The Fire-type comprises some of the best, most exciting cards in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Fire-types are known for their fast-paced, offensive strategies, as they hope to blaze through the competition as quickly as possible. With so many strong Fire-type Pokémon cards in the TCG, it can be hard to separate the best from the rest, but a few cards stand out among the others.
Of course, if the Pokémon TCG gave er cards typings, the strongest Fire-types would be Welder and Blacksmith. That said, the best Fire-type cards tend to be those that make the most out of these cards’ abilities to draw Fire energies from the deck or discard pile. Certain cards can succeed by relying on their specific strengths, or they can even function as their own engines without the use of Welder or Blacksmith. But the strongest Fire-type Pokémon are those that build their flame with the rest of the deck.
10 Pyroar
Pyroar from Flashfire may not have the power regularly associated with strong Fire-type cards, but it has a strength that other cards lack. Pyroar’s ability “Intimidating Mane” makes it immune to Basic Pokémon's attacks, however, the Pokémon also suffers from a lack of versatility. Pokémon TCG players had to evolve into it and then charge up its “Scorching Fang” attack in order for it to be effective.
This meant that decks had to be built around Pyroar, a Pokémon whose stage presence was threatening but whose offensive capabilities were mediocre. Additionally, charging Scorching Fang to its fullest potential meant discarding more Fire energies, another factor that had to be built around in decks. For that, Pyroar remains one of the strongest ever Pokémon TCG cards among other Fire-types but not the strongest.
9 Magcargo
Magcargo from Celestial Storm may not be the most powerful Pokémon, but it does grant its power over chance. Like Magcargo GX from Lost Thunder, Magcargo’s strength lies in its ability—“Smooth Over”— controlling how cards are pulled from a deck. Smooth Over works by allowing a player to search their deck for any card, place that card on the top of their deck, and then shuffle. Drawing cards and controlling which cards are pulled are two of the most important elements in the Pokémon TCG; so since Magcargo grants so much control over the latter, it is one of the very best Fire-types in the Pokémon TCG.
8 Infernape
Steam Siege Infernape is not only the strongest the Generation 4 starter has ever been in the Pokémon TCG—it is one of the strongest Fire-types in general. For just two Fire energies, Infernape can dish out 120 damage with “Flare Blitz," but at the cost of discarding all energies attached to it. Infernape’s second move “Flare Up” takes advantage of this, as it deals 200 damage for only two Fire energies if there are at least 10 Fire energies in the discard pile; plus these 10 Fire energies are then shuffled back into the deck. Infernape is thus a quintessential offensive Fire-type that serves as its own engine.
7 Volcanion
Volcanion from the Pokémon TCG expansion Unbroken Bonds can powerfully erupt in the early game in the right conditions. Because of Volcanion’s ability “Flare Starter,” if a player goes second on their first turn, they can search their deck for three Fire energies, use them any way they want, and then shuffle their deck. Building up so much Fire energy so quickly is great on its own; but combined with Volcanion’s move “High-Heat Blast” - which does 50 base damage plus 60 if it has four Fire energies attached to it - it becomes a powerful, early-game tool. The mixture of energy build-up and fast-paced offense make Volcanion one of the best Fire-type cards in the Pokémon TCG.
6 Heatran GX
Heatran GX from Unified Minds poses an immediate threat to any foe around it. Heatran GX’s selling point is its ability “Burning Road,” a boosted version of “Flash Fire” that gives any number of Fire energies attached to other Pokémon to Heatran GX when it is moved from the Bench into Action. This fuels its GX move, “Hot Burn,” which does 50 damage, times the amount of Fire energies attached to the Pokémon. All Pokémon TCG players need to do to make Heatran effective is develop their other Fire-types with the correct engines and then send the pocket monster in to sweep.
5 Volcanion EX
Beyond its unique dual Fire and Water typing, Volcanion EX is such a powerful Fire-type that it was briefly banned in the Pokémon TCG. With a decent 180 HP and powerful 130 damage “Volcanic Heat” attack, Volcanion EX is a major threat just on the surface level. Looking deeper reveals its true power with the “Steam Up” ability. By discarding one Fire energy, a player’s basic Fire Pokémon will deal 30 extra damage that turn. Combined with Welders fueling other Fire-types on the team, Volcanion GX is an excellent addition for any Fire-centered deck with its offensive and team-based contributions.
4 Blacephalon GX
Like its Ultra Beast counterpart in the Pokémon games, Blacephalon GX is a damage-dealing menace in the Pokémon TCG. Its move “Mind Blown” does 50 damage times however many Fire energies are in the Lost Zone. YouTuber Tricky Gym explains that with the right drawing engines, this attack can be easily relied upon to take down the “biggest of big Pokémon,” and with Blacephalon coming from a meta dominated by bulky Fusions and VMAXs, that is hugely important. Tricky Gym also explains that Blacephalon’s GX ability also allows it to manipulate Prize trades, one of the most important facets of the Pokémon TCG.
The only thing holding Blacephalon GX back is that it’s a glass cannon. That said, its move “Bursting Blur” can help defend it, as it causes foe to be both burned and confused for just one Fire energy. That this causes continual damage to enemies while preventing them from attacking Blacephalon GX makes the Ultra Beast one of the greatest Fire-type Pokémon in the TCG.
3 Cinderace VMAX
Cinderace VMAX from Rebel Clash embodies the fast-paced, offensive presence of Fire-types at the highest level. For just two Fire energies and a Colorless energy, Cinderace deals 170 damage with “Max Pyro Ball,” which also burns opponents’ Active Pokémon. But if an opponent hits Cinderace VMAX, it can use “Counter,” which deals the damage it received plus 30. And with Cinderace’s huge 320 HP stat, it will attract heavy hits that it can then deliver back even harder. Such strong moves designed to destroy opponents as quickly as possible are exactly what the Fire-type is all about, making Cinderace VMAX one of the best in the Pokémon TCG.
2 Centiskorch VMAX
Centiskorch VMAX’s move “G Max Centiferno” - which does 40 damage for every Fire energy attached to the card - is so broken that even the Pokémon Company recognizes its power. On the Pokémon website, it says, “while many Pokémon suffer a penalty for using this kind of powerful attack, such as the requirement to discard their Energy, Centiskorch VMAX gains an advantage. If G-Max Centiferno does damage to your opponent’s Pokémon, you may choose to attach a Fire Energy from your discard pile to Centiskorch VMAX.”
This advantage essentially allows Centiskorch VMAX to continually recharge its powerful G Max Centiferno. With a Welder and other aggressive Fire engines, Centiskorch VMAX can build up unbelievably powerful attacks. And considering its whopping 320 HP stat, Centiskorch will have plenty of time to collect Fire energies to decimate opponents.
1 Reshiram & Charizard GX
The best Fire-type card in all the Pokémon TCG has to be Reshiram & Charizard GX. Decks built around this card and Welder have been some of the most successful in Pokémon TCG history, and for good reason. Reshiram & Charizard have it all: a strong 270 HP stat, a low-energy move that punishes opponents for targeting the card, a high-energy move that will reduce enemies to ash when charged, and a GX attack with a terrifying effect.
The GX move “Double Blaze” - when doubly charged with six Fire energies - will do 300 damage to a target regardless of any effects on it. This amount of damage poses a threat to even the bulkiest VMAX cards. With such a dynamic offensive presence that can be combined with a strong HP stat and team synergy, Reshiram & Charizard GX has to be the very best Fire-type in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
Sources: Tricky Gym / YouTube, Pokémon
