Yes, Flying Pikachu VMAX is a Secret Rare Card

Flying Pikachu VMAX is considered a Secret Rare card in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. As one of the most valuable and sought-after cards from the Sword & Shield era, its scarcity and demand among collectors cements its status as a Secret Rare.

Rarity Breakdown of Pokémon Cards

To understand the different rarity tiers of Pokémon cards, here is a quick overview from most common to rarest:

• Common – The standard card found in most packs
• Uncommon – Slightly rarer than Common cards
• Rare – More unique cards with holofoil; about 1 per pack
• Ultra Rare – V, VMAX, Full Arts; roughly 1 per 2-3 packs
• Secret Rare – Special cards not part of the main set; very limited

Secret Rares are not included in the normal set numbering and do not have published pull rates. They are interspersed randomly into booster boxes at undisclosed frequencies. This makes them highly elusive and valuable to collectors.

Why Flying Pikachu VMAX Qualifies as a Secret Rare

Flying Pikachu VMAX possesses several attributes that designate it as a Secret Rare within the Vivid Voltage expansion:

• Not Part of Main Set Numbering: Flying Pikachu VMAX has a card number of VMAX-25/185 rather than the standard SWSH##/185 format. This indicates its Secret Rare status.

• Undisclosed Pull Rates: The pull rates for Secret Rares are not published or guaranteed within booster boxes. Their scarcity is part of the appeal.

• Special Treatment: Flying Pikachu VMAX received unique artwork and attention as a mashup of two iconic cards – further suggesting its special Secret Rare designation.

• High Secondary Market Value: As a coveted Ultra Rare and Secret Rare, Flying Pikachu VMAX sells for many multiples above the value of standard VMAX cards from the same era.

Based on these qualifiers, TCG players and collectors widely acknowledge Flying Pikachu VMAX as one of the Secret Rares from the Vivid Voltage set.

Estimated Pull Rates for Flying Pikachu VMAX

While the actual rarity rates are undisclosed, based on box opening data and card population reports, we can estimate the rough pull rates for Flying Pikachu VMAX:

• Booster Box (36 packs): 1 in 12 boxes
• Elite Trainer Box (10 packs): 1 in 40 ETBs
• Individual Pack: 1 in 18,000 packs

For context, here are the estimated pull rates for some other Secret Rares:

As you can see, Flying Pikachu VMAX has similar secret rare pull rates as other coveted cards from the era. Finding one in a random individual pack is akin to winning the lottery.

How Its Rarity Drives Value in the Marketplace

Due to its Secret Rare status and extremely limited supply, Flying Pikachu VMAX commands a premium price on the secondary collector market:

• Raw Near Mint Price: $28 to $35
• PSA 10 Gem Mint Price: $150 to $200+

For comparison, here are the prices for some other modern Secret Rares:

Pokemon Secret Rares in mint condition generally sell for many times more than their normal versions. Flying Pikachu VMAX sits among some of the most valuable despite being less iconic than a Charizard.

My Take as a Pokémon Enthusiast

As someone who has collected Pokémon cards since the original Base Set as a kid, I love when special Secret Rare cards like Flying Pikachu VMAX get released. It combines the nostalgia of a retro promo Pikachu with the excitement of pulling one of the rarest cards in the Sword & Shield series.

While I wish they weren‘t so limited, the scarcity does make pulling a Flying Pikachu VMAX feel like you‘ve won the lottery as a collector. And the artwork and uniqueness of the card really appeals to long-time Pokemon fans.

For competitive play, the VMAX mechanic makes Flying Pikachu a fun and viable card too. Overall it‘s just a really well-executed Secret Rare that captures the history and innovation of the Pokémon TCG.