Blastoise – Unbroken Bonds (#218)

Blastoise Pokémon card — Unbroken Bonds #218, Rare Rainbow
Illustration Rare artwork showcased in the Scarlet & Violet: Unbroken Bonds expansion.

Price Overview & Key Facts

Blastoise (#218) is a Rare Rainbow card from Sun & Moon - Unbroken Bonds released in 2019. It showcases artwork by sadaji and the Rocket Splash attack (60× damage), Shuffle any amount of Water Energy from your Pokémon into your deck. This attack does 60 damage for each card you shuffled into your deck in this way.. TCGplayer market price sits around $95.84, Cardmarket average sale is €121.25, Floor listings start near €35.00.

  • TCGplayer market price: $95.84
  • Cardmarket trend price: €86.51
  • Recent low listing: €35.00
Current Prices: €86.51 (CM) $95.84 (TCG)

Card Details

Set
Unbroken Bonds
Card Number
218
Rarity
✨ Rare Rainbow
Illustrator
🎨 sadaji
HP
240
Type
💧 Water
Weaknesses
Grass ×2
Retreat Cost
3 (Colorless, Colorless, Colorless)

Abilities

  • Solid Shell
    This Pokémon takes 30 less damage from attacks (after applying Weakness and Resistance).

Attacks & Strategy

  • Rocket Splash [Water, Water] — 60×
    Shuffle any amount of Water Energy from your Pokémon into your deck. This attack does 60 damage for each card you shuffled into your deck in this way.
  • Giant Geyser-GX [Water]
    Attach any number of Water Energy cards from your hand to your Pokémon in any way you like. (You can't use more than 1 GX attack in a game.)

💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential

Blastoise from Unbroken Bonds (Rare Rainbow) represents a premium addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2019, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator sadaji.

Market Trends: Current market conditions show moderate interest in this card.

Investment Considerations: Mid-range TCG cards often provide balanced risk-reward profiles for collectors. Premium rarities like this typically see stronger price retention during market fluctuations.

⚔️ Competitive Play & Tournament Viability

This Blastoise 218 is legal for tournament play in Expanded, Unlimited formats.

Key Attack: Blastoise's Rocket Splash deals 60× damage for Water + Water energy. Special effect: Shuffle any amount of Water Energy from your Pokémon into your deck. This attack does 60 damage for ...

Stats Overview: 240 HP • Water Type • Weak to Grass ×2

Players should check the official Pokémon TCG tournament rules for the most current format regulations and card legality status.

� Compare Blastoise Cards

Looking for other Blastoise cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.

Set HP Attacks Rarity Avg Price
Unbroken Bonds #218 ← Current 240 2 attacks Rare Rainbow $95.84

Browse all Blastoise cards →

�📦 Unbroken Bonds Set Context

This Blastoise is part of the Unbroken Bonds expansion , released as part of the Sun & Moon series in 2019. As a Rare Rainbow card, it represents one of the premium pulls from this set.

Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by sadaji, whose distinctive illustration style has made their cards highly collectible. Explore more cards illustrated by this artist to discover similar art styles and collecting themes.

View all chase cards from Unbroken Bonds →

💎 Professional Grading Guide

Professional grading can significantly increase the value of your Blastoise card. Here's what you need to know:

🥇 PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)

Industry standard • Value multiplier: 3-6x

Best for: High-value cards, modern sets

🥈 BGS (Beckett Grading Services)

Subgrades available • Value multiplier: 3-5x

Best for: Premium cards, perfect centering

🥉 CGC (Certified Guaranty Company)

Fast turnaround • Value multiplier: 2-4x

Best for: Budget-friendly option, bulk

💡 Should You Grade This Card?

  • Yes, consider grading if: Premium rarity card in Near Mint+ condition
  • Grading cost: $20-100+ per card (depending on service level)
  • Break-even point: Card should be worth $50+ raw to justify grading costs
  • Turnaround time: 2 weeks to 6 months depending on service

Collector Notes

  • Rare Rainbow cards from Unbroken Bonds are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
  • The illustration by sadaji resonates with starter collectors, creating consistent search demand for this Bulbasaur variant.
  • Water typing keeps this card relevant for themed decks and Grass-type collectors alike.

📚 Card History & Trivia

Release Information: Blastoise 218 was released in 2019 in the Unbroken Bonds expansion. This set is part of the Sun & Moon series, which introduced new gameplay mechanics and collectible cards.

Artist Background: The artwork for this card was created by sadaji. Professional Pokémon TCG artists undergo rigorous selection and bring unique styles to the game. View complete portfolio →

Rarity & Collectibility: As a Rare Rainbow card, this Blastoise is among the premium chase cards from Unbroken Bonds. Rainbow Rare cards feature the distinctive rainbow foil pattern that has become iconic in modern Pokémon TCG. These premium versions typically hold value better than common printings.

Set Popularity: Unbroken Bonds represents a mid-era release that balances accessibility with collectibility.

Competitive History: Water type Pokémon like Blastoise with high HP make excellent tank options in competitive play, often serving as cornerstone Pokémon in control decks. Currently legal in Expanded, Unlimited formats.

🛡️ Related Products & Deck Building

Maximize the value and playability of your Blastoise card with these essential products:

🎴 Card Protection
  • Penny sleeves: Basic protection
  • Perfect fit sleeves: Pre-grading
  • Top loaders: Display & storage
  • Magnetic holders recommended
📦 Storage Solutions
  • Binders with side-loading pