The Short Answer
- Mega Charizard X ex SIR #125 is the set's trophy — ~$500-800 raw, $1,200+ at PSA 10
- Mega Charizard X ex MHR #130 (~$256) is the second chase — MHR rarity ~1:956 packs
- Dawn SIR #129 is the set's sleeper — first-ever solo Dawn card, strong collector demand
- Mid-tier SIRs (Sharpedo, Rotom, Lopunny) run $14-25 raw — grade only flawless copies
- Phantasmal Flames is extremely top-loaded — the top card outweighs the next 4 combined
- At ~1:415 per specific SIR, expect most pulled chases to be mid-tier — grade selectively
The Mega Era's Most Top-Loaded Set
Phantasmal Flames (set code PFL/ME02) released November 14, 2025 — the second Mega Evolution expansion, built from Japan's Inferno X plus the Mega Gengar ex and Mega Diancie ex starter sets. Its 130 cards (94 main + 36 secret rares) hide the era's biggest chase: Mega Charizard X ex SIR #125, trading ~$500-800 raw and $1,200+ in PSA 10.
This is a top-loaded set — the #1 card outweighs the next four combined. That means grading decisions split cleanly: the Charizard cards and Dawn are almost always worth grading; most everything else needs a screen. Here's the breakdown.
Set Structure
- Released: November 14, 2025 (prerelease November 1)
- Size: 130 cards (94 main set + 36 secret rares); master set 224 including reverse holos
- Identity: Fire and Darkness types; six Mega Evolution Pokemon ex — Mega Charizard X ex, Mega Gengar ex, Mega Heracross ex, Mega Lopunny ex, Mega Sharpedo ex, Mega Diancie ex
- Rarities: 5 Special Illustration Rares, 13 Illustration Rares, 1 Mega Hyper Rare, 17 Ultra Rares
The Mega Charizard X ex SIR (#125, illustrator danciao — Charmander, Charmeleon, and Mega Charizard X in a single frame) is widely considered the Mega Evolution era's best artwork and its defining chase.
The Chase Cards Worth Grading
| Card | # | Est. Raw | Est. PSA 10 | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Charizard X ex SIR | 125 | ~$500-800 | ~$1,200+ | Always grade a clean copy |
| Mega Charizard X ex MHR | 130 | ~$250-256 | ~$500-700+ | Grade — ~1:956 pull |
| Dawn SIR | 129 | ~$20-180 | ~$200-400+ | Grade strong copies |
Mega Charizard X ex SIR: at current values, the PSA 10 premium (~$400-500 over raw) covers any grading tier easily — even Express ($199) works on a card this strong. This is the era's grail; grade it without hesitation if the card is clean.
MHR Charizard: ~1-in-956-pack scarcity means even mid grades hold value. Grade it — the slab authenticates and protects a genuinely rare card regardless of outcome.
Dawn SIR: the first solo Dawn card ever printed, with collector demand beyond playability. Early PSA 10 premiums justify grading on any clean copy.
The Mid-Tier: Grade Only the Best
| Card | # | Est. Raw | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Sharpedo ex SIR | 127 | ~$19-25 | Only flawless candidates |
| Rotom ex SIR | 126 | ~$17 | Only flawless; CGC Economy lane |
| Mega Lopunny ex SIR | 128 | ~$14-15 | Usually skip |
| Mega Gengar ex UR | ~110s | ~$25-30 | Screen; Ultra Rares pull ~1:204 |
| Illustration Rares | various | ~$3-15 | Skip — fee exceeds value |
The trap: at ~1:415 packs per specific SIR, most Phantasmal Flames rips produce mid-tier SIRs, not Charizards. A $20-raw SIR graded at ~$70 all-in loses money on everything but a PSA 10 with strong comp support — screen these ruthlessly.
Screening Phantasmal Flames Cards
- Textured surface: SIRs and MHRs have embossed texture — check for press-roller lines and scratches under tilted light.
- Centering: full-bleed artwork means centering reads as frame position; measure it, don't eyeball it — centering checker.
- Edges: check all four for whitening, especially on dark-toned cards (this is a Darkness-heavy set).
- Warp check: hold the card edge-on — foil cards can bow slightly; significant warp hurts surface scores.
- Back edges: the standard blue Pokemon back still shows whitening — inspect backs separately.
AI pre-grading flags all four defect categories from front/back photos — the fastest screen on a $20 SIR before deciding whether the fee makes sense.
The ROI Math
MCX SIR example: raw $600 → PSA 10 $1,200. All-in PSA Standard ~$70-85 → profit ~$500+ at 10, break-even-ish at 9 (~$700-900). Clear grade.
Mid SIR example: Sharpedo ex SIR raw $20 → PSA 10 ~$60-80. All-in ~$20-22 at CGC Economy → profit only at 10; at 9 you lose. Screen or skip.
The rule for this set: grade Charizards and clean Dawns at full confidence; everything else only if it survives a strict defect screen. Check live comps before submitting — our ROI calculator runs the math.
How to Submit Phantasmal Flames Cards
- Screen every candidate (AI or loupe + light).
- Pick the tier by value: MCX cards → PSA Standard/Priority; mid SIRs → CGC Economy or SGC.
- Declare graded value — MCX SIR at PSA 10 comps ~$1,200, which fits PSA's $1,500 Priority cap (not the $1,000 Standard cap — declare carefully; see our declared value guide).
- Pack properly and ship tracked.
Full process in our PSA submission guide and CGC cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most valuable card in Phantasmal Flames?
Is Phantasmal Flames worth grading?
What is the pull rate for Mega Charizard X ex SIR?
How much does it cost to grade a Phantasmal Flames card?
Should I grade the Mega Charizard X ex MHR?
Sources & Further Reading
- TCG Watchtower — Phantasmal Flames
- Chase Season — Phantasmal Flames
- Bulbapedia — Phantasmal Flames
- PSA Population Report
The PreGradeCards Research Team combines machine-learning engineers, grading analysts, and collector-education specialists to produce accurate, data-driven guides on AI card grading, professional grading standards, and collecting strategy.
With submission floors rising, pre-screening is no longer optional. Use our AI Pre-Grade Calculator to score a card's PSA 10 odds before you pay, and the Submission Planner to pick the right tier.