01Card Stats

Stage 1 (evolves from Shellder)

HP 50

TypeWater

RarityUncommon

IllustratorKagemaru Himeno

WeaknessLightning ×2

Retreat●●

SetFossil

Released1999

02Editions and Print Runs

Printed in the WotC era when 1st Edition 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.

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

Non Holo	~$7.92 TCGplayer market (asking-price proxy); eBay solds may differ — verify current listings.

TCGplayer market is an asking-price proxy and can run above realized eBay sold prices; verify against recent solds before buying or selling.

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07Why Collectors Want It

Original WotC-era printing from the Fossil set — foundational vintage Cloyster.
Final evolution of the Shellder → Cloyster line — home to the line's vintage holos and later V prints.
Required for any complete Cloyster master set across eras.
Collectors of the Fossil set need this card to finish it.

08Competitive Playability

Tier: None

Stage 1 Cloyster with 50 HP; top attack around 30 damage. Functions as an evolution-chain piece rather than a tournament attacker.

09Card Moves and Abilities

Clamp Cost: Water + Water · 30 damage

Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed. If tails, this attack does nothing (not even damage).

Spike Cannon Cost: Water + Water · 30× damage

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

Weakness: Lightning ×2
Retreat cost: 2

10Grading and Population

PSA 10 estimate: WotC-era Cloyster 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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