Pokemon TCG: Darkness Ablaze Set

Released (English)	14 August 2020
Released (Japanese)	5 June 2020
Cards (English)	201 (189 + 12 secret rares)
Cards (Japanese)	Infinity Zone (S3)
Series	Sword & Shield (Generation VIII)
Region focus	Galar
Previous expansion	Rebel Clash
Following expansion	Champion’s Path
Associated decks	Galarian Darmanitan & Galarian Sirfetch’d theme decks
Japanese sets	Infinity Zone (S3) + Explosive Walker (S2a)

Quick menu: Overview / Set Highlights / Print Versions / English version vs. Japanese Variations / Set List / Most Valuable Cards / Most Powerful Cards / Images & Videos

The Darkness Ablaze expansion is the third main set of the Pokémon TCG Sword & Shield era, released in English on 14 August 2020. Its 201 cards (189 in the main set plus 12 secret rares) are best known for a single card — Charizard VMAX (#20), one of the most iconic and valuable cards of the entire era.

Assembled from the Japanese Infinity Zone (S3, 5 June 2020) with cards drawn in from the Explosive Walker subset and the Charizard & Grimmsnarl VMAX Starter Sets, Darkness Ablaze debuts the Legendary Eternatus V and its towering Eternatus VMAX — the Galar box mascot — alongside Gigantamax forms for Charizard, Centiskorch and Grimmsnarl, plus Salamence, Scizor and Butterfree VMAX.

Competitively it was a landmark set. Eternatus VMAX anchored the dominant Darkness deck of the season, Crobat V became a universal draw engine, and the Supporter Rose offered energy acceleration so strong it was later banned from Standard play.

Set Highlights: A Brilliant Flame

Darkness Ablaze is stacked with Gigantamax VMAX Pokémon — headlined by the legendary Charizard VMAX and the box mascot Eternatus VMAX:

Print Versions & Collectors Info

Darkness Ablaze launched as a full retail expansion: sealed booster boxes, an Elite Trainer Box, two Galarian Darmanitan and Galarian Sirfetch’d theme decks, and a Build & Battle box. The English release runs to 201 cards — 189 in the main set plus 12 secret rares.

How it compares to Japan and Korea. In Japan the core of the set was Infinity Zone (S3, 5 June 2020), home of Eternatus, with the Gigantamax Charizard and Grimmsnarl cards arriving via the Explosive Walker subset and dedicated VMAX Starter Sets. Korea, which localises the Japanese sets, released the same material as 무한 존 (Infinity Zone) sharing the Japanese pack artwork. As across the era, the English set is larger, its count swollen by full-art and secret-rare alternates.

The English set came in four booster artworks — Gigantamax Charizard, Gigantamax Centiskorch, Gigantamax Grimmsnarl and Eternamax Eternatus — shown here alongside the Japanese Infinity Zone pack:

Beyond boosters, the set was sold as a sealed 36-pack booster box, an Elite Trainer Box, two single-Prize theme decks (Galarian Darmanitan and Galarian Sirfetch’d), and a Build & Battle box:

Variations between the Japanese and English language releases

Unlike a straight one-to-one localisation, the English Darkness Ablaze pulls from more than one Japanese product. Its backbone is Infinity Zone (S3, 5 June 2020), which introduced Eternatus, while the Gigantamax Charizard and Grimmsnarl cards were first printed in the Explosive Walker subset and the VMAX Starter Sets. The Pokémon Company combined that material into the single 201-card English expansion on 14 August 2020.

The cards themselves are near-identical between regions, differing only in the language of the name and text and in the set symbol. The English set adds the extra secret rares — rainbow-rare VMAX, full-art V and Supporter cards, and gold Trainers and Energy — that make up numbers 190—201.

Here are the Japanese products this expansion draws from — the Infinity Zone (S3) booster pack, booster box and set logo:

Set List

The full 201-card Darkness Ablaze expansion (189 cards in the main set, numbered x/189, plus 12 secret rares numbered 190—201). Each entry shows the card image and its abilities and attacks.

