Is Charizard VSTAR Rare? Yes – Here‘s Why This Fiery Pokémon Remains One of the Most Coveted Cards

Among Pokémon collectors, few cards elicit as much hype and demand as the iconic Charizard. This remains true with the latest ultra rare Charizard VSTAR, which commands a tremendous premium thanks to its scarcity and immense collector appeal. But just how rare is the mighty Charizard VSTAR compared to previous legendary Charizards? Let‘s take a comprehensive look at what makes this fiery dragon so valuable.

A Rare Breed: Charizard‘s Enduring Popularity

Ever since I first chose Charmander as my starter in Pokémon Red back in the 90s, I‘ve had a soft spot for Charizard. Of course, I‘m far from alone – Charizard has remained arguably the most popular Pokémon for over 20 years now.

Nostalgia is a major factor. Many longtime collectors first fell in love with the original 151 Pokémon from the Base Set era where Charizard took center stage. Beyond sentimentality, Charizard checks all the boxes:

• Awesome Design – A flying, fire-breathing orange dragon is just badass. Even among other dragons, Charizard looks cool!

• Competitive Viability – As a heavy hitting Fire-type, Charizard consistently ranks as a top tier combatant and remains tournament legal across generations.

• Main Character Fame – Charizard‘s role as Ash‘s most famous Pokémon in the anime cemented its celebrity status.

• Low Supply – Even vintage Base Set Charizards are extraordinarily scarce in top condition 20+ years later.

This potent combination puts Charizard in a league of its own both for nostalgic collectors and competitive players. Let‘s explore how this star power translates into towering valuations!

Unpacking VSTAR: The Hot New Rarity

VSTAR cards were first introduced to the Pokémon TCG in 2022 as the successor to VMAX. If you‘re unfamiliar, here‘s a quick lowdown on what makes them unique and powerful:

• Like VMAX, VSTAR feature extra high HP and attacks compared to standard Pokémon V cards.

• VSTAR are denoted by a sparkling star icon rather than VMAX‘s rainbow icon.

• Each VSTAR has a special VSTAR Power – a potent attack usable only once per game.

• When you play a VSTAR Power, you essentially gain a temporary advantage by hitting for tons of damage. But you can‘t use the move again, so strategy comes into play on timing that massive attack!

Think of VSTAR as an upgraded VMAX on steroids with even more power potential. Their limited VSTAR Power attack adds excitement and a fun risk vs. reward element.

Now let‘s look at the ultra rare Charizard VSTAR cards that exist so far and what makes them so valuable.

The Charizard VSTAR Lineup

Since the VSTAR mechanic debuted in 2022, Charizard has already received 4 different VSTAR variants across Brilliant Stars and Astral Radiance:

Brilliant Stars:

• Charizard VSTAR – The standard Ultra Rare card with a shiny gold border

• Charizard VSTAR Rainbow – A vibrant rainbow-rare VSTAR and booster box exclusive

Astral Radiance:

• Charizard V Alt Art – An alternate-art VSTAR with anime-inspired artwork

• Charizard VSTAR Black & Gold – An ultra-elite gold secret rare from Astral Radiance booster boxes

Let‘s break down the rarity tier and valuation of each in more detail!

Standard Charizard VSTAR

• Set: Brilliant Stars
• Rarity: Ultra Rare
• Price Range: $40 to $100+ raw
• PSA 10 Price: $200 to $300+
• Population: Likely tens of thousands, but exact print run unknown

Despite being the "common" VSTAR version, regular Charizard VSTAR maintains a hefty premium thanks to the Charizard tax. It‘s still classified as an Ultra Rare even with a higher print run compared to the other VSTARs.

Demand greatly outweighs supply for this card, evidenced by it still commanding over $100 even in lower mint condition compared to just $20-$30 for other standard VSTARS.

Charizard VSTAR Rainbow

• Set: Brilliant Stars
• Rarity: Rainbow Rare (booster exclusive)
• Price Range: $150 to $400+ raw
• PSA 10 Price: $600 to $900+
• Population: Estimated 7,000 to 10,000 copies

With gorgeous rainbow foil and tighter supply as a booster exclusive, the Rainbow VSTAR fetches a healthy premium over the standard version. Population is lower, but still not ultra scarce.

This VSTAR has crept up from around $200 upon release to $400+ for PSA 10s in recent months – a testament to insatiable demand even with higher populations of this rare Charizard.

Charizard V Alt Art VSTAR

• Set: Astral Radiance
• Rarity: Ultra Rare (Alternate Art)
• Price Range: $250 to $600+ raw
• PSA 10 Price: $1,000+
• Population: Under 10,000 copies

This anime-inspired alternate art VSTAR combines amazing artwork with extreme scarcity. It‘s already emerged as arguably the most valuable and coveted modern Pokémon card printed in the last several years.

The unique art style, fiery background, and short supply make this VSTAR a perfect storm. PSA 10s break $1,000 consistently, and that‘s if you can even find one available!

Charizard VSTAR Black & Gold

• Set: Astral Radiance
• Rarity: Secret Rare (Gold)
• Price Range: $400 to $700+ raw
• PSA 10 Price: $2,000+
• Population: Likely only 500 to 1,000 copies exist

The shiny gold rendition marks the crown jewel of all Charizard VSTARs with insanely limited supply driving huge valuations. This true secret rare only exists in a sliver of Astral Radiance booster boxes.

Raw copies approaching $1,000 and PSA 10s breaking $2,000+ underscore the sheer rarity. This chase VSTAR immediately became one of the most valuable modern Pokémon cards out there upon release.

How VSTAR Compares to Iconic Vintage Charizards

Charizard VSTAR prices may cause sticker shock, especially for those not familiar with the Pokémon collecting scene. But how do they compare against vintage Base Set Charizards and other iconic cards in terms of value?

