1st Edition
How to spot it: 1st Edition stamp in the bottom-left of the artwork frame.
First print window; smaller run than Unlimited.
01Card Stats
Stage 2 (evolves from Dark Wartortle)
HP
70
TypeWater
RarityRare Holo
IllustratorMitsuhiro Arita
WeaknessLightning ×2
Retreat●●
SetLegendary Collection
Released2002
02Editions and Print Runs
Printed in the WotC era when 1st Edition and Unlimited distinctions still applied.
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 | ~$95 raw/ungraded — verified against PriceCharting eBay-sold prices (May 2026). PSA 10 gem-mint copies ~$999. |
|---|---|
| Reverse Holo | The reverse-holo parallel is the chase — sold average ~$55 (range ~$8 to high gem-mint NM ~$700). |
Verified May 2026 from PriceCharting realized (eBay-sold) data; raw/ungraded headline, graded copies higher. Dark Blastoise holo (2002 Legendary Collection reprint).
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07Why Collectors Want It
- Early-2000s Legendary Collection printing with vintage collector appeal.
- Final evolution of the Kanto Water starter; its 1999 Base Set holo is one of the original chase cards alongside Charizard and Venusaur.
- Required for any complete Blastoise master set across eras.
- Collectors of the Legendary Collection set need this card to finish it.
08Competitive Playability
Tier: None
Stage 2 Blastoise with 70 HP; top attack around 40 damage. Functions as an evolution-chain piece rather than a tournament attacker.
09Card Moves and Abilities
Hydrocannon
Does 30 damage plus 20 more damage for each Water Energy attached to Dark Blastoise but not used to pay for this attack's Energy cost. You can't add more than 40 damage in this way.
Rocket Tackle
Dark Blastoise does 10 damage to itself. Flip a coin. If heads, prevent all damage done to Dark Blastoise during your opponent's next turn. (Any other effects of attacks still happen.)
- Weakness
- Lightning ×2
- Retreat cost
- 2
10Grading and Population
PSA 10 estimate: WotC-era Blastoise 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.