Card Image	No.	Card name	Rarity	Card type
	1/189	Butterfree V
	Card text Dizzying Poison — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Confused and Poisoned. Blasting Wind 130
	2/189	Butterfree VMAX
	Card text G-Max Toxbreeze 150 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Confused and Poisoned.
	3/189	Paras
	Card text Scratch 20
	4/189	Parasect
	Card text Mushroom Tackle 30 — Flip a coin. If heads, your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Paralyzed. Solar Beam 110
	5/189	Carnivine
	Card text Return 20 — You may draw cards until you have 5 cards in your hand. Giga Drain 40 — Heal from this Pokémon the same amount of damage you did to your opponent’s Active Pokémon.
	6/189	Pansage
	Card text Seed Bomb 10 Bite 20
	7/189	Simisage
	Card text Seed Bomb 30 Giga Impact 110 — During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t attack.
	8/189	Karrablast
	Card text Continuous Headbutt 20× — Flip a coin until you get tails. This attack does 20 damage for each heads.
	9/189	Shelmet
	Card text Spray Fluid 10
	10/189	Accelgor
	Card text Jet Headbutt 70
	11/189	Rowlet
	Card text Ability — Sky Circus: If you played Bird Keeper from your hand during this turn, ignore all Energy in this Pokémon’s attack costs. Wind Shard — This attack does 60 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)
	12/189	Dartrix
	Card text Razor Leaf 40
	13/189	Decidueye
	Card text Ability — Deep Forest Camo: Prevent all damage done to this Pokémon by attacks from your opponent’s Pokémon V and Pokémon-GX. Splitting Arrow 90 — This attack also does 20 damage to 2 of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)
	14/189	Bounsweet
	Card text Synthesis — Search your deck for a Grass Energy card and attach it to 1 of your Pokémon. Then, shuffle your deck. Flop 20
	15/189	Steenee
	Card text Captivate — Switch 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon with their Active Pokémon. Smack 40
	16/189	Tsareena
	Card text Power Whip — This attack does 20 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Pokémon for each Energy attached to this Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.) Time Out Kick 100 — You may put an Energy attached to your opponent’s Active Pokémon into their hand.
	17/189	Wimpod
	Card text Gnaw and Run 10 — Switch this Pokémon with 1 of your Benched Pokémon.
	18/189	Golisopod
	Card text Hard Times Slash 30+ — This attack does 50 more damage for each of your opponent’s Pokémon V and Pokémon-GX in play. Smash Turn 70 — Switch this Pokémon with 1 of your Benched Pokémon.
	19/189	Charizard V
	Card text Claw Slash 80 Fire Spin 220 — Discard 2 Energy from this Pokémon.
	20/189	Charizard VMAX
	Card text Claw Slash 100 G-Max Wildfire 300 — Discard 2 Energy from this Pokémon.
	21/189	Houndoom V
	Card text Searing Flame 20 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Burned. Vengeful Flame 100+ — If your Benched Fire Pokémon have any damage counters on them, this attack does 100 more damage.
	22/189	Torchic
	Card text Call for Family — Search your deck for a Basic Pokémon and put it onto your Bench. Then, shuffle your deck. Live Coal 10
	23/189	Combusken
	Card text Smash Kick 20 Heat Beak 40 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Burned.
	24/189	Blaziken
	Card text Ability — Double Type: As long as this Pokémon is in play, it is Fire and Fighting type. Turbo Drive 130 — Attach a basic Energy card from your discard pile to 1 of your Benched Pokémon.
	25/189	Heatran
	Card text Fire Fang 30 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Burned. Raging Flare 80+ — This attack does 10 more damage for each damage counter on this Pokémon.
	26/189	Pansear
	Card text Live Coal 10 Bite 20
	27/189	Simisear
	Card text Flare 30 Giga Impact 110 — During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t attack.
	28/189	Galarian Darmanitan
	Card text Headbutt 40 Frozen Heat 110+ — You may discard all Water Energy from this Pokémon. If you do, this attack does 60 more damage.
	29/189	Larvesta
	Card text Singe — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Burned.
	30/189	Volcarona
	Card text Cauterize 80 — If your opponent’s Active Pokémon has no damage counters on it before this attack does damage, this attack does nothing. Fire Wing 110
	31/189	Fletchinder
	Card text Searing Flame 20 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Burned.
	32/189	Talonflame
	Card text Ability — Scorching Feathers: If this Pokémon is in the Active Spot and is damaged by an attack from your opponent’s Pokémon (even if this Pokémon is Knocked Out), the Attacking Pokémon is now Burned. Mach Flight 120 — During your opponent’s next turn, the Defending Pokémon can’t retreat.
	33/189	Centiskorch V
	Card text Radiating Heat 20 — You may discard an Energy from this Pokémon. If you do, discard an Energy from your opponent’s Active Pokémon. Burning Train 180
	34/189	Centiskorch VMAX
	Card text G-Max Centiferno 40+ — This attack does 40 more damage for each Fire Energy attached to this Pokémon. If you did any damage with this attack, you may attach a Fire Energy card from your discard pile to this Pokémon.
	35/189	Galarian Mr. Mime
	Card text Reflect — During your opponent’s next turn, this Pokémon takes 30 less damage from attacks (after applying Weakness and Resistance). Icy Snow 30
	36/189	Galarian Mr. Rime
	Card text Ability — Shuffle Dance: Once during your turn, you may switch 1 of your opponent’s face-down Prize cards with the top card of their deck. (The cards stay face down.) Mad Party 20× — This attack does 20 damage for each Pokémon in your discard pile that has the Mad Party attack.
