01Card Stats

Stage 2 (evolves from Poliwhirl)

HP 90

TypeWater

RarityRare Holo

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: Rare Holo
Foiling: Holo version with the holo pattern applied to the artwork.
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 ~$300 · Shadowless ~$36 · Unlimited ~$13 raw (PriceCharting realized, May 2026)

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

Looking to buy this card?

These links may earn HoloHaul a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Find on TCGplayer Find on eBay

07Why Collectors Want It

Original 1999 Base Set holo with the full edition spread: 1st Edition ~$300 (the chase), Shadowless ~$36, Unlimited ~$13.
1st-Edition PSA 10 copies realize a remarkable ~$13,000 — a blue-chip Base Set holo.
Base Set holos are foundational WotC vintage — condition-sensitive and increasingly tough in gem mint.
Essential to any Base Set or Poliwag-line master set.

08Competitive Playability

Tier: None

Stage 2 Poliwrath with 90 HP; top attack around 40 damage. Functions as an evolution-chain piece rather than a tournament attacker.

09Card Moves and Abilities

Water Gun Cost: Water + Water + Colorless · 30+ damage

Does 30 damage plus 10 more damage for each Water Energy attached to Poliwrath but not used to pay for this attack's Energy cost. Extra Water Energy after the 2nd doesn't count.

Whirlpool Cost: Water + Water + Colorless + Colorless · 40 damage

If the Defending Pokémon has any Energy cards attached to it, choose 1 of them and discard it.

Weakness: Grass ×2
Retreat cost: 3

10Grading and Population

PSA 10 estimate: 1st Edition PSA 10 ~$13,104 (PriceCharting realized, May 2026).

Base Set holos suffer print lines, holo scratch, and centering issues; 1st-Edition PSA 10s are scarce and trade at a huge premium over raw.

Other graders: BGS and CGC also grade vintage Base Set; PSA remains the resale standard.

← Back to all Poliwrath cards

Poliwrath