March 24, 2025

Pokémon Darkness Ablaze Elite Trainer Box – A Collector’s Dream or Just Another Set?

The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) continues to captivate collectors and players with each new expansion. One of the most talked-about sets in recent years is Darkness Ablaze, which introduced powerful cards, including the highly sought-after Charizard VMAX. The Pokemon Darkness Ablaze Elite Trainer Box (ETB) offers a mix of booster packs, themed accessories, and collector-friendly items, making it a must-have for fans. But is it truly a collector’s dream, or just another standard set in the Pokémon TCG lineup? Let’s dive into its features, value, and long-term collectibility.

What’s Inside the Darkness Ablaze Elite Trainer Box?

The Darkness Ablaze ETB follows the traditional format of Elite Trainer Boxes, offering a mix of gameplay essentials and collector-oriented items. Each box includes:

  • 8 Darkness Ablaze booster packs
  • 65 card sleeves featuring Eternatus
  • 45 Pokémon TCG Energy cards
  • A Darkness Ablaze player’s guide
  • 6 damage-counter dice
  • 1 coin-flip die
  • 2 acrylic condition markers
  • A collector’s box with dividers

For competitive players, the Energy cards, dice, and condition markers are practical tools. Meanwhile, collectors appreciate the themed card sleeves and storage box, both of which showcase Eternatus, the Dark/Dragon-type Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Sword & Shield.

The Appeal of Darkness Ablaze – The Chase Cards

One of the biggest factors influencing the popularity of an Elite Trainer Box is the quality of its booster packs. Darkness Ablaze features several highly desirable cards, making it a standout expansion. The most notable cards include:

  • Charizard VMAX (#020/189) – The main highlight of the set, this fiery card is a top chase for collectors. Its full-art, rainbow, and standard versions are among the most valuable pulls.
  • Eternatus VMAX (#117/189, #192/189) – A powerful representation of Eternatus, making it an excellent card for players and collectors alike.
  • Scizor VMAX (#119/189) – A fan-favorite Pokémon that adds nostalgic appeal to the set.
  • Butterfree VMAX (#190/189) – A beautifully illustrated full-art card featuring the beloved Gen 1 Pokémon.
  • Gold and Rainbow Rare Cards – The set includes several ultra-rare Trainer and Pokémon cards that add further excitement to each pack.

Since the Darkness Ablaze ETB includes eight booster packs, collectors and players have a solid chance of pulling at least one high-value card. However, as with all Pokémon TCG products, the pulls are random, and there’s no guarantee of hitting the chase cards.

Is It Worth Buying for Collectors?

The Darkness Ablaze ETB has significant collector appeal for several reasons:

  • Charizard VMAX Factor – Sets featuring Charizard tend to hold long-term value. While Darkness Ablaze doesn’t have a Rainbow Charizard, the standard VMAX version is still a major chase card.
  • Limited Reprints – While Pokémon does reprint popular sets, Elite Trainer Boxes often become scarce after the initial release.
  • Themed Sleeves & Storage Box – The exclusive Eternatus-themed accessories make the ETB a visually appealing collectible.
  • Historical Significance – As one of the main expansions in the Sword & Shield era, Darkness Ablaze holds value as a representation of this generation of Pokémon cards.

Sealed ETBs tend to appreciate in value over time, especially if the set includes sought-after cards. Collectors who keep their ETBs sealed may see a rise in resale value as availability decreases.

Is It Good for Players?

For competitive Pokémon TCG players, Darkness Ablaze provides some strong deck-building options. Charizard VMAX and Eternatus VMAX have powerful moves that can fit into various strategies. However, since ETBs don’t guarantee specific cards, competitive players may prefer buying individual booster packs or singles rather than relying on random pulls.

The included Energy cards and accessories are useful, but for those looking to optimize their decks, purchasing a Build & Battle Kit or Trainer’s Toolkit may be more efficient.

How Does It Compare to Other Elite Trainer Boxes?

When comparing the Darkness Ablaze ETB to other sets, a few things stand out:

  • Vs. Champion’s Path ETB – The Champion’s Path ETB features a guaranteed Charizard promo card, making it more appealing to collectors. Darkness Ablaze, on the other hand, does not include a promo card but has a wider variety of sought-after pulls.
  • Vs. Vivid Voltage ETB – Vivid Voltage includes Pikachu VMAX, another fan-favorite chase card. However, Darkness Ablaze has the stronger appeal for Charizard fans.
  • Vs. Evolving Skies ETB – Evolving Skies has become one of the most valuable modern Pokémon sets, thanks to its Eeveelution alternate art cards. While Darkness Ablaze is a strong set, it doesn’t have the same diversity of chase cards.

Overall, Darkness Ablaze remains a solid choice for Charizard collectors, but it competes with other high-profile sets.

Long-Term Value and Investment Potential

For those looking to invest in Pokémon cards, sealed Darkness Ablaze ETBs have potential to increase in value over time. Here’s why:

  • Charizard Factor – History shows that sets featuring Charizard tend to rise in price.
  • Limited Supply – As time passes, sealed ETBs will become harder to find, increasing their rarity.
  • Collector Demand – Pokémon TCG has a strong community of collectors who seek out sealed products for future resale or nostalgia.

That said, Pokémon TCG investments are always subject to market fluctuations. While Darkness Ablaze has strong elements of collectibility, it may not reach the heights of ultra-premium sets like Hidden Fates or Evolving Skies.

Final Verdict – Collector’s Dream or Just Another Set?

The Darkness Ablaze Elite Trainer Box is more than just another Pokémon TCG set—it has strong collector appeal thanks to the presence of Charizard VMAX, exclusive accessories, and its role in the Sword & Shield era. However, it lacks the promo card that some other ETBs include, which may deter some buyers.

At Top Ripping, we bring the thrill of Trading Card Games (TCG) to collectors and players worldwide. Specializing in Booster Packs, Elite Trainer Boxes, Rare Collectibles, and Exclusive Sets, we provide top-quality TCG products from brands like Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Magic: The Gathering. Join our live ‘Rip & Ship’ events on TikTok, where we open packs in real time and ship them directly to you. With secure, fast shipping and a passion for the TCG community, we ensure an exciting and seamless experience.