01Card Stats

Stage 1 (evolves from Poliwag)

HP 60

TypeWater

RarityUncommon

IllustratorKen Sugimori

WeaknessGrass ×2

Retreat●

SetBase Set

Released1999

02Editions and Print Runs

Printed in the WotC era when 1st Edition, Shadowless, and Unlimited distinctions still applied.

1st Edition

How to spot it: 1st Edition stamp in the bottom-left of the artwork frame.

First print window; smaller run than Unlimited.

Shadowless

How to spot it: No drop shadow on the right and bottom of the artwork box; thinner, lighter frame.

Early Unlimited sub-print between 1st Edition and Unlimited; scarcer than standard Unlimited.

Unlimited

How to spot it: No 1st Edition stamp; standard print frame.

Most common version of this card.

04Variants and Foiling

Rarity tiers: Uncommon
Foiling: Non-holo standard finish.
Alt art / specials: No full-art, secret rare, or alternate-art version documented for this print.

05Language and Regional Versions

English: Standard English release.
Japanese: Released in the equivalent Japanese set.
European: Localized European prints exist with translated text.
Other: No documented language-exclusive errors or major regional variants.

06Current Market Value

Holo	1st Edition ~$34 · Shadowless ~$4.71 · Unlimited ~$1.59 raw (PriceCharting realized, May 2026)

Vintage WotC holo with edition variants; the 1st Edition print is the chase.

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07Why Collectors Want It

Original WotC-era printing from the Base Set set — foundational vintage Poliwhirl.
Middle stage of the Poliwag → Poliwhirl → Poliwrath line, with vintage Base Set roots.
Required for any complete Poliwhirl master set across eras.
Collectors of the Base Set set need this card to finish it.

08Competitive Playability

Tier: None

Stage 1 Poliwhirl with 60 HP; top attack around 30 damage. Functions as an evolution-chain piece rather than a tournament attacker.

09Card Moves and Abilities

Amnesia Cost: Water + Water

Choose 1 of the Defending Pokémon's attacks. That Pokémon can't use that attack during your opponent's next turn.

Doubleslap Cost: Water + Water + Colorless · 30× damage

Flip 2 coins. This attack does 30 damage times the number of heads.

Weakness: Grass ×2
Retreat cost: 1

10Grading and Population

PSA 10 estimate: WotC-era Poliwhirl PSA 10 populations vary; small numbers across most sets.

Graded copies command notable premiums over raw, especially for 1st Edition prints.

Other graders: BGS and CGC also grade vintage Pokemon; PSA dominates secondary-market liquidity.

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