Magby vs Malamar
Magby (Paradox Rift) and Malamar (Obsidian Flames) are frequently compared because they often appear together in the same deck archetype. This page breaks down which one is the better buy right now.
Current TCGPlayer market prices put the two at $16.80 for Magby and $0.20 for Malamar — a gap of $16.60 (8300%). Prices update daily, and the two charts below show how each has moved.
Stat comparison
| Market price | $16.80 | $0.20 |
| Set | Paradox Rift | Obsidian Flames |
| Number | #186 | #138 |
| HP | 30 | 120 |
| Type | Fire | Darkness |
| Subtypes | Basic | Stage 1 |
| Retreat cost | — | 2 |
| Rarity | Illustration Rare | Uncommon |
Price history
Price History
Price History
Which should you buy?
When comparing Malamar (Obsidian Flames #138) against Magby (Paradox Rift #186), the most immediate difference is price. Magby currently trades at roughly $16.80 while Malamar sits near $0.20 — a gap of about $16.60 (8300%). That spread alone is often the deciding factor for buyers weighing the two. On raw HP, Malamar edges the comparison at 120 to the other card's 30 — a meaningful margin for trading hits and surviving chip damage. Malamar is a Darkness-type while Magby is Fire-type, so the two can coexist in an energy-diverse build without fighting for the same attachments. On the competitive side, both appear together in the Iron Thorns ex / Gholdengo ex archetype, filling complementary roles in the same shell rather than substituting for each other. Rarity is another dividing line: Malamar is Uncommon while Magby is Illustration Rare, which typically explains most of the price gap and signals different print volumes. For buyers, the practical question is usually about use-case. If you are chasing value or planning to flip, the cheaper card carries less downside risk. If you are building a deck, the shared-deck or evolution relationship matters more than the sticker price. And for collectors, the two printings or variants together tend to form a more complete set than either alone. Always check the live TCGPlayer and Amazon listings before buying, since prices move.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more expensive, Magby or Malamar?
Magby (Paradox Rift) is more expensive at $16.80, versus $0.20 for Malamar (Obsidian Flames) — a difference of $16.60 (8300%). Prices refresh daily from TCGPlayer market data.
Are Magby and Malamar used in the same decks?
Yes — both see play in Iron Thorns ex / Gholdengo ex. They usually fill complementary roles rather than competing for the same slot.
Which is more recent?
Both were released in 2023, from Paradox Rift and Obsidian Flames respectively.
Where should I buy Magby or Malamar?
Both cards are typically available on TCGPlayer (the largest individual-card marketplace) and Amazon (where sealed product and bundles dominate). Use the buy links above to see live listings by condition and seller.