	37/189	Suicune
	Card text Wave Splash 20 Aurora Loop 130 — Put 2 Water Energy attached to this Pokémon into your hand.
	38/189	Feebas
	Card text Nap — Heal 20 damage from this Pokémon.
	39/189	Milotic
	Card text Ability — Bright Heal: Once during your turn, you may heal 20 damage from each of your Pokémon. Surf 80
	40/189	Relicanth
	Card text Fossil Search — Search your deck for up to 2 Rare Fossil cards and put them onto your Bench. Then, shuffle your deck. Surf 40
	41/189	Panpour
	Card text Water Gun 10 Bite 20
	42/189	Simipour
	Card text Water Gun 30 Giga Impact 110 — During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t attack.
	43/189	Galarian Darumaka
	Card text Tackle 10 Headbutt 20
	44/189	Galarian Darmanitan
	Card text Blizzard 80 — This attack also does 10 damage to each of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.) Crushing Headbutt 170 — During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t use Crushing Headbutt.
	45/189	Vanillite
	Card text Ice Over 10 — Flip a coin. If heads, your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
	46/189	Vanillish
	Card text Freezing Headbutt 30 — Flip a coin. If heads, your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
	47/189	Vanilluxe
	Card text Ability — Bitter Cold: Once during your turn, if this Pokémon is in the Active Spot, you may flip a coin. If heads, your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Paralyzed. Frost Smash 90
	48/189	Cubchoo
	Card text Chop 10 Icicle 30
	49/189	Beartic
	Card text Slash 40 Frozen Slice 150 — This Pokémon also does 50 damage to itself.
	50/189	Wishiwashi
	Card text Deep Sea Swirl — Shuffle your hand into your deck. Then, draw 8 cards. Wave Splash 20
	51/189	Mareanie
	Card text Regeneration — Heal 30 damage from this Pokémon. Poison Tentacles 20 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Poisoned.
	52/189	Toxapex
	Card text Recover — Discard an Energy from this Pokémon and heal all damage from it. Poisonous Whip 80 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Poisoned.
	53/189	Dracovish
	Card text Ability — Primal Law: As long as this Pokémon is in the Active Spot, your opponent can’t play any Pokémon from their hand to evolve their Pokémon. Hammer In 120
	54/189	Arctovish
	Card text Hard Face 90 — During your opponent’s next turn, this Pokémon takes 60 less damage from attacks (after applying Weakness and Resistance). Cold Breath 130 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Asleep.
	55/189	Mareep
	Card text Static Shock 20
	56/189	Flaaffy
	Card text Static Shock 40
	57/189	Ampharos
	Card text Dazzle Blast 50 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Confused. Electric Ball 130
	58/189	Electrike
	Card text Thunderbolt 50 — Discard all Energy from this Pokémon.
	59/189	Manectric
	Card text Strafe 30 — You may switch this Pokémon with 1 of your Benched Pokémon. Flash Impact 150 — This attack also does 30 damage to 1 of your Benched Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)
	60/189	Vikavolt V
	Card text Paralyzing Bolt 50 — During your opponent’s next turn, they can’t play any Item cards from their hand. Super Zap Cannon 190 — Discard 2 Energy from this Pokémon.
	61/189	Tapu Koko
	Card text Allure — Draw 2 cards. Electric Ball 110
	62/189	Toxel
	Card text Slap 10 Static Shock 20
	63/189	Toxtricity
	Card text Risk Taker — Flip a coin. If heads, discard the top 5 cards of your opponent’s deck. If tails, discard the top 5 cards of your deck. Thunder Jolt 160 — This Pokémon also does 30 damage to itself.
	64/189	Pincurchin
	Card text Double Draw — Draw 2 cards. Zing Zap 50 — Flip a coin. If heads, your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
	65/189	Dracozolt
	Card text Amping Up 30 — During your next turn, this Pokémon’s Amping Up attack does 90 more damage (before applying Weakness and Resistance). Giga Impact 200 — During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t attack.
	66/189	Arctozolt
	Card text Ability — Biting Whirlpool: Whenever your opponent attaches an Energy card from their hand to 1 of their Pokémon, put 2 damage counters on that Pokémon. Electro Ball 70
	67/189	Jigglypuff
	Card text Mumble 10 Moon Kick 20
	68/189	Wigglytuff
	Card text Sleep Pulse 30 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Asleep. Double Smash 90× — Flip 2 coins. This attack does 90 damage for each heads.
	69/189	Mew V
	Card text X Ball 30× — This attack does 30 damage for each Energy attached to both Active Pokémon.
	70/189	Snubbull
	Card text Sharp Fang 30
	71/189	Granbull
	Card text Jaw Lock 50 — During your opponent’s next turn, the Defending Pokémon can’t retreat. Headbutt Bounce 130
	72/189	Lunatone
	Card text Future Sight — Look at the top 4 cards of either player’s deck and put them back in any order. Psychic 20+ — This attack does 20 more damage for each Energy attached to your opponent’s Active Pokémon.
	73/189	Gothita
	Card text Fortunate Eye — Look at the top 5 cards of your opponent’s deck and put them back in any order. Gentle Slap 30
	74/189	Gothorita
	Card text Whiny Voice — Choose a random card from your opponent’s hand. Your opponent reveals that card and shuffles it into their deck. Double Spin 30× — Flip 2 coins. This attack does 30 damage for each heads.
	75/189	Gothitelle
	Card text Mind Bend 40 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Confused. Bend 90 — Choose 2 random cards from your opponent’s hand. Your opponent reveals those cards and shuffles them into their deck.