• 1st Edition Shadowless Base Set Charizard – The true holy grail, these 1999 trophies can fetch well over $100,000 in PSA 10 condition. A PSA 9 still breaks $20,000+.

• Unlimited Base Set Charizard – While unlimited runs are worth less than 1st edition, they still trade for $300 to $1000+ in PSA 9 or better condition.

• Shining Charizard (Neo Destiny) – This ultra rare 2002 Charizard variant sells for $3,000 to $10,000 for PSA 10s.

• Gold Star Charizard (EX Power Keepers) – This 2004 meta staple still sells for $800+ in PSA 10 condition.

While iconic vintage Charizards maintain the top values, VSTAR showcases extreme modern rarity quickly chasing those levels. And remember, vintage specimens that grade PSA 9 or 10 are extraordinarily tough to come by even decades later!

What Factors Drive Charizard VSTAR Scarcity and Value?

Aside from nostalgia and artwork, what makes VSTAR so scarce and expensive compared to other modern hits like Rainbow Pikachu?

• Tiny pull rates – Estimated 1 in 300+ packs for the Black & Gold gold secret rare. Others around 1 in 150 packs.

• Smaller print runs – Modern sets run far fewer booster boxes than base set‘s massive production decades ago.

• Hype monster – As the face of Pokémon, every collector and their mother want the new Charizard card. Sealed product containing VSTAR evaporates instantly.

• Competitive relevance – VSTAR attack damage keeps Charizard at the top of the meta game.

• Surging investor interest – Pokémon‘s popularity boom plus nostalgia have created a huge vacuum of demand from investors and collectors entering the hobby.

miniscule supply plus GOAT-level demand creates a value explosion. Add in nostalgic collector appeal, and you have a economic perfect storm.

Is Charizard VSTAR a Good Investment?

With iconic cards like 1st Edition Base Set Charizard breaking records at auction, it‘s tempting to view VSTAR as an investment opportunity. Generally, sealed booster boxes provide less risk over individual cards. Here are some things to consider:

Upside Factors:

• VSTAR likely to see continued short term hype and price gains in the current climate.

• Charizard‘s enduring nostalgic appeal and competitive utility support long term demand.

• Population will remain low over time as cards get lost, damaged, or stashed away in collections.

Risks:

• High buy-in cost compared to finding deals on vintage – limits upside.

• Reprint risk, albeit likely years away if at all.

• Condition sensitivity – minor flaws can greatly erode value.

Outlook:

• Prices are inflated currently, but should retain a healthy premium long-term.

• Graded PSA 10s have the safest outlook. Raw or lower grade copies risk more depreciation.

• Sealed booster boxes provide best risk-reward proposition over single card purchases.

While I view Charizard VSTAR as a relatively solid investment compared to other moderns, nothing is guaranteed when it comes to collector items. Do your homework and remember – invest only what you can afford to hold forever!

Tips for Collectors From a Fellow Enthusiast

For those looking to add these fiery dragons to their collection, here are some tips I‘ve learned:

• Only buy raw singles from reputable, high feedback sellers to avoid fakes.

• Inspect cards extremely closely front and back for any flaws or damage.

• Consider getting valuable cards graded by PSA or BGS to maximize value.

• Watch out for shill bidding if participating in auctions. Go for Buy It Nows from trusted sellers.

• Never overpay for the sake of "securing" a card – patience pays off!

• Make sure you‘re well-educated on fair market values before buying.

Stay vigilant for deals, but don‘t take unnecessary risks. Protect your collection and investment!

Notable VSTAR Sales

Speaking of deals, let‘s look at some recent noteworthy auctions to gauge where the market stands:

• A PSA 10 Charizard V Alt Art sold for $720 in July 2022 – a record at the time.

• In September 2022, a BGS 9.5 Charizard VSTAR Rainbow traded hands for $999.

• Just in January 2023, a graded BGS 9.5 Black & Gold VSTAR fetched $3,000 in a private sale – one of the highest public sales recorded.

• PSA 10 Black & Gold VSTAR auctions consistently clear $2,000+ now.

And those are just a sampling – staggering numbers for new cards. It shows the extreme high-end demand for coveted condition Charizard VSTARs.

The Outlook Going Forward

As the newest ultra rare Charizard, VSTAR prices remain inflated by hype and low populations. But where could things go in the future? Here are some factors that may affect trajectories:

Downside Risks

• Reprints could strike years down the road, although unlikely soon after launch.

• Condition is paramount – damaged copies can plummet in value.

• New special Charizard cards may steal some thunder in the future.

• Evolving collector preferences toward sealed product over singles.

Upside Potential

• Populations cannot increase – only get lower over time as cards are lost or damaged.

• Charizard remains one of the most competitively viable cards in the game.

• Nostalgia and brand power is near impossible to replicate. Icon status is cemented.

• Investor andcollector demand continues expanding at a rapid pace.

The Verdict?

• Barring surprise reprints, Charizard VSTAR should retain a high premium for the foreseeable future.

• But the extent depends on mitigating condition risks and collector trends shifting back toward singles.

• Well-graded PSA 10s seem safest as collector preference is for pristine condition.

All told, as the latest ultra rare Charizard, VSTAR is primed to continue the legendary dragon‘s legacy for years to come!

The Thrill of the Chase

As a fellow collector, I totally get the thrill of pulling or buying that coveted new Charizard. While VSTAR prices are jaw dropping, Charizard‘s nostalgia and style make the hunt well worth it for the right enthusiast. Just be sure to do your due diligence – and of course, only invest what you can afford.

Thanks for joining me on this deep dive into the raging hot Pokémon card that is Charizard VSTAR! Got any good Charizard stories of your own? I‘d love to hear about your chasing experiences in the comments below!