Blaziken 024/189 Holo Rare Darkness Ablaze – A Fiery Addition to Any Pokémon TCG Collection
If you love Fire-type powerhouses, the Blaziken 024/189 Holo Rare from Sword & Shield – Darkness Ablaze is a card that deserves your attention. This specific listing appears to offer the card in Near Mint (NM) condition as an ungraded single, making it an accessible yet exciting pick for collectors, anime fans, and Pokémon TCG players alike.
To help you decide if this holo Blaziken belongs in your binder or your next deck, let’s break down its card details, anime connections, collector value, and gameplay potential.
| Card Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Pokémon | Blaziken |
| Set | Sword & Shield – Darkness Ablaze |
| Card Number | 024/189 |
| Rarity | Holo Rare |
| Type | Fire (with Fighting via Ability) |
| Year | 2020 (Darkness Ablaze release) |
| Condition (listing) | Appears to be Near Mint (NM), ungraded |
The listing price is shown as $2.99 USD at the time of writing, which positions this Blaziken as a budget-friendly holo rare for players and collectors who still want something visually striking.
Blaziken in the Pokémon World: From Anime Icon to TCG Threat
Blaziken isn’t just any Fire-type starter evolution. First introduced in Generation III as the final form of Torchic, it quickly became a fan favorite thanks to its blend of martial arts flair and blazing power. In the anime, Blaziken has had multiple memorable appearances, often portrayed as a fast, hard-hitting battler that thrives in intense, close-quarters combat.
One of the most famous storylines involving Blaziken is its rivalry with Sceptile and other strong opponents in contests and battles, where its Blaze ability and fiery kicks are highlighted. Over time, Blaziken even gained a Mega Evolution in the video games, cementing it as one of the most recognizable Fire-type powerhouses.
The Darkness Ablaze Blaziken card draws on this image: a powerful, agile fighter that hits hard and keeps your momentum going. While the artwork details come from The Pokémon Company’s official design, the holo pattern and dynamic pose help the card feel like it has leapt straight out of a high-stakes anime battle.
For anime fans, picking up this card is a simple way to bring that same energy into a binder or display case—especially if you’re building a themed collection around Hoenn starters or Fire-type aces.
Card Text & Mechanics: What Blaziken 024/189 Actually Does
According to the official Pokémon TCG database, Blaziken (Darkness Ablaze 24) has two main pieces of game text that matter for competitive play:
Ability: Double Type
Blaziken’s Ability is called Double Type. As long as this Pokémon is in play, it is treated as both Fire and Fighting type. That dual typing opens up interesting synergies:
- You can hit Fire-weak targets while also benefiting from type-specific support that cares about Fighting Pokémon.
- Against certain meta decks from the Sword & Shield era, being both types gave you more flexibility in matchups that hinged on Weakness and Resistance.
While the modern standard format has shifted since Darkness Ablaze, the design still makes this Blaziken an appealing choice for casual or expanded play, where creative deck building is encouraged.
Attack: Turbo Drive
Blaziken’s main attack, as listed on Pokémon.com and Serebii, is Turbo Drive. Its key points are:
- Energy Cost: Fire + Colorless (2 Energy total)
- Damage: 130
- Effect: Attach a basic Energy card from your discard pile to 1 of your Benched Pokémon.
This combination of solid damage and Energy acceleration makes Blaziken a mid-game engine: it can knock out weaker Pokémon while powering up a backup attacker on your Bench. In formats where attaching from the discard is strong (and it usually is), Turbo Drive helps you recover from early aggression or misplays.
Why Darkness Ablaze Blaziken Appeals to Collectors
From a collector’s standpoint, Blaziken 024/189 checks several important boxes:
- It’s a Holo Rare from a mainline Sword & Shield set (Darkness Ablaze), not a theme deck exclusive or promo.
- It features a popular fully evolved starter, which historically maintains steady casual demand.
- Darkness Ablaze itself is known for chase cards like Charizard VMAX, which keeps sealed product and set singles relevant.
Price-tracking sites show that this Blaziken usually sits in the low single-digit dollar range in Near Mint condition, with some variation depending on supply and demand. The $2.99 price mentioned in the listing is understandable for a NM holo rare starter evolution from a Sword & Shield-era set.
For budget-conscious collectors who still want holo cards of iconic Pokémon, this is a sweet spot: accessible, but not bulk-tier common. It’s a good way to upgrade a basic binder page into something that feels more premium without spending heavily on graded cards or ultra rares.
Near Mint Condition: What You Can Typically Expect
The product title describes this Blaziken as NM (Near Mint). While every seller may have slightly different grading standards, Near Mint in the Pokémon TCG hobby usually means:
- Only very minor whitening or edge wear, if any, visible on close inspection.
