The Pokemon TCG is a quickly-evolving card game that always has something new and exciting in store for Pokemon fans everywhere. There are new powerhouse cards that emerge every so often, like the exceptional EX and greatly-used GX cards that dominated much of the game until even more mighty card variants, such as V and VMAX, entered the fray.
However, over the years, there are a few Pokemon that have remained immensely popular with fans. These easily-recognized pocket monsters tend to get more cards made in their depiction, and one, in particular, stands out as arguably the most admired: Charizard.
There are dozens of different Charizard cards that have been released through the many expansion packs and sets across the franchise's history, though, the 5 most recent stand out as being both very cool as well as guilty of the inevitable power-creep occurring in this card game.
Charizard-GX (SM Promo #195)
This 'Zard card was released in the SM Black Star Promos during the Gen VII era of the games with Pokemon Sun & Moon. This was also around the same time as the release of the film Detective Pikachu, which explains the unique card art.
This beast of a Fire-type card has an excellent start-up move as well as devastating ones to follow it up with. Raging Destruction lets them search (as well as discard) a huge 8 cards from the top of the trainer's deck and attaching any Fire Energy that one finds. On the next turn, those seeking to scorch their foes to ash can use 1 of 2 powerful attacks, the more mighty of these being a GX move that can rid the enemy's team of precious energy cards.
Reshiram & Charizard-GX (Unbroken Bonds #20)
As the Tag Team GX card with arguably the coolest and most impressive card art, the Reshiram & Charizard card from the Unbroken Bonds expansion is appropriately powerful.
It is also a basic card; one can play it without the need for any evolving or other 'summoning' requirements. Most trainers will use the Flare Strike move on the first turn to possibly one-shot the opposing active pokemon. When the duo gets low on HP, they can use Outrage to potentially deal more damage than Flare Strike if they have lost enough health points.
Charizard & Braixen-GX (Cosmic Eclipse #22)
Here is another Tag Team GX card, though one that features two pokemon from Fire-type starter evolution lines. This card from the Cosmic Eclipse set has a powerful regular move that includes a handy secondary effect.
When one uses Brilliant Flare, not only is 180 damage unleashed, but the trainer may also search for any 3 cards in their deck to add to their hand. With such a powerful move, most won't bother to even use the GX attack.
Charizard V (Darkness Ablaze #19)
This Charizard V card was released around the same time that the Sword & Shield games were, being part of the Darkness Ablaze expansion, and is debatably the strongest basic Charizard card variant in existence.
Claw Slash is a decent 80-damage move that can be used after attaching 3 of any kind of energy, making this an awesome card for dual-type decks. It also has the classic Fire Spin attack seen on many 'zards, though this one's damage is an incredible 220 as opposed to the usual 120.
Charizard VMAX (Darkness Ablaze #20)
Also in the Darkness Ablaze expansion is the burning colossus known as Charizard VMAX. With a gargantuan 330 HP, it can not only tank a ton of hits but can also unleash great devastation of its own.
It retains Claw Slash from its Charizard V form, though now with an added 20 damage. Fire Spin, however, gets upgraded to the immensely deadly G-Max Wildfire, which is the king of powerhouse fire attacks, for it delivers 300 damage onto the opposing pokemon. This is capable of even taking out other VMAX cards in a single turn.