Cinderace (Pokémon)
Striker (Pokémon Type) · Galar Region / Single Strike Affiliation
Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield — Fusion Strike #045/264
Year & Era
2021 — Modern Sword & Shield Era
Card Type
VMAX Ultra Rare
Grade
Raw — appears Excellent to Near Mint
Rarity
Ultra Rare (Triple Star); high print volume makes it common for its tier.
Overall Assessment
A standard, authentic Pokemon VMAX card in good condition; ideal for casual collectors or players, but not a high-yield investment piece.
Condition Grade
Raw — appears Excellent to Near Mint
Centering Assessment
Front centering appears slightly skewed toward the top-right; bottom border is thicker.
Surface Condition
Appears clean with standard matte/gloss finish; no major scratches or print lines visible in lighting.
Corner Condition
Top left corner shows minor whitening; bottom corners appear slightly soft, likely from handling.
Edge Condition
Minor silvering or chipping visible along the bottom edge; right edge shows slight roughness.
Print Quality
Standard 5ban Graphics production quality; color saturation and 'Single Strike' logo are Sharp.
Estimated Value
$1.50 - $4.00 (Raw); $15.00 - $25.00 (PSA 9/10)
Comparison to Known Examples
This copy is typical for a 'pack to binder' card; centering is slightly below the 60/40 threshold for a Gem Mint 10.
Authentication Tips
Check for the distinct 'smooth' texture; fake VMAX cards often lack the slight surface grain and feature a vertical holo sheen instead of diagonal.
Grading Recommendation
PSA or CGC; however, grading is not recommended as the cost of grading exceeds market value for this specific card.
Red Flags
Note: This is a Pokémon card, not a football card. It is often misidentified by automated systems due to the 'Striker' terminology.
Provenance Notes
Distributed via Fusion Strike booster packs, elite trainer boxes, and checklane blisters starting in late 2021.
Historical Context
Cinderace is the Fire-type starter from the Galar region; this card features its Gigantamax form used in Pokemon Sword/Shield games.
Market Trends
Stable/Low; common VMAX cards from recent sets maintain low price floors due to high supply.
Investment Potential
Low; mass-produced modern ultra-rares rarely see significant appreciation compared to alternate arts or vintage cards.
Similar Cards
Inteleon VMAX (Fusion Strike), Rillaboom VMAX (S&S Base), Charizard VMAX (Shining Fates).
Display & Preservation
Penny sleeve and top loader or a 9-pocket page binder is sufficient for this value tier.
Interesting Facts
Despite being 'Ultra Rare', this is considered one of the most accessible VMAX cards in the Fusion Strike set.