Obsidian Flames Booster Box (2023): Contents and MSRP
By Dexhaul Team · October 6, 2026
The Pokémon TCG Obsidian Flames Booster Box (SV03) contains 36 packs.
Each pack holds 10 cards plus one basic Energy card. Released on August 11, 2023, as the third Scarlet & Violet expansion, the box carried an MSRP of $143.64 at US launch, or $3.99 per pack.
The official product name is "Booster Display Box" on the Pokémon TCG website. The set is widely known for its Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare, one of the most sought-after cards of the Scarlet & Violet era.
What's inside the Obsidian Flames Booster Box
| Item | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Obsidian Flames booster packs | 36 | Official product name: Booster Display Box |
| Cards per pack | 10 | Plus 1 basic Energy card per pack |
| Total cards | ~360 | Plus 36 basic Energy cards (not counted in total) |
| Set size | 197 cards | Plus additional secret rare variants beyond #197 |
| Exclusive promo cards | None | Booster Display contains packs only; no extra promos |
Each pack guarantees at least one Rare or better card among the 10. The remaining cards follow the standard Scarlet & Violet distribution: Commons, Uncommons, and one Reverse Holo slot (which can upgrade to a higher rarity). Full-art ex cards, Illustration Rares, Special Illustration Rares, and Hyper Rares all pull from the dedicated rare slots across the 36 packs.
Obsidian Flames drew the most collector attention for its Charizard ex lineup. The set includes a standard Charizard ex Double Rare, a full-art Ultra Rare, and the highly illustrated Special Illustration Rare showing the Tera Fire-type Charizard in orchid and purple flame artwork.
There is also a gold-bordered Hyper Rare version of Charizard ex. Four versions of the same Pokémon across four distinct rarity tiers in a single set is notable even by Scarlet & Violet standards.
One format detail is specific to this set: an 18-pack half-display configuration was produced for European retail markets but was never officially distributed in North America. If you see a sealed 18-pack product labeled as an Obsidian Flames half box on the North American secondary market, it is European-origin stock.
MSRP and price per pack
| Product | Packs | Launch MSRP | Per pack | Observed price (Oct 6, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Booster Display Box | 36 | $143.64 | $3.99 | $239–$420 USD |
| Elite Trainer Box (ETB) | 9 | $49.99 | $5.55 (+ accessories) | CA$449.95 |
| Booster Bundle | 6 | $24.99 | $4.17 | $110.99–$120.00 USD |
| Single booster pack | 1 | $3.99 | $3.99 | $11.99–$14.00 USD |
Launch MSRPs are North American retail prices per pokemon.com. Market prices observed October 6, 2026, from independent sellers on DexHaul. Single packs in 2026 trade well above their $3.99 launch MSRP because of secondary demand for Charizard ex pulls.
The gap between launch MSRP and current market price reflects the set's sustained collector demand. Obsidian Flames is a 2023 release, well past its distribution window, so sealed boxes now come primarily from secondary sellers rather than retail restocks.
How it compares: Booster Box vs ETB vs Booster Bundle
The Booster Display Box is the highest pack-count Obsidian Flames product at the lowest MSRP per pack. The Elite Trainer Box trades pack volume for accessories: 9 packs plus sleeves, dice, damage counters, a coin, and a collector's box. The Booster Bundle delivers 6 packs with no extras.
For a collector focused only on opening packs and maximizing chances at rare pulls, the Booster Display Box has the lowest per-pack cost at MSRP. The ETB is the right choice for a player who wants the accessories or a cleaner gift presentation. The Booster Bundle is a middle tier: more packs than a three-pack blister, less commitment than a full box.
Pokemon - Scarlet and Violet - Obsidian Flames - Elite Trainer Box
CA$449.95 CAD
Obsidian Flames release timeline
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| July 28 – August 9, 2023 | Prerelease events at authorized Pokémon TCG stores (Build & Battle Boxes) | pokemon.com |
| August 11, 2023 | English worldwide retail release | pokemon.com |
Obsidian Flames followed Paldea Evolved (SV02, June 2023) by about two months. The next set after OBF was Paradox Rift (SV04), which released November 3, 2023. Both share the same $3.99 per-pack MSRP and 36-pack booster box format.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
The Booster Display Box is for someone who wants to open a substantial number of Obsidian Flames packs in one sitting, chase the Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare, or complete the set.
It is the most cost-efficient format at MSRP. Thirty-six packs at $3.99 each works out to $143.64, compared to $4.17 per pack in a Booster Bundle and $5.55 per pack in the ETB (the ETB premium covers accessories, not extra packs).
Skip it if you want sealed accessories alongside your packs: the Booster Display ships loose packs only, with no sleeves, damage counters, or a collector's box included. The Obsidian Flames ETB is the better choice in that case. Also skip the full box if you are buying one or two packs casually: single packs from the same set are sold individually by independent sellers and let you sample the set without committing to 36 packs.
If you are new to buying sealed Pokémon products, read how to spot fake Pokémon booster boxes before purchasing from an unfamiliar seller. The checklist applies to Obsidian Flames packaging the same as any other SV-era set.
Frequently asked questions
What is the official name for the Obsidian Flames booster box?
The official product name is "Booster Display Box" on the Pokémon TCG website. Sellers and collectors commonly call it the "booster box," and both terms refer to the same 36-pack sealed product.
How many cards are in the Obsidian Flames set?
The base set includes 197 cards (numbered 001/197 through 197/197). The full card pool extends further with secret rare variants that carry numbers above 197, covering additional full-art and alternate-art versions of cards in the set.
Is there a half box for Obsidian Flames?
An 18-pack half-display was produced for European retail but was not officially distributed in North America. North American buyers who find an 18-pack sealed Obsidian Flames product are looking at European-import stock.
What is the chase card in Obsidian Flames?
The Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare (SIR) is the most discussed card in the set. Its orchid-and-purple flame artwork, representing the Tera Fire typing from the Scarlet & Violet games, made it one of the most recognized Scarlet & Violet era cards. The set also includes a Charizard ex Double Rare, Ultra Rare, and Hyper Rare for collectors targeting the full Charizard ex lineup.
When did Obsidian Flames release?
Obsidian Flames (SV03) released on August 11, 2023, in English-language markets. Prereleases ran at authorized stores from July 28 through August 9, 2023.
Browse sealed Obsidian Flames booster boxes and other Scarlet & Violet sets from independent shops at DexHaul's Booster Boxes collection. DexHaul is an independent Pokémon product search engine, not affiliated with The Pokémon Company.