01Card Stats

Stage 2 (evolves from Wartortle)

HP 100

TypeWater

RarityRare Holo

IllustratorKen Sugimori

WeaknessLightning ×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	~$89 raw/ungraded — verified against PriceCharting eBay-sold prices (May 2026). PSA 10 gem-mint copies ~$8,136.

Verified May 2026 from PriceCharting realized (eBay-sold) data; raw/ungraded headline, graded copies higher. The 1999 Base Set holo — one of the original three chase cards.

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07Why Collectors Want It

One of the original three Base Set holos (with Charizard and Venusaur) — the cards that defined early Pokémon collecting.
Full vintage edition spread: 1st Edition ~$1,010 raw (the chase), Shadowless ~$206, Unlimited ~$106.
1st-Edition PSA 10 copies realize ~$38,500 — a blue-chip vintage grail.
Essential to any Base Set or Squirtle-line master set.

08Competitive Playability

Tier: None

Stage 2 Blastoise with 100 HP; top attack around 40 damage. Functions as an evolution-chain piece rather than a tournament attacker.

09Card Moves and Abilities

Ability: Rain Dance

As often as you like during your turn (before your attack), you may attach 1 Water Energy card to 1 of your Water Pokémon. (This doesn't use up your 1 Energy card attachment for the turn.) This power can't be used if Blastoise is Asleep, Confused, or Paralyzed.

Hydro Pump Cost: Water + Water + Water · 40+ damage

Does 40 damage plus 10 more damage for each Water Energy attached to Blastoise but not used to pay for this attack's Energy cost. Extra Water Energy after the 2nd doesn't count.

Weakness: Lightning ×2
Retreat cost: 3

10Grading and Population

PSA 10 estimate: 1st Edition PSA 10 ~$38,578 (PriceCharting realized, May 2026).

Base Set holos suffer centering and holo-scratch issues; 1st-Edition PSA 10 Blastoise is scarce and trades at a massive premium over raw.

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

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Blastoise