Is Flareon Legendary? An In-Depth Guide to Flareon GX and V Card Value

Let‘s get this out of the way first – Flareon is not officially considered a Legendary Pokémon. But its popularity among fans has made Flareon‘s trading cards highly desirable to collectors. In this in-depth guide, we‘ll explore what makes Flareon so collectible and look at the value and rarity of its top modern cards like Flareon GX and VMAX. Whether you‘re a competitive player or collector, read on for an expert take on this fiery fox!

A Brief History of Flareon – The Flaming Flash Pokémon

Flareon first appeared back in 1996‘s original Pokémon Red and Blue games as one of the three original "Eeveelutions." Its elegant design and great Fire-type moves made it a quick favorite amongst fans. When Pokémon cards debuted that same year, Flareon was included as one of the top cards in the inaugural Base Set.

Over the years, Flareon continued to appear across the games, anime, and subsequent Pokémon TCG expansions. It gained signature moves like Flamethrower, Fire Fang, and Flare Blitz to devastate opponents. And later generations introduced more backstory through Pokédex entries – Flareon‘s internal flame sac reaches temperatures over 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit!

Flareon‘s fierce appearance contrasts its mild behavior. While ferocious in battle, Flareon displays great affection for its trainer. Its warm body temperature allows it to hug its trainer without burning them. This duality encapsulates Flareon‘s charm both in the games and TCG.

So while not Legendary, Flareon earned its reputation through 25 years of history. Its great design and Fire mastery built a passionate collector following. Fans still chase Flareon cards today like the modern Flareon GX and VMAX – a testament to its staying power.

Flareon GX Cards – The Flash Fire Fox

Pokémon GX cards arrived in 2017‘s Sun & Moon expansion as a new kind of Ultra Rare. These cards introduced powerful Pokémon with a unique GX attack to devastate opponents. Flareon received several GX cards showcasing its fiery flair. Let‘s examine the top Flareon GX cards that draw collector interest:

Flareon GX (Guardians Rising)

The main Flareon GX comes from 2017‘s Guardians Rising set. It has 210 HP and a standard Flareon attack for 120 damage. But its 1-time GX move "Grand Flare" packs a fiery punch at 200 damage!

As a Stage 1 GX, this Flareon is considered Ultra Rare at around 1 in 12 booster packs. Prices range based on condition:

• Gem Mint (GEM 10): $120-150
• Near Mint (NM): $15-25
• Lightly Played (LP): $5-10
• Heavily Played (HP): <$2

Top graded copies with 10 sub-grades can auction over $250. But even moderately played copies hold single digit value due to the GX rarity.

Flareon GX Full Art (Guardians Rising)

This gorgeous full art version of Flareon GX came as a Secret Rare in Guardians Rising at an extra rare 1 in 144 pack pull rate. The stunning artwork by Naoyo Kimura highlights Flareon‘s fiery mane.

As a premium full art, this Flareon commands higher prices:

• GEM 10: $350-$450
• NM/M: $125-$150
• LP: $60-$100
• HP: $20-$40

The extra rarity and appeal of the full art style give this card a big boost over the standard GX, especially for high grade copies. Recent PSA 10s have sold over $500!

Flareon GX (Shining Legends)

The final Flareon GX comes from 2017‘s special Shining Legends set. It kept the strong "Grand Flare" GX move but had appeal from the Shining Legends name.

Its prices align more with the regular GX version:

• GEM 10: $200-$250
• NM/M: $40-$60
• LP: $15-$25
• HP: <$5

This Shining Legends Flareon carries moderate value for collectors. But the standard and full art GX tend to be more sought after.

Flareon V and VMAX – The Vivid Volcano Pokémon

Flareon received new life in 2020‘s Sword & Shield base set through Flareon V and VMAX cards. These Vs ushered in a new era of Ultra Rares in the Pokémon TCG. How do they compare value-wise?

Flareon V (Sword & Shield Base Set)

The Flareon V has 190 HP and a strong 130 damage attack for just 3 Energy. It also has a Bench sniping ability fitting its spitfire nature.

As a normal V card, its pack pull rate clocks in around 1 in 14 packs. Pricing shakes out as:

• GEM 10: $150-$200
• NM/M: $10-$20
• LP: $5-$10
• HP: <$2

Flareon V holds less value than the GX cards, fitting the trend of Vs costing a bit less than their GX predecessors. Still, great condition copies reach over $100.

Flareon VMAX (Sword & Shield Base Set)

This big Evolution cranks Flareon‘s power to the max with 340 HP! Its "Max Flare" attack scorches for 180 damage.

As a VMAX, it becomes tougher to pull at around 1 in 45 packs. Rarity gives its value a boost:

• GEM 10: $300-$400
• NM/M: $40-$60
• LP: $15-$25
• HP: <$5

The VMAX rarity keeps these prices strong. Near perfect graded copies approach $500.

Flareon VMAX Rainbow Rare

The blinged-out Rainbow Rare Flareon VMAX lights up with a dazzling rainbow shine. At 1 per booster box, this flashy Flareon has extra scarcity.

