DNA - Card of the Month Winner - May 2025
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DNA - Card of the Month – May 2025
Dark Charizard – Team Rocket (2000) 1st Edition Holo #4
Welcome to our very first Card of the Month spotlight from DNA Card Vault! For May 2025, our community has spoken—and the winner is none other than the legendary rogue dragon himself: Dark Charizard from the original Team Rocket set.
This isn’t just any version—we’re spotlighting the 1st Edition Holofoil #4, one of the most coveted cards of the Wizards of the Coast era and a cornerstone of early Pokémon collecting.
A Rebel Is Born
Released in April 2000, the Team Rocket set introduced a new twist to the Pokémon universe: Dark Pokémon—creatures corrupted or influenced by the notorious Team Rocket. Dark Charizard #4 (Holo Rare) stood at the top of this lineup as the ultimate symbol of that darkness.
This was the first time fans saw Charizard as something other than a noble powerhouse. It quickly became the chase card of the set, rivaling even the Base Set Charizard in popularity.
- Set: Team Rocket
- Card Number: #4/82
- Edition: 1st Edition Holofoil
- Illustrator: Ken Sugimori
- English Release Date: April 2000
- Current Market Value: $400–$2,500+ (PSA 9–10 as of April 2025 on TCGplayer)
Artwork with an Edge
Ken Sugimori’s artwork on this card is stark, clean, and bold—just like the original design sheets he created for the Pokémon games. Dark Charizard appears mid-flight, wings tucked back, cloaked in shadows. The sparse background and angular pose add a dramatic flair that stands in contrast to the Base Set's fiery explosion.
It’s a sinister twist on one of the game’s most beloved icons—and it left a lasting impression on collectors.
Playability: Risky but Explosive
In its day, Dark Charizard wasn’t the easiest to use, but it was capable of massive damage under the right conditions. Here’s what made it stand out:
- Stage: Stage 2 (Evolves from Dark Charmeleon)
- HP: 80
- Attack 1 – Nail Flick: A simple 10-damage move, more symbolic than strategic.
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Attack 2 – Continuous Fireball:
Flip a coin for each Fire Energy attached. Discard that many, and deal 50 damage per heads.
It was a high-risk, high-reward card—unpredictable and expensive to fuel, but devastating with lucky flips. While not a top-tier competitive card, it earned a cult following in casual play.
Today, it’s unplayable in official formats but remains a fun pick in retro formats and draft-style cubes.
Nostalgia Overload
The 1st Edition Holo Dark Charizard #4 is pure nostalgia fuel. For collectors in the early 2000s, pulling this card was a core memory. It was edgy. It was rare. It was Charizard—but with a rebellious twist.
Ask any Gen 1 kid what card they wish they’d kept in mint condition, and this one is always near the top.
Collector’s Corner
This version is a grail card for many collectors:
- 1st Edition Holo #4 is vastly more valuable than the non-holo #21 or unlimited holo versions.
- PSA 10 copies consistently command $2,000–$4,000+ at auction.
- Even raw Near Mint copies sell for $400–$800, depending on centering and foil quality.
- The 1st Edition stamp and holofoil make it a standout centerpiece in any early WotC collection.
Final Thoughts
The 1st Edition Holo Dark Charizard #4 isn’t just a collectible—it’s a symbol of Pokémon TCG’s creative evolution. It embraced risk, introduced darker themes, and added narrative depth to one of the most recognizable Pokémon of all time.
For all of those reasons, and thanks to your votes, we proudly name it our Card of the Month for May 2025.
Want to show off your own copy? Join the conversation in our Discord Server here https://discord.gg/XUeVmmeAaA or tag us on social media with your best Dark Charizard flex!
Don’t forget—voting for June’s Card of the Month opens in 2 weeks!