	76/189	Golett
	Card text Rollout 30 Hammer In 50
	77/189	Golurk
	Card text Dynamic Chop 80 Golurk Hammer 180
	78/189	Dedenne
	Card text Mad Party 20× — This attack does 20 damage for each Pokémon in your discard pile that has the Mad Party attack.
	79/189	Morelull
	Card text Spore — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Asleep. Flop 20
	80/189	Shiinotic
	Card text Flickering Light 30 — Flip a coin. If heads, during your opponent’s next turn, the Defending Pokémon can’t attack. Fear the Forest 60+ — If Glimwood Tangle is in play, this attack does 60 more damage.
	81/189	Mimikyu
	Card text Ability — Heal Jamming: Your opponent’s Benched Pokémon can’t be healed. Claw Slash 30
	82/189	Sinistea
	Card text Furtive Drop — Put 2 damage counters on your opponent’s Active Pokémon.
	83/189	Polteageist
	Card text Ability — Tea Break: You must discard a Pokémon that has the Mad Party attack from your hand in order to use this Ability. Once during your turn, you may draw 2 cards. Mad Party 20× — This attack does 20 damage for each Pokémon in your discard pile that has the Mad Party attack.
	84/189	Diglett
	Card text Scratch 20
	85/189	Dugtrio
	Card text Dig 30 — Flip a coin. If heads, during your opponent’s next turn, prevent all damage from and effects of attacks done to this Pokémon. Mud Bomb 70
	86/189	Larvitar
	Card text Sand Spray 10 Pierce 20
	87/189	Pupitar
	Card text Sand Spray 20 Rocket Evolution 40 — Search your deck for a card that evolves from this Pokémon and put it onto this Pokémon to evolve it. Then, shuffle your deck.
	88/189	Tyranitar
	Card text Bedrock Breaker 120 — Discard a Stadium in play. Mountain Swing 250 — Discard the top 5 cards of your deck.
	89/189	Trapinch
	Card text Land’s Pulse 10+ — If a Stadium is in play, this attack does 10 more damage.
	90/189	Vibrava
	Card text Sand Pulse 20 — This attack also does 10 damage to each of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)
	91/189	Flygon
	Card text Ability — Labyrinth of Sand: As long as this Pokémon is in the Active Spot, your opponent’s Active Pokémon can’t retreat. Desert Geyser 130 — If your opponent has a Stadium in play, discard it. If you discarded a Stadium in this way, during your opponent’s next turn, prevent all damage from and effects of attacks done to this Pokémon.
	92/189	Solrock
	Card text Ability — Resistance Shade: If you have Lunatone in play, your opponent’s Pokémon in play have no Resistance. Rock Throw 30
	93/189	Hippopotas
	Card text Tackle 10 Double Stomp 70+ — Flip 2 coins. This attack does 30 more damage for each heads.
	94/189	Hippowdon
	Card text Triple Smash 80× — Flip 3 coins. This attack does 80 damage for each heads. Land Crush 150
	95/189	Rhyperior V
	Card text Drill Run 80 — Discard an Energy from your opponent’s Active Pokémon. Heavy Rock Artillery 210 — During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t use Heavy Rock Artillery.
	96/189	Diggersby
	Card text Hammer In 90 Land Crush 140
	97/189	Passimian
	Card text Call for Family — Search your deck for up to 2 Basic Pokémon and put them onto your Bench. Then, shuffle your deck. Rock Hurl 70 — This attack’s damage isn’t affected by Resistance.
	98/189	Galarian Sirfetch’d
	Card text Pierce 40 Meteor Assault 180 — This Pokémon can’t use Meteor Assault again until it leaves the Active Spot.
	99/189	Galarian Slowbro V
	Card text Ability — Rapid-Fire Poison: Once during your turn, if this Pokémon is in the Active Spot, you may make your opponent’s Active Pokémon Poisoned. Tripping Shot 130 — During your opponent’s next turn, the Defending Pokémon can’t retreat.
	100/189	Grimer
	Card text Stomp Off — Discard the top card of your opponent’s deck. Sludge Whirlpool 50
	101/189	Muk
	Card text Triple Poison — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Poisoned. During Pokémon Checkup, put 3 damage counters on that Pokémon instead of 1. Sludge Whirlpool 120
	102/189	Spinarak
	Card text Hang Down 10 Sting 20
	103/189	Ariados
	Card text Ability — Spider Net: When you play this Pokémon from your hand to evolve 1 of your Pokémon during your turn, you may switch 1 of your opponent’s Benched Evolution Pokémon with their Active Pokémon. Poison Sting 30 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Poisoned.
	104/189	Crobat V
	Card text Ability — Dark Asset: When you play this Pokémon from your hand onto your Bench during your turn, you may draw cards until you have 6 cards in your hand. You can’t use more than 1 Dark Asset Ability each turn. Venomous Fang 70 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Poisoned.
	105/189	Darkrai
	Card text Ability — Darkness Guard: If this Pokémon has any Darkness Energy attached, it takes 20 less damage from attacks (after applying Weakness and Resistance). Vortex of Darkness 60+ — This attack does 20 more damage for each Darkness Energy attached to this Pokémon.
	106/189	Purrloin
	Card text Dig Claws 10 Fake Out 20 — Flip a coin. If heads, your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
	107/189	Liepard
	Card text Ability — Limber: This Pokémon can’t be Paralyzed. Slashing Claw 90
	108/189	Deino
	Card text Ram 10
	109/189	Zweilous
	Card text Corkscrew Punch 30 Darkness Fang 70
	110/189	Hydreigon
	Card text Ability — Dark Squall: As often as you like during your turn, you may attach a Darkness Energy card from your hand to 1 of your Pokémon. Pitch-Black Fangs 130
	111/189	Hoopa