Rainbow Rares always command huge premiums:

• GEM 10: $600-$800
• NM/M: $200-$300
• LP: $100-$150
• HP: $50-$75

This elite rarity makes the Rainbow Flareon one of the most valuable modern Flareon cards, especially in flawless condition. Recent auction sales exceed $1,000!

Flareon VMAX Alternate Arts

Special alternate art versions of Flareon VMAX also exist, like the Flareon VMAX in Japan‘s VMAX Climax set. While not necessarily rarer, collector appeal drives up prices:

• GEM 10: $500-$600
• NM/M: $250-$300
• LP: $100-$150

These alternate arts remain highly sought after by collectors. Unique artwork and styling adds to the value tremendously.

Flareon Card Rarity and Value Comparison

To fully understand Flareon‘s card values, let‘s compare the rarity and potential value across different card types:

Card Rarity and Value

Card Rarity	Sample Card	Pull Rate	Value Range
Common	Flareon (SwSh Base)	N/A	<$1
Uncommon	Flareon (DF Base)	N/A	<$1
Rare Holo	Flareon (XY Evolutions)	1:12 packs	$1-$5
Ultra Rare GX	Flareon GX (GR)	1:12 packs	$5-$250+
Full Art GX	Flareon GX FA	1:144 packs	$40-$500+
Rainbow Rare VMAX	Flareon VMAX RR	1:288 packs	$100-$1000+
Gold Secret Rare	Flareon (SWSH)	1:1000+ packs	$400-$2000+
Signature Moves	Flareon VMAX/Red	Special card	$300-$1000+
Alternate Art V	Flareon V AA	Special card	$150-$500+

A few things stand out:

• Regular Vs and GXs fall into the standard Ultra Rare $5-$100 range depending on condition
• Full arts, rainbows, and golds carry big bonuses for their extra rarity
• Special alternate arts and signature cards command even more from collectors
• Common and uncommon Flareon cards have almost no value

While a common Flareon might only sell for $0.25, its Rainbow Rare VMAX counterpart could fetch over $1,000! Rarity and condition greatly influence price.

How Flareon Compares to Iconic Expensive Cards

Flareon GX and VMAX cards carry decent value, but how do they compare to the TCG‘s legendary cards worth thousands or more?

• 1st Edition Base Set Charizard – GEM Mint copies have sold over $300,000! Even poor condition can be $20,000+.

• Pikachu Illustrator Promo – This ultra rare Pikachu has sold for over $100,000! Only 39 confirmed copies exist.

• 1999 Super Secret Battle Mewtwo – This Mewtwo promo can fetch $10,000+ in perfect grade.

• Red‘s Pikachu Full Art – This special card released with Pokémon Red surpassed $50,000 in auction.

• Gold Star Cards – Iconic cards like the Espeon Gold Star sit in the $10,000 range.

Simply put, Flareon cannot compete with the value of legendary cards like 1st Edition Charizard or Pikachu Illustrator. Those cards represent the scarcest of the scarce – the true Pokémon holy grails.

But for a collector looking for an iconic Pokémon at a more affordable price point, Flareon fits the bill. Its elite cards like Rainbow Rare Flareon VMAX offer players and collectors a compromise – great artwork, cool rarity, stronger value – without costing six figures!

My Take – What Makes Flareon Cards Special

In my opinion as a longtime Pokémon fan, Flareon simply hits the sweet spot between power, design, and nostalgia. It‘s not as ubiquitous as franchise mascots like Pikachu or Charizard. But that works in its favor – Flareon feels exclusive and special because it‘s not plastered everywhere.

The original art captured its fire ferocity perfectly. And the playability of strong Fire attacks made Flareon a fun partner. When you got that Flareon card, you felt like you had something of real value.

Modern Flareon cards like the Full Art GX and Rainbow Rare VMAX retain that allure of owning something special. Enthusiasts love having that flashy Flareon in their collection. While not six-figure grails, they‘re absolutely chase cards for any collector.

For playable value, Flareon sees some niche tournament play for its hit-hard potential. But true competitive value comes from long-term collector appeal. Will we be chasing Flareon VMAX Rainbows in 30 years like we do 1st Edition Charizard today? I‘d bet yes, making modern Flareons enticing pickups.

Overall, Flareon simply looks fantastic, reminds us of our childhood, and makes collectors proud to own one. That timeless, intrinsic value makes Flareon a winner in my book.

Conclusion – Flareon Remains an Iconic Collectible

While Flareon doesn‘t have Legendary Pokémon status, its great design and history built avid collector demand. Modern Flareon GX and VMAX cards offer players and collectors alike a nice value option. Prices ranging from $5 into the hundreds means satisfying high-end rarity without unattainable investment costs.

Of course, true high rollers can chase the Pikachu Illustrators of the world. But for most fans, Flareon represents the ideal blend of nostalgia, artwork, playability, and long-term value. Key cards like Full Art GXes and Rainbow Rare VMAX Flareons should hold or increase significance for generations.

So don‘t be afraid to treat yourself to these fiery collectibles. Having that flashy Flareon VMAX Rainbow Rare will make you feel like a kid again. And as any collector knows, that feeling is what the Pokémon TCG is all about. Thanks for reading and I hope this guide helps you master the world of Flareon card collecting!