Charizard SM158
Quick take
- Distributed at Team Up prerelease events in early 2019, not pulled from packs
- Illustrated by Anesaki Dynamic, a full-body fire pose
- A separate Staff stamped variant is far scarcer and sells for a large premium
- Value is Charizard-name and collector driven, not competitive
Collector's readWhat it means for your master set
Set landscapeWhere this card sits in SM Promos
VariantsCard variants
Holofoil SM158 · $625.00 — the only variant this card was printed in (no reverse holo or special pattern), so a master set needs just this one copy.
The storyThe 2019 Team Up prerelease Charizard, by Anesaki Dynamic
SM158 was handed out at Team Up prerelease events in early 2019. Show up, play, walk out with a holo Charizard. That distribution is the whole story here. It is not a chase rarity in the booster-pull sense, but it is a Charizard, and Charizard promos tied to a specific moment tend to hold collector attention long after the set rotates out.
“Distributed at Team Up prerelease events in early 2019, not pulled from packs”
The art credit is Anesaki Dynamic, the name behind a run of bold full-body Pokemon promos through the Sun & Moon years. This one shows Charizard expelling fire with its wings spread, a straightforward power shot that reads well at a glance and photographs cleanly for listings. No alt-art trickery, just a classic Charizard pose on promo holo stock.
There are two versions worth knowing. The standard prerelease copy is the common one. The Staff stamp, given to event staff, is far scarcer and commands a large premium. If you are building a master set or a Charizard run, decide up front which one you are chasing, because the gap between them is wide.
By the numbersMarket analysis
This sits in the mid-tier for promo Charizards. It is a player handout rather than a pack pull, so supply is reasonable and the standard copy stays accessible. The name on the card does the heavy lifting on demand.
Stable, with the usual Charizard floor underneath it. Promo Charizards rarely fall hard because there is always a buyer. The Staff version trades on its own much higher track and moves with vintage-promo collector interest rather than the standard copy.
Steady hold rather than a breakout. The standard SM158 is a solid set-filler and a safe Charizard entry point. The real upside lives in the Staff stamp, which is genuinely scarce and the version serious Charizard collectors hunt.
High grades carry a meaningful premium, since promos handed out at events often pick up edge and surface wear. A clean gem copy separates from raw stock, and grading matters more on the Staff version where the dollar stakes are higher.
You will not find this in booster packs, so pack pull rates do not apply. It came from attending a Team Up prerelease event in early 2019, with prerelease participation promos handed out one per player. The standard version is reasonably available on the secondary market today. The Staff stamp is the scarce one, given only to event staff, and it shows up far less often.
Compared to a pack-pulled Secret or Hyper Rare Charizard, the standard SM158 is more available and more affordable. The Staff variant flips that, sitting closer to a true scarce collectible.
ArtworkWhy the art matters
Anesaki Dynamic is the illustration credit behind a number of bold, full-figure Pokemon promos across the Sun & Moon era. The style leans into clear, high-energy action poses over scenic backgrounds, which suits a promo meant to grab attention fast.
Charizard mid-roar, expelling a blast of fire, wings open. It is a power pose, front and center, with the dragon filling the frame.
Standard promo holofoil stock with the black star promo treatment and the SM158 number. The Staff variant adds a stamped Staff marking; otherwise the two share the same art and layout.
It is a no-frills, instantly readable Charizard. There is no alt-art gimmick to decode, and that simplicity is part of why it works as a display piece and a clean entry in a Charizard run.
BackgroundAbout Charizard SM158
Charizard has been the face of the franchise since the Base Set, and it is the most collected Pokemon in the TCG by a wide margin. Almost any era produces a Charizard card that people want, and the Sun & Moon years were no exception.
- ›The most recognizable Pokemon in the game, full stop
- ›Fire-type final evolution with mascot status from Gen 1
- ›Charizard cards from every era find buyers regardless of rarity
- ›Promo and event versions carry nostalgia for the moment they were handed out
- ›Base Set Charizard, the card that defined Pokemon collecting
- ›Hidden Fates Shiny Charizard GX, a modern chase staple
- ›A long line of Sun & Moon era GX and promo Charizards
This Charizard saw casual and league play during the Sun & Moon period thanks to its Roaring Resolve ability, which accelerates Fire Energy onto it, but it was never a top competitive staple. Today its value is collector-driven, not tournament-driven.
Own it wellCollector guide
Event promos get handled. Check corners and edges for the soft wear that comes from being passed around a prerelease table, and inspect the holo surface for scratches. Centering varies on promo print runs.
Grade the standard copy only if it presents as a clean gem candidate, since raw copies are easy to find. For the Staff version, grading is worth it given the value at stake and the authentication confidence it provides. Read the grading guide →
Penny sleeve plus a top loader for a raw copy, or a one-touch for anything you plan to keep long term. Keep it out of direct light to protect the holo and the tail-flame reds. See the storage guide →
Confirm which version you are buying. Standard prerelease and Staff stamp look nearly identical at a glance but trade at very different prices, so read the listing photos and look for the Staff stamp before you pay a Staff price. See the singles buying guide →
Match the SM158 number and the black star promo layout, and check the holo pattern behaves like genuine promo foil. On the Staff version, confirm the stamp looks pressed into the print rather than added after. When paying a Staff premium, buy graded or buy from a seller who shows clear close-ups.
Protect your card
High Chase Score — protect and consider grading. · Amazon affiliate links · Storage guideWord on the streetCommunity sentiment
Collectors treat the standard SM158 as a solid, affordable Charizard with a nice origin as a prerelease handout. It is well liked as a set-filler and a starter Charizard, without the hype of an alt-art chase.
Most chatter centers on the gap between the standard and Staff versions, with buyers reminding each other to check for the Staff stamp before paying up. The Staff copy gets the attention among dedicated Charizard collectors.
Good to knowFrequently asked questions
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