Wartortle · Base Set 2, what to know.
About the Wartortle card
Numbered 63 of 130 in Base Set 2, released in February 2000, Wartortle is an Uncommon, a Stage 1 Water-type carrying 70 HP.
It evolves from Squirtle, so Wartortle is a later-stage card that set-builders usually slot into a full evolution run rather than buy alone.
Illustrated by Ken Sugimori. Sugimori is the lead character designer of Pokémon itself, so his card art carries the tight, on-model look that defined how the creatures appear in the games.
Printed on the card, the Wartortle Pokédex entry reads: "Often hides in water to stalk unweary prey. When swimming quickly, it moves its ears to maintain balance."
About Wartortle in the Pokémon world
The Squirtle middle stage. Longer ears, tail-feathers, and a more aggressive posture than Squirtle. Almost exclusively bought as part of a complete water starter line. Standalone demand is modest.
What is Wartortle worth?
Wartortle is an Uncommon, so raw copies are inexpensive and easy to find. The value is in condition: a genuine PSA 10, especially 1st Edition, can still reach a surprising figure for an otherwise common card. The live price above breaks it down by grade.
Print variants and how to spot them
Base Set 2 produced Unlimited prints. For Wartortle, the print variant can change the price several times over, so identify it before you buy.
Grading and condition
Wartortle grades forgivingly, but the same centering and edge standards apply. Pack-fresh raw copies are easy to find, which makes a clean PSA 10 submission a low-cost way to learn how the cardstock behaves under grading.
If you are collecting Wartortle
Raw copies of Wartortle are inexpensive enough that grading rarely pays unless you have a clearly pack-fresh example. For set completion, a clean sleeved Wartortle is the practical move.