- No major creases, bends, or dents.
- Front holo surface largely clean, with only tiny print lines or specks at most.
Because this is an ungraded card, the exact condition can only be confirmed by examining the photos in the listing. If you’re building a binder of near mint Pokémon cards from the Sword & Shield era, a NM Blaziken holo from Darkness Ablaze fits nicely alongside other holo rares and V cards.
Long-Term Collecting Outlook
It’s unlikely that Blaziken 024/189 will suddenly skyrocket in price the way some older chase cards have. However, it does have several traits that support stable, long-term casual value:
- Popular starter evolution from a well-loved generation.
- Solid artwork and holo pattern from a main expansion.
- Playable text, which can keep interest alive among TCG players building fun decks.
For most collectors, that means it’s a good “keep in the binder” card, especially if you’re completing Darkness Ablaze or a Blaziken-focused collection across multiple sets.
Deck Strategy: How to Use Blaziken Darkness Ablaze in the Pokémon TCG
In the Sword & Shield-era metagame, Stage 2 Pokémon like Blaziken had to work hard to justify their deck slots, but this card still carved out a niche as what many reviewers called a “rogue” option—not top-tier, but capable of taking games with the right support.
Core Game Plan
If you’re building a deck around Blaziken 024/189 (especially for casual play), your plan usually revolves around three ideas:
- Get Blaziken into play efficiently. Use Rare Candy and consistent search options to evolve quickly from Torchic to Combusken to Blaziken, or skip straight with Rare Candy when possible.
- Use Turbo Drive as early as possible. The 130 damage is respectable for a non-Rule Box Pokémon, and the Energy acceleration from discard to Bench helps you set up a secondary attacker.
- Leverage Double Type. Being Fire and Fighting lets you hit weaknesses more flexibly and interact with different support cards that target either type.
In post-rotation decklists from the Darkness Ablaze era, players sometimes paired Blaziken with strong Fire support like Welder (in older formats) or other Fire accelerants, turning Turbo Drive into a backup plan rather than the only engine.
Synergy Ideas for Casual and Expanded Play
Even if you’re not playing in official tournaments, Blaziken can be the centerpiece of a fun, thematic deck. Here are some synergy ideas that fit with its abilities without relying on specific card lists:
- Fire Discard Engines: Pair Blaziken with cards that discard basic Fire Energy to fuel bigger attacks. Turbo Drive then recycles those Energies to your Bench, keeping you from running dry.
- Fighting-Type Support: Because of Double Type, Blaziken can benefit from cards that care about Fighting Pokémon, opening up unusual combos where your “Fire” attacker also counts as a Fighting type.
- Backup Attackers: Use Turbo Drive to power up a heavy hitter on the Bench—another Stage 2, a VMAX, or any Pokémon that needs multiple basic Energy attachments.
In more relaxed environments like local leagues or kitchen-table play, that combination of energy acceleration and dual typing lets Blaziken function as both a threat and a support piece, which feels very much in line with its anime persona as a clutch fighter.
Is Blaziken Darkness Ablaze Competitive?
Contemporary reviews at the time of release generally rated Blaziken as a fun but fringe-playable card. Stage 2 lines have to compete with faster, more efficient V and VMAX attackers, and while Turbo Drive is strong, it’s not quite enough to carry a top-tier list by itself.
That said, if your goal is to build a thematic Fire/Fighting deck rather than chase pure efficiency, Blaziken is a flavorful and mechanically interesting choice that rewards good sequencing and resource management.
Blaziken for Anime Fans: Building a Character-Focused Collection
One of the best ways to enjoy the Pokémon TCG without worrying about tournament metas is to build character collections around your favorite Pokémon from the anime. Blaziken is perfect for that approach.
Over the years, the anime has showcased Blaziken as:
- A fierce battler in both official League matches and contests.
- A symbol of a Trainer’s growth when Torchic evolves all the way up.
- A high-energy, close-combat striker that mixes Fire- and Fighting-style moves.
The Darkness Ablaze version captures these traits by giving Blaziken a strong attack and a dual-type Ability. It feels like a direct translation of its anime role into card form: explosive offense with enough utility to swing momentum in your favor.
If you already own other Blaziken cards—such as earlier EX-era or XY/SM-era printings—adding the 2020 Darkness Ablaze holo gives you a modern counterpart that pairs well with older favorites in a display.
Buying Tips: Getting the Most from Darkness Ablaze Blaziken
If you’re considering picking up this specific listing or another copy of Blaziken 024/189, here are some practical tips to keep in mind.
1. Check the Photos Carefully
Since this card is sold as ungraded, photos are your best guide to condition. Look for:
- Clean edges and corners, especially on the back.