	Card text Assault Gate 90 — If this Pokémon didn’t move from the Bench to the Active Spot this turn, this attack does nothing. This attack’s damage isn’t affected by Weakness.
	112/189	Nickit
	Card text Tail Whip — Flip a coin. If heads, during your opponent’s next turn, the Defending Pokémon can’t attack.
	113/189	Thievul
	Card text Nasty Plot — Search your deck for up to 2 cards and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck. Sharp Fang 70
	114/189	Grimmsnarl V
	Card text Bite 40 Spiky Knuckle 200 — Put 2 Darkness Energy attached to this Pokémon into your hand.
	115/189	Grimmsnarl VMAX
	Card text G-Max Drill 170+ — This attack does 50 more damage for each extra Darkness Energy attached to this Pokémon (in addition to this attack’s cost). You can’t add more than 100 damage in this way.
	116/189	Eternatus V
	Card text Power Accelerator 30 — You may attach a Darkness Energy card from your hand to 1 of your Benched Pokémon. Dynamax Cannon 120+ — If your opponent’s Active Pokémon is a Pokémon VMAX, this attack does 120 more damage.
	117/189	Eternatus VMAX
	Card text Ability — Eternal Zone: If all of your Pokémon in play are Darkness type, you can have up to 8 Pokémon on your Bench, and you can’t put non-Darkness Pokémon into play. (If this Ability stops working, discard Pokémon from your Bench until you have 5.) Dread End 30× — This attack does 30 damage for each of your Darkness Pokémon in play.
	118/189	Scizor V
	Card text Hack Off 30 — Discard a Pokémon Tool and a Special Energy from your opponent’s Active Pokémon. Slashing Claw 140
	119/189	Scizor VMAX
	Card text Hard Scissors 90 — During your opponent’s next turn, this Pokémon takes 30 less damage from attacks (after applying Weakness and Resistance). Max Steelspike 190
	120/189	Skarmory
	Card text Metal Arms 10+ — If this Pokémon has a Pokémon Tool attached, this attack does 40 more damage. Cutting Wind 80
	121/189	Aron
	Card text Ram 10 Headbutt 20
	122/189	Lairon
	Card text Knock Away 30+ — Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 30 more damage. Lunge Out 50
	123/189	Aggron
	Card text Ability — Sturdy: If this Pokémon has full HP and would be Knocked Out by damage from an attack, it is not Knocked Out, and its remaining HP becomes 10. Gigaton Stomp 160
	124/189	Escavalier
	Card text Fury Cutter 10+ — Flip 3 coins. If 1 of them is heads, this attack does 20 more damage. If 2 of them are heads, this attack does 70 more damage. If all of them are heads, this attack does 140 more damage. Seashell Attack 60
	125/189	Klink
	Card text Call for Backup — Search your deck for a Metal Pokémon, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
	126/189	Klang
	Card text Call for Backup — Search your deck for a Metal Pokémon, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck. Spinning Attack 60
	127/189	Klinklang
	Card text Beam 60 Clockwork 200 — If you don’t have Klink and Klang on your Bench, this attack does nothing.
	128/189	Galarian Stunfisk V
	Card text Ability — Metal Skin: This Pokémon gets +20 HP for each Metal Energy attached to it. Trapping Bite 60 — During your opponent’s next turn, if this Pokémon is damaged by an attack (even if it is Knocked Out), put 12 damage counters on the Attacking Pokémon.
	129/189	Meltan
	Card text Headbutt 10 Beam 20
	130/189	Melmetal
	Card text Energy Link 30 — Attach an Energy card from your discard pile to this Pokémon. Heavy Impact 130
	131/189	Cufant
	Card text Strength 60
	132/189	Copperajah
	Card text Ability — Antibacterial Skin: This Pokémon can’t be affected by any Special Conditions. Vengeful Stomp 120+ — If your Benched Pokémon have any damage counters on them, this attack does 120 more damage.
	133/189	Kangaskhan
	Card text Rally Back 30+ — If any of your Pokémon were Knocked Out by damage from an attack from your opponent’s Pokémon during their last turn, this attack does 90 more damage. Hammer In 100
	134/189	Tauros
	Card text Horn Attack 60
	135/189	Sentret
	Card text Call for Family — Search your deck for a Basic Pokémon and put it onto your Bench. Then, shuffle your deck.
	136/189	Furret
	Card text Feelin’ Fine — Draw 3 cards. Tail Smash 90 — Flip a coin. If tails, this attack does nothing.
	137/189	Dunsparce
	Card text Ability — Final Dig: If this Pokémon is Knocked Out by damage from an attack from your opponent’s Pokémon, discard the top 2 cards of your opponent’s deck. Ram 20
	138/189	Teddiursa
	Card text Baby-Doll Eyes — During your opponent’s next turn, the Defending Pokémon can’t retreat. Dig Claws 20
	139/189	Ursaring
	Card text Hammer Arm 70 — Discard the top card of your opponent’s deck. Claw Slash 120
	140/189	Lugia
	Card text Gust 30 Energy Loop 120 — Put an Energy attached to this Pokémon into your hand.
	141/189	Skitty
	Card text Drawup Power — Search your deck for an Energy card, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck. Cat Kick 20
	142/189	Delcatty
	Card text Captivating Tail — Switch 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon with their Active Pokémon. The new Active Pokémon is now Confused. Moon Impact 90
	143/189	Salamence V
	Card text Swoop Across — This attack does 30 damage to each of your opponent’s Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.) Heavy Storm 160
	144/189	Salamence VMAX
	Card text Sonic Double — This attack does 40 damage to 2 of your opponent’s Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.) Max Wings 240 — During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t use Max Wings.
	145/189	Starly
