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 1 (evolves from Squirtle)
HP
60
TypeWater
RarityPromo
IllustratorNaoyo Kimura
WeaknessLightning ×2
Retreat●
SetSouthern Islands
Released2001
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
- Promo
- 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
Grade-worthy value
Buy raw ~$65.07
If PSA 9 (likely)
+$•••
If PSA 10 (best case)
+$•••
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07Why Collectors Want It
- Released in the 2001 Southern Islands collection, a tightly-distributed promo set originally given out via an Australian retail tie-in and later as a Toys R Us bundle.
- Part of the Blastoise-line group in the set — Southern Islands starter-line slots are highly sought by completionists.
- PSA 10 (~$557) trades around ~10× raw — Southern Islands' soft foil and thin print run keep gem-mint copies legitimately scarce.
- A must-have for any vintage Blastoise-line collector, with the era's iconic art style.
08Competitive Playability
Tier: None
Stage 1 Wartortle with 60 HP; top attack around 20 damage. Functions as an evolution-chain piece rather than a tournament attacker.
09Card Moves and Abilities
Water Gun
Does 20 damage plus 10 more damage for each Water Energy attached to Wartortle but not used to pay for this attack's Energy cost. You can't add more than 20 damage in this way.
- Weakness
- Lightning ×2
- Retreat cost
- 1
10Grading and Population
PSA 10 estimate: WotC-era Wartortle 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.