- No visible creases, bends, or indents.
- Minimal scratching or print lines on the holo area.
If the images are clear and match your expectations for a Near Mint card, you’re likely in good shape, especially given the relatively low price point.
2. Consider Set Completion Goals
If you’re working on a full Darkness Ablaze set, Blaziken 024/189 is one of the holo rares you’ll need. Its moderate price and availability make it an attractive pickup when you’re filling in gaps with other Pokémon TCG singles from the same era.
Some collectors like to arrange Darkness Ablaze pages by type or evolution line, in which case Blaziken can anchor a fiery page alongside other Fire-type heavy hitters.
3. Think About Grading (Realistically)
Because this card is not a high-end chase, most buyers will be perfectly happy to keep it raw in a binder or toploaders. While you could submit it to a grading service if the condition appears pristine, the grading fees might not make financial sense unless you’re building a personal graded Blaziken or Darkness Ablaze showcase.
For most collectors, the best strategy is simple: sleeve it, enjoy it, and let it anchor your Fire-type or Hoenn-starter page without worrying too much about grade labels.
Who Should Buy Blaziken 024/189 Holo Rare?
This Darkness Ablaze Blaziken is a great fit if you fall into any of these groups:
- TCG players who want a fun, mid-power Stage 2 Fire/Fighting hybrid for casual decks.
- Collectors filling out Sword & Shield sets or building Fire-type binders.
- Anime fans who love Blaziken’s appearances on screen and want a physical card to represent that.
- New or returning players looking for affordable, visually appealing holo rares from the modern era.
Because the price is modest, it’s also an easy add-on when you’re already picking up other collectible Pokémon cards and want to round out your order with one more fan-favorite Pokémon.
FAQ: Blaziken 024/189 Darkness Ablaze Holo Rare
Is Blaziken 024/189 from Darkness Ablaze rare?
Blaziken 024/189 is a Holo Rare from the Sword & Shield – Darkness Ablaze set. It isn’t ultra rare or secret rare, but it’s a step above regular rares and commons. In practice, that means it’s more common than chase cards like Charizard VMAX, but still desirable and a little harder to pull than non-holo rares.
What year is the Darkness Ablaze Blaziken card from?
The Darkness Ablaze expansion was released in 2020, and Blaziken 024/189 is part of that set. So this specific holo Blaziken is a modern-era card from the Sword & Shield block.
Is this Blaziken card good for competitive play?
In its original Standard-era context, Blaziken was considered a fun, fringe-playable Stage 2 rather than a top-tier meta threat. Turbo Drive offers solid damage plus Energy acceleration, and Double Type provides unique Fire/Fighting interactions, but the Stage 2 requirement makes it slower than many competitive V or VMAX attackers. For casual or expanded play, though, it can still be a very enjoyable and surprisingly effective card.
Does the card show Blaziken’s abilities from the anime?
The card doesn’t reference anime-only moments directly, but its mechanics reflect Blaziken’s general role in the series. The Double Type Ability (Fire and Fighting) mirrors its dual fighting style, and Turbo Drive evokes the idea of Blaziken powering itself and allies through sheer momentum. If you’re a fan of its anime battles, this card is a nice thematic fit.
Is Near Mint ungraded Blaziken worth buying?
For most players and collectors, a Near Mint ungraded copy is the ideal combination of condition and affordability. At around the low single-digit price point, Blaziken 024/189 offers:
- A holo rare starter evolution from a popular set.
- Playable text for casual decks.
- Nice artwork for display or binders.
If those qualities matter to you, a NM ungraded Blaziken is an easy recommendation.
Can I build a deck around this Blaziken?
Yes, especially for casual play. You’ll want to include:
- A solid Torchic/Combusken evolution line.
- Trainer cards that help you search and evolve quickly (and possibly Rare Candy).
- Supporters and Items that put basic Energy in the discard so Turbo Drive can reattach them.
- At least one strong backup attacker on your Bench to receive the Energy from Turbo Drive.
It won’t be the fastest deck in the room, but it can be very satisfying to pilot.
How should I store the Blaziken Darkness Ablaze card?
To keep your Blaziken in Near Mint condition:
- Place it in a penny sleeve as soon as you receive it.
- Use a toploader or binder with side-loading pockets for extra protection.
- Store your cards in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent warping and fading.
With basic care, a 2020 Darkness Ablaze card like this should stay in excellent shape for years to come.
Whether you’re a longtime Blaziken fan, a Darkness Ablaze set collector, or a player looking for a fiery Stage 2 with a twist, Blaziken 024/189 Holo Rare offers a lot of value for its price. If the listing’s photos and condition match what you’re after, it’s a strong candidate for your next addition.
