What Pack is the Coveted Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX Actually In?

As a fellow Pokémon TCG collector, I totally get the hype around the Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX. Vivid colors, powerful attacks, incredible nostalgia – this card just hits different. But tracking down that elusive rainbow-colored Charizard can feel hopeless with booster boxes running $500+ these days. You‘re probably wondering: what pack is Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX actually in? And is it even worth chasing with those crazy pull rates?

Let me start by giving you the inside scoop on the iconic Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX – from its origins to pricing, pull rates, and expert strategies for finding it. I‘ve ripped enough Champion‘s Path packs to know the thrill and heartbreak of the hunt firsthand!

An Iconic Card Powerful Enough to Stand with the Elite

Before we jump into the pack details, let‘s appreciate just how incredible this Charizard is:

• 340 HP – Towering stats to rival Pokémon VMAX titans like Pikachu, Eternatus, and Lapras VMAX

• 300 Damage – Its G-Max Wildfire attack brings overwhelming power few can withstand

• Rainbow Rare – Vivid, rainbow-colored artwork that immediately catches the eye

• Champion‘s Path – Only obtainable in this sought-after special set

The Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX has both nostalgic appeal and competitive viability. It stands shoulder to shoulder with the most iconic Pokémon chase cards ever printed. That‘s why demand remains sky-high while availability dwindles.

Born from the Legendary Champion‘s Path Set

To start our journey, we have to go back to September 25, 2020 – the release date for the Champion‘s Path expansion. This special set shined a spotlight on the champions of Pokémon Sword and Shield‘s Galar region.

Champion‘s Path included 80 cards focused on:

• Galar‘s gym leaders and elite four
• Powerful Pokémon like Charizard and Drednaw
• The Galar region‘s ancient legends and artifacts
• Special full art and rainbow rare chase cards

While light on cards overall, Champion‘s Path made up for it with absolutely busted pull rates on its best cards. And none shined brighter than the stunning Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX.

Pull Rates – Just How Rare is Rainbow Charizard VMAX?

Speaking of pull rates, let‘s dig into the odds of actually finding a Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX in those coveted Champion‘s Path packs:

As you can see, your odds of pulling the Rainbow Charizard VMAX sit at a miniscule 0.32% per Champion‘s Path pack. To put that into perspective:

• You‘d need to open 312 packs on average to pull just ONE copy
• At $5 per pack, that‘s a whopping $1,560 worth of packs

No wonder graded PSA 10 copies go for $600+ when you factor in those insane pull rates! While the Shiny Charizard V Full Art is much easier to find, nothing compares to the elusive rainbow rare version.

So How Do You Get Your Hands on Champion‘s Path Packs?

Well, first you have to find them. Champion‘s Path receives only occasional reprints compared to main Sword & Shield sets like Darkness Ablaze or Vivid Voltage. Thus booster boxes dry up quickly whenever they do appear online or at major retailers.

Once you track down that elusive Champion‘s Path stock, you can buy it in:

• Elite Trainer Boxes – 10 packs, card sleeves, coins, etc. (~$120)
• Pin Collections – 3 packs and a promo pin (~$80)
• Special Collections – 2 packs and a jumbo card (~$50)
• Individual Booster Packs – Loose packs for around $5 each

Given the super rare pull rates, buying individual booster packs gives you the most flexibility. But Elite Trainer Boxes offer better overall value if you can find them near MSRP. Either way, just securing any Champion‘s Path at all has become a challenge with how quickly it sells out!

Weighing the Pros and Cons of the Charizard Chase

Let‘s be real – with pull rates of 1 in 312 packs, buying Champion‘s Path solely to hunt the Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX is not exactly wise financially. But it‘s also not always about the money! Here are some pros and cons I‘ve experienced in my own Charizard hunts:

Pros:

• Strong nostalgia factor in pulling your own chase Charizard

• Ultimate bragging rights and collector‘s high if you do beat the odds

• Potential to pull the card early and net a nice return on investment

• Exciting recreational rip with fellow Pokémon TCG fans

Cons:

• Über-rare pull rates lower your chances significantly

• Packs are very marked up ($300+ for a booster box, $5+ for individual packs)

• More cost-effective to buy the single card you want rather than gamble

• Requires a deep stash of packs for a legitimate shot at the pull

So if you purely want the card for your collection, buying the Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX single is definitely the play. But I totally get the thrill of potentially pulling this legendary card yourself despite the odds being stacked against you!

Why the Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX Captivates Collectors

With modern sets flooding the market with hyper and secret rares, what makes Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX so special? Ask any collector and they‘ll tell you:

Iconic Artwork: The vibrant rainbow colors and detailed texture create a gorgeous and eye-catching design. The artwork pops off the card.

Competitive and Collectible: With 340 HP and a 300 damage attack, this Charizard has remained relevant in tournaments. Its playability enhances the collectibility.

Nostalgic Allure: Charizard resonates strongly with those who grew up with Base Set. This rainbow rare version evokes that nostalgia.

Supreme Rarity: Pull rates of 1 in 312 packs make this an extremely elusive chase card to obtain yourself.

The Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX is a perfect storm of artwork, nostalgia, playability, and rarity that drives collector obsession – myself included!

Just How Much is the Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX Worth?

As a highly desired card from a small, out-of-print set, the Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX commands premium pricing:

These values can fluctuate over time along with supply and demand. But you can expect to pay at minimum over $200 for a copy in lightly played or better condition.

Of course, pulling your own mint condition rainbow rare from packs would net you the highest possible return on investment! But we know the odds are stacked against that dream scenario.

Alternative Ways to Add This Card to Your Collection

Outside of directly buying the card as a single, here are some other options for obtaining the Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX:

• Trading – Offer other rare Chase cards to collectors until you find a match

• Graded Slabs – Pay a premium for PSA/BGS mint graded copies with guaranteed condition

• Mystery Boxes – Sites like PokeBox offer chances at vintage chase cards including this Charizard

• Elite Trainer Displays – Buy sealed displays of Champion‘s Path (very limited availability)

• Open Livestreams – Watch YouTubers like UnlistedLeaf rip Champion‘s Path for a shot at seeing it live

Part of the fun with Pokémon TCG collecting is the thrill of ripping packs for these rare hits. But it takes patience and deep pockets to pull off a miracle like the Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX!

Closing Thoughts from a Fellow Collector

Look, I get it. When you see that rainbow colored flames bursting out of the card frame, it‘s hard not to crave chasing that Charizard rush. But those 1 in 312 pack odds should give us all pause.

While not impossible, pulling the Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX yourself requires a near miraculous level of luck or mountains of disposable income. If money is no object and the adrenaline rush of the gamble drives you, then by all means crack those Champion‘s Path packs to your heart‘s content.

But for the rest of us, it‘s important to weigh whether those booster boxes are worth the steep markup. In many cases, you may be better served buying the single. This guarantees you get the card rather than blowing hundreds with nothing to show for it.

Either way, I hope this guide gave you some helpful insights into tracking down the elusive Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX. Let me know in the comments if you end up pulling off a Charizard miracle! I‘ll live vicariously through you. And if you choose to buy as a single instead, enjoy adding this legendary rare beauty to your Pokémon card collection!