuable trophies.
Why is the Rainbow Charizard VSTAR So Rare?
Let‘s break down the key factors that make pulling this card seem like winning the lottery:
Tiny Pull Rate from Packs
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According to card opening data aggregated by top Pokémon sites, the rainbow Charizard VSTAR has a pull rate of 1 in 450 Brilliant Stars packs – over 10X lower than regular Ultra Rares from the set.
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For context, the original Charizard VSTAR only has a pull rate of 1 in 415 packs – far easier to obtain.
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Out of a sample of 2,000 Brilliant Stars packs opened, just 4 copies of the rainbow Charizard VSTAR were reported – showing how elusive it is.
Premium Rarity Features
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As a Secret Rare "hyper rare," it is deliberately short-printed by TPCI to have ultra rare status.
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The stunning rainbow rare foil style gives it unique appeal. Rainbow rares are always the most coveted card variations.
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Having Charizard as the featured Pokémon makes it automatically more desirable and iconic.
Lower Print Run for Brilliant Stars
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Brilliant Stars had a smaller distribution than other modern sets like Fusion Strike or Chilling Reign. Less supply = higher rarity.
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Strong demand for Brilliant Stars due to its mascot Charizard VSTAR and Trainer Gallery subset has led to shortages.
Popularity of Charizard VSTAR Mechanic
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As the first set with new VSTAR cards, Brilliant Stars and its unique Charizard card was incredibly hyped.
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Charizard‘s debut as a VSTAR Pokémon fuels more demand from collectors and investors.
Just How Valuable is the Rainbow Charizard VSTAR?
With its insane rarity and Charizard allure, this card trades for astronomical prices:
| Card Version | Average Sale Price | Highest Sale Price |
|---|---|---|
| Raw NM copies | $400 – $600 | – |
| PSA 10 Gem Mint | $1000 – $3000 | $5100 (BGS 9.5) |
These valuations blow away most other modern pulls. Here‘s how the rainbow Charizard VSTAR compares to some other top cards from the Sword & Shield era:
| Card | Average Sale Price | Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Charizard VSTAR | $1000 | 1 in 450 packs |
| Rainbow Umbreon VMAX | $500 | 1 in 264 packs |
| Gold Mew VMAX | $200 | 1 in 273 packs |
| Rainbow Rare Pikachu VMAX | $180 | 1 in 196 packs |
As we can see, the Brilliant Stars rainbow Charizard eclipses even other popular rainbow rares in value due to its unparalleled rarity.
Why is This Card So Coveted by Collectors?
For Pokémon hobbyists, especially major Charizard fans like myself, the Brilliant Stars rainbow VSTAR represents the pinnacle for a few reasons:
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First Rainbow Version of the New VSTAR mechanic – As the inaugural set with VSTAR cards, Brilliant Stars had tremendous hype. Rainbow Charizard VSTAR will remain iconic as the first of its kind.
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Charizard as a Cover Mascot – Having Charizard as the main set mascot makes his cards more sought after. Brilliant Stars will always be remembered for debuting Charizard VSTAR.
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Rainbow Rare Foil – The stunning rainbow holofoil elevates the artwork to a majestic degree. Rainbow rare treatment has become highly prestigious among collectors.
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Cultural Legacy of Charizard – As the most popular Pokémon ever, Charizard‘s cards exclusively command prices miles above the rest. A new ultra rare Charizard will always generate demand.
Owning this card is like capturing a beautifully elusive rainbow – a true treasure among Pokémon TCG collectors and investors. If you are lucky enough to pull the Rainbow Charizard VSTAR, cherish it!