	Card text Ability — Sky Circus: If you played Bird Keeper from your hand during this turn, ignore all Energy in this Pokémon’s attack costs. Keen Eye — Search your deck for up to 2 cards and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
	146/189	Staravia
	Card text Ambush 20+ — Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 20 more damage. Wing Attack 40
	147/189	Staraptor
	Card text Hurricane Blender 70 — Move any amount of Energy from your Pokémon to your other Pokémon in any way you like. Brave Bird 170 — This Pokémon also does 30 damage to itself.
	148/189	Ducklett
	Card text Flap 20
	149/189	Swanna
	Card text Ability — Sky Circus: If you played Bird Keeper from your hand during this turn, ignore all Energy in this Pokémon’s attack costs. Feather Slice 70+ — You may discard a card from your hand. If you do, this attack does 70 more damage.
	150/189	Bunnelby
	Card text Mad Party 20× — This attack does 20 damage for each Pokémon in your discard pile that has the Mad Party attack.
	151/189	Fletchling
	Card text Tackle 20
	152/189	Skwovet
	Card text Whimsy Tackle 40 — Flip a coin. If tails, this attack does nothing.
	153/189	Greedent
	Card text Scrape Off 20 — Before doing damage, discard all Pokémon Tools from your opponent’s Active Pokémon. Smack and Run 100 — Put this Pokémon and all attached cards into your hand.
	154/189	Rookidee
	Card text Pluck 10 — Before doing damage, discard all Pokémon Tools from your opponent’s Active Pokémon.
	155/189	Corvisquire
	Card text Peck 30 Fury Attack 40× — Flip 3 coins. This attack does 40 damage for each heads.
	156/189	Corviknight
	Card text Ability — Flying Taxi: When you play this Pokémon from your hand to evolve 1 of your Pokémon during your turn, you may put 1 of your Pokémon, except any Corviknight, and all attached cards into your hand. Blasting Wind 120
	157/189	Big Parasol		T
	Card text As long as the Pokémon this card is attached to is in the Active Spot, prevent all effects of attacks from your opponent’s Pokémon done to all of your Pokémon. (Existing effects are not removed. Damage is not an effect.)
	158/189	Billowing Smoke		T
	Card text If the Pokémon this card is attached to is Knocked Out by damage from an attack from your opponent’s Pokémon, that player discards any Prize cards they would take for that Knock Out instead of putting those cards into their hand.
	159/189	Bird Keeper		T
	Card text Switch your Active Pokémon with 1 of your Benched Pokémon. If you do, draw 3 cards.
	160/189	Cape of Toughness		T
	Card text The Basic Pokémon this card is attached to gets +50 HP, except Pokémon-GX.
	161/189	Familiar Bell		T
	Card text Search your deck for a Pokémon with the same name as a Pokémon in your discard pile, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
	162/189	Glimwood Tangle		T
	Card text Once during each player’s turn, after that player flips any coins for an attack, they may ignore all results of those coin flips and begin flipping those coins again.
	163/189	Kabu		T
	Card text Shuffle your hand into your deck. Then, draw 4 cards. If your Active Pokémon is your only Pokémon in play, draw 8 cards instead.
	164/189	Old PC		T
	Card text Flip 2 coins. If both are heads, put a card from your discard pile into your hand.
	165/189	Piers		T
	Card text Search your deck for an Energy card and a Darkness Pokémon, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
	166/189	Pokémon Breeder’s Nurturing		T
	Card text Choose up to 2 of your Pokémon in play. For each of those Pokémon, search your deck for a card that evolves from that Pokémon and put it onto that Pokémon to evolve it. Then, shuffle your deck. You can’t use this card during your first turn or on a Pokémon that was put into play this turn.
	167/189	Rare Fossil		T
	Card text Play this card as if it were a 70-HP Basic Colorless Pokémon. At any time during your turn, you may discard this card from play. This card can’t be affected by any Special Conditions, and it can’t retreat.
	168/189	Rose		T
	Card text Attach up to 2 basic Energy cards from your discard pile to 1 of your Pokémon VMAX. If you attached any Energy cards in this way, discard your hand.
	169/189	Rose Tower		T
	Card text Once during each player’s turn, that player may draw cards until they have 3 cards in their hand.
	170/189	Spikemuth		T
	Card text Whenever a player’s Active Pokémon moves to the Bench during their turn, put 2 damage counters on that Pokémon.
	171/189	Struggle Gloves		T
	Card text If the Pokémon this card is attached to has Weakness to your opponent’s Active Pokémon’s type, its attacks do 30 more damage to your opponent’s Active Pokémon (before applying Weakness and Resistance).
	172/189	Turbo Patch		T
	Card text Flip a coin. If heads, attach a basic Energy card from your discard pile to 1 of your Basic Pokémon that isn’t a Pokémon-GX.
	173/189	Yell Horn		T
	Card text Both Active Pokémon are now Confused.
	174/189	Heat Fire Energy		E
	Card text As long as this card is attached to a Pokémon, it provides Fire Energy. The Fire Pokémon this card is attached to gets +20 HP.
	175/189	Hiding Darkness Energy		E
	Card text As long as this card is attached to a Pokémon, it provides Darkness Energy. The Darkness Pokémon this card is attached to has no Retreat Cost.
	176/189	Powerful Colorless Energy		E
	Card text As long as this card is attached to a Pokémon, it provides Colorless Energy. The attacks of the Colorless Pokémon this card is attached to do 20 more damage to your opponent’s Active Pokémon (before applying Weakness and Resistance).
	177/189	Butterfree V
