Mega Charizard X ex Ultra-Premium Collection is Worth the Splurge for Fans

I’ve always collected Pokémon trading cards, but I only just started playing using the official format in the last two years. A few decks have crossed my playmats, but variations of a Charizard ex deck have continued to be my main.

I knew I’d need the Phantasmal Flames’ Mega Charizard X ex and Oricorio ex cards to experiment with new deck builds, so that was a good enough excuse as any to try and grab this collection… even if I might try and get the non promo-art versions to play with instead.

Pokémon TCG: Mega Charizard X ex Ultra-Premium Collection (Phantasmal Flames)

Click through the slide show above to see everything included in the Pokémon TCG: Mega Charizard X ex Ultra-Premium Collection, plus some of the cards I pulled from the booster packs.

Here’s a complete list of what’s included in the Pokémon TCG: Mega Charizard X ex Ultra-Premium Collection:

• 1 foil full-art promo card featuring Mega Charizard X ex
• 1 foil full-art promo card featuring Oricorio ex
• 65 card sleeves featuring Mega Charizard X
• 1 playmat featuring Mega Charizard X
• 1 deck box featuring Mega Charizard X
• 1 metal coin featuring Mega Charizard X
• 6 damage-counter dice
• 18 Pokémon TCG booster packs:
  • 2 Surging Sparks TCG booster packs
  • 4 Journey Together TCG booster packs
  • 4 Destined Rivals TCG booster packs
  • 4 Mega Evolution TCG booster packs
  • 4 Phantasmal Flames TCG booster packs
• A code card for Pokémon TCG Live

I pulled a few playables from the Phantasmal Flames and Mega Evolution booster packs (still searching for more Lillie’s Determinations), but I didn’t get any Phantasmal Flames “chase” cards, like any of the rare cards listed on this Phantasmal Flames most expensive cards list.

My favorite random pull is absolutely the Destined Rivals illustration rare Team Rocket’s Houndoom, another one of my favorite Pokémon of all time. Fire and Dark-type Pokémon are my favorites, so I’m stoked for the Charizard X and Houndoom cards and Charizard-themed TCG accessories, what can I say.

The playmat included in this set features nice stitching around the edges that many other official playmats lack, too, so I see it lasting quite a while, and the Mega Charizard X coin is beautiful.

This should go without saying, but I don’t think this collection is worth it unless you aim to use the exclusive TCG accessories that come with it.

I would have preferred some variety between the playmat, deck box, and card sleeves, but at least the art they chose for the set is sick.

The coin brilliantly shines in an array of rainbow colors, and it makes for a neat easter egg balanced on top of my Charizard figure by First 4 Figures.

Though this absolutely is not new as far as Pokémon TCG collections go, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed by the dated array of included booster packs. I would have loved to see more Phantasmal Flames, and even Mega Evolution, booster packs.

But maybe I’m just salty about this because one Mega Charizard X ex Ultra-Premium Collection was the only Phantasmal Flames product my partner and I could purchase between the two of us. I’m lucky I was also sent a press copy of this particular collection so I didn’t have to share! For reference, we succeeded in buying one at The Pokémon Center website, but failed everywhere else for everything else.

But, that’s an entirely different conversation. Even with the $119.99 price tag, I’m happy with the Mega Charizard X ex Ultra-Premium Collection as both a huge fan of Charizard and the TCG.

Best Phantasmal Flames Cards Chase Cards

According to marketplaces like TCGPlayer, certain Phantasmal Flames cards have already skyrocketed further in price, and, following up from our Mega Evolution round-up, we’ve ranked the ten most expensive cards so far just above. From aggressive Mega attackers to powerful evolution support, Phantasmal Flames brings a fiery mix of competitive threats and high-demand pulls.

Casey DeFreitas is the Deputy Editor of Guides at IGN and loves all things Pokémon. Catch her on all socials as @ShinyCaseyD