Charizard ex from Paldean Fates: a Darkness-type Flame Pokémon

Fun fact

A Charizard's mood is written in its tail. When it expels a blast of super hot fire, the red flame at the tip of its tail burns more intensely, and if it becomes furious, that flame flares up in a whitish-blue color. Its fire is said to be hot enough to melt boulders, and the Pokédex notes that it can cause forest fires without meaning to.

Its story in Pokémon

Charizard is number 6 in the National Pokédex, the Flame Pokémon, and it has been there since generation I. It was created by Atsuko Nishida and first appeared in Pokémon Red and Blue. It is the final evolution of Charmander, by way of Charmeleon, and in the games it is found in mountain habitats. Over the years it has grown well beyond its first appearance: it has two Mega Evolved forms, Mega Charizard X and Y, and a Gigantamax form in Pokémon Sword and Shield. In the anime, Shin-ichiro Miki voices Charizard in both the Japanese and English-language versions. In Japan, the Pokémon is known as Lizardon.

Its legend among collectors

This version stands out for the Darkness-type treatment, a darker take on a Pokémon better known for its orange scales and orange fire. It is a special illustration rare from Paldean Fates.

In the game

Charizard ex plays as a heavy hitter. Its Infernal Reign Ability lets you fetch up to 3 Basic Fire Energy cards from your deck when you evolve into it, and its Burning Darkness attack hits for 180 plus 30 more for every Prize card your opponent has taken, so it grows stronger as a game draws to a close.

Card data: TCGdex · prices: TCGplayer, Cardmarket.