	Card text Dizzying Poison — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Confused and Poisoned. Blasting Wind 130
	178/189	Houndoom V
	Card text Searing Flame 20 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Burned. Vengeful Flame 100+ — If your Benched Fire Pokémon have any damage counters on them, this attack does 100 more damage.
	179/189	Centiskorch V
	Card text Radiating Heat 20 — You may discard an Energy from this Pokémon. If you do, discard an Energy from your opponent’s Active Pokémon. Burning Train 180
	180/189	Vikavolt V
	Card text Paralyzing Bolt 50 — During your opponent’s next turn, they can’t play any Item cards from their hand. Super Zap Cannon 190 — Discard 2 Energy from this Pokémon.
	181/189	Rhyperior V
	Card text Drill Run 80 — Discard an Energy from your opponent’s Active Pokémon. Heavy Rock Artillery 210 — During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t use Heavy Rock Artillery.
	182/189	Crobat V
	Card text Ability — Dark Asset: When you play this Pokémon from your hand onto your Bench during your turn, you may draw cards until you have 6 cards in your hand. You can’t use more than 1 Dark Asset Ability each turn. Venomous Fang 70 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Poisoned.
	183/189	Scizor V
	Card text Hack Off 30 — Discard a Pokémon Tool and a Special Energy from your opponent’s Active Pokémon. Slashing Claw 140
	184/189	Galarian Stunfisk V
	Card text Ability — Metal Skin: This Pokémon gets +20 HP for each Metal Energy attached to it. Trapping Bite 60 — During your opponent’s next turn, if this Pokémon is damaged by an attack (even if it is Knocked Out), put 12 damage counters on the Attacking Pokémon.
	185/189	Salamence V
	Card text Swoop Across — This attack does 30 damage to each of your opponent’s Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.) Heavy Storm 160
	186/189	Kabu		T
	Card text Shuffle your hand into your deck. Then, draw 4 cards. If your Active Pokémon is your only Pokémon in play, draw 8 cards instead.
	187/189	Piers		T
	Card text Search your deck for an Energy card and a Darkness Pokémon, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
	188/189	Pokémon Breeder’s Nurturing		T
	Card text Choose up to 2 of your Pokémon in play. For each of those Pokémon, search your deck for a card that evolves from that Pokémon and put it onto that Pokémon to evolve it. Then, shuffle your deck. You can’t use this card during your first turn or on a Pokémon that was put into play this turn.
	189/189	Rose		T
	Card text Attach up to 2 basic Energy cards from your discard pile to 1 of your Pokémon VMAX. If you attached any Energy cards in this way, discard your hand.
	190/189	Butterfree VMAX
	Card text G-Max Toxbreeze 150 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Confused and Poisoned.
	191/189	Centiskorch VMAX
	Card text G-Max Centiferno 40+ — This attack does 40 more damage for each Fire Energy attached to this Pokémon. If you did any damage with this attack, you may attach a Fire Energy card from your discard pile to this Pokémon.
	192/189	Eternatus VMAX
	Card text Ability — Eternal Zone: If all of your Pokémon in play are Darkness type, you can have up to 8 Pokémon on your Bench, and you can’t put non-Darkness Pokémon into play. (If this Ability stops working, discard Pokémon from your Bench until you have 5.) Dread End 30× — This attack does 30 damage for each of your Darkness Pokémon in play.
	193/189	Scizor VMAX
	Card text Hard Scissors 90 — During your opponent’s next turn, this Pokémon takes 30 less damage from attacks (after applying Weakness and Resistance). Max Steelspike 190
	194/189	Salamence VMAX
	Card text Sonic Double — This attack does 40 damage to 2 of your opponent’s Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.) Max Wings 240 — During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t use Max Wings.
	195/189	Pokémon Breeder’s Nurturing		T
	Card text Choose up to 2 of your Pokémon in play. For each of those Pokémon, search your deck for a card that evolves from that Pokémon and put it onto that Pokémon to evolve it. Then, shuffle your deck. You can’t use this card during your first turn or on a Pokémon that was put into play this turn.
	196/189	Rose		T
	Card text Attach up to 2 basic Energy cards from your discard pile to 1 of your Pokémon VMAX. If you attached any Energy cards in this way, discard your hand.
	197/189	Rillaboom
	Card text Ability — Voltage Beat: Once during your turn, you may search your deck for up to 2 Grass Energy cards and attach them to 1 of your Pokémon. Then, shuffle your deck. Hammer In 140
	198/189	Coalossal
	Card text Ability — Tar Generator: Once during your turn, you may attach a Fire Energy card, a Fighting Energy card, or 1 of each from your discard pile to your Pokémon in any way you like. Flaming Avalanche 130
	199/189	Big Parasol		T
	Card text As long as the Pokémon this card is attached to is in the Active Spot, prevent all effects of attacks from your opponent’s Pokémon done to all of your Pokémon. (Existing effects are not removed. Damage is not an effect.)
	200/189	Turbo Patch		T
	Card text Flip a coin. If heads, attach a basic Energy card from your discard pile to 1 of your Basic Pokémon that isn’t a Pokémon-GX.
	201/189	Capture Energy		E
	Card text As long as this card is attached to a Pokémon, it provides Colorless Energy. When you attach this card from your hand to a Pokémon, search your deck for a Basic Pokémon and put it onto your Bench. Then, shuffle your deck.

For Collectors: Most Valuable Cards

One card towers over the rest of Darkness Ablaze — the regular Charizard VMAX, one of the most sought-after cards of the modern era. The rainbow-rare VMAX secrets round out the chase list.

Charizard VMAX — #20/189

The headline card of the set and one of the most valuable modern Pokémon cards, full stop. Unusually, no rainbow-rare version was printed — the standard Charizard VMAX is the chase, and demand has kept it sky-high ever since release.

Charizard V — #19/189

The V that evolves into the famous VMAX. A gorgeous card in its own right, Charizard V rides the coat-tails of its evolution as one of the set’s most desirable pulls.

Eternatus VMAX (rainbow secret rare) — #192/189

The hyper-rare rainbow version of the box Legendary. Eternatus VMAX anchored the era’s dominant Darkness deck, and its rainbow secret is a top collector target.

Salamence VMAX (rainbow secret rare) — #194/189

A stunning rainbow rare of the Dragon powerhouse — one of the set’s most eye-catching secret cards.

Butterfree VMAX (rainbow secret rare) — #190/189

The rainbow-rare Butterfree VMAX is a fan favourite for its vivid illustration, completing the set’s run of hyper-rare VMAX chase cards.

Most Powerful Cards (Competitive Play)

Darkness Ablaze reshaped Standard — it delivered the era’s defining Darkness attacker, its universal draw engine, and an acceleration Supporter so strong it was eventually banned.

Eternatus VMAX — #117/189

The centrepiece of the dominant Darkness deck. Its Dread End attack does 30 damage for each of your Benched Darkness Pokémon, and its Eternal Zone Ability lets you bench up to eight of them — a devastating, consistent engine that ruled the format.

Crobat V — #104/189

A universal draw engine. Its Dark Asset Ability draws cards until you have six in hand the moment it hits the Bench, making Crobat V an auto-include in nearly every deck of the era.

Rose — #168/189

Energy acceleration so powerful it was later banned from Standard. Rose let you power up a huge VMAX attacker on turn one — warping the early game around it until it was removed from competitive play.

Charizard VMAX — #20/189

Beyond its collector value, Charizard VMAX is a genuine attacker — G-Max Wildfire hits for 300 and thins your deck, powering aggressive Fire decks across the era.

Trivia & Pop Culture

• The Charizard set. Darkness Ablaze is defined by its Charizard VMAX (#20) — one of the most famous and valuable modern Pokémon cards, and the card most collectors chase from the whole Sword & Shield era.
• Eternatus arrives. The Galar box Legendary Eternatus debuts as a Pokémon V and VMAX. Eternatus VMAX went on to anchor the dominant Darkness deck of its season.
• Rose was banned. The Supporter Rose (#168) accelerated Energy so aggressively that it was later banned from Standard play — a rare move that speaks to how format-warping the card was.
• Crobat V, everywhere. Crobat V’s draw Ability made it a near-universal include, one of the defining consistency cards of the era.
• Galarian forms. The set is full of Galarian variants, including Galarian Slowbro V, Galarian Stunfisk V, Galarian Darmanitan, Galarian Mr. Rime and Galarian Sirfetch’d.
• Multiple Japanese sources. Darkness Ablaze isn’t a single Japanese set — it blends Infinity Zone, the Explosive Walker subset and the Charizard & Grimmsnarl VMAX Starter Sets into one release.
• 12 secret rares. Numbers 190—201 add rainbow-rare VMAX (Butterfree, Centiskorch, Eternatus, Scizor, Salamence), full-art Supporters and gold Trainers and Energy.

Images & Videos

A gallery of Darkness Ablaze artwork — the four booster packs, the Japanese Infinity Zone and Explosive Walker packs, the Elite Trainer Box, both theme decks and the Build & Battle box — plus official key art and community videos opening the set.