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Poliwhirl

Card 89/165

Vintage 2002 Expedition Base Set Poliwhirl — WotC-era Water-type from the Poliwrath line.

Expedition Base SetSet
2002Released
UncommonRarity
Yuka MoriiIllustrator

01Card Stats

Stage 1 (evolves from Poliwag)
HP 70
TypeWater
RarityUncommon
IllustratorYuka Morii
WeaknessLightning ×2
Retreat●
SetExpedition Base Set
Released2002

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. Reverse-holo parallel exists with the holo pattern applied to the background.
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~$20 raw for the base card; verify current listings.
Reverse Holo~$33 raw (PriceCharting realized, May 2026)

The reverse-holo parallel is the value driver on this card.

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07Why Collectors Want It

  • Early-2000s Expedition Base Set printing with vintage collector appeal.
  • Middle stage of the Poliwag → Poliwhirl → Poliwrath line, with vintage Base Set roots.
  • Required for any complete Poliwhirl master set across eras.
  • Collectors of the Expedition Base Set set need this card to finish it.

08Competitive Playability

Tier: None

Stage 1 Poliwhirl with 70 HP; top attack around 30 damage. Functions as an evolution-chain piece rather than a tournament attacker.

09Card Moves and Abilities

Punch Cost: Colorless + Colorless · 20 damage

Bubblebeam Cost: Water + Colorless + Colorless · 30 damage

Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.

Weakness
Lightning ×2
Retreat cost
1

10Grading and Population

PSA 10 estimate: WotC-era Poliwhirl 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.

More Poliwhirl cards

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