1st Edition
How to spot it: 1st Edition stamp below-left of the artwork window; no drop shadow.
Smallest print run and the most valuable edition by a wide margin.
01Card Stats
Stage 1 (evolves from Bulbasaur)
HP
60
TypeGrass
RarityUncommon
IllustratorKen Sugimori
WeaknessFire ×2
Retreat●
SetBase Set
Released1999
02Editions and Print Runs
Part of the original 1999 Base Set, printed across three collectible editions.
Shadowless
How to spot it: No 1st Edition stamp and no drop shadow to the right of the art window; brighter, flatter coloring.
Scarce transitional printing between 1st Edition and Unlimited.
Unlimited
How to spot it: Drop shadow added beside the art window. Standard print.
By far the most common version.
04Variants and Foiling
- Rarity tiers
- Uncommon
- Foiling
- Non-holo. Base Set predates reverse holo, so no reverse-holo variant exists.
- Alt art / specials
- No alternate-art version; this is the original 1999 print.
05Language and Regional Versions
- English
- English Base Set Ivysaur — the most collected version.
- Japanese
- Japanese Base Set Ivysaur predates the English release.
- European
- Localized European prints exist with translated text.
- Other
- International Base Set prints surface in several languages.
06Current Market Value
| Non Holo Unlimited | ~$5 market (raw) |
|---|---|
| Shadowless | Premium over Unlimited |
| First Edition | 1st Edition is the most desirable of the three editions |
| Psa 10 | Graded gem-mint copies trade above raw |
A steady set-completion card; edition and grade drive the spread.
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07Why Collectors Want It
- The original 1999 middle evolution that completes the Bulbasaur → Ivysaur → Venusaur Base Set line.
- Classic Ken Sugimori artwork.
- Often overlooked relative to Venusaur, which keeps clean copies a quiet value play.
- 1st Edition and Shadowless copies are chased by vintage set-builders.
- Anchors any complete Ivysaur or Base Set collection.
08Competitive Playability
Tier: None
A 60-HP Stage 1 with Vine Whip and Poisonpowder, Base Set Ivysaur was never competitively relevant — it serves as the evolution step toward Venusaur. Its appeal is collectible.
09Card Moves and Abilities
Vine Whip
Poisonpowder
The Defending Pokémon is now Poisoned.
- Weakness
- Fire ×2
- Retreat cost
- 1
10Grading and Population
PSA 10 estimate: WotC-era Uncommon — PSA 10 populations are modest; Shadowless and 1st Edition gems are scarce.
Centering and surface wear are the usual downgrades; graded copies carry premiums over raw.
Other graders: PSA leads; BGS and CGC also grade Base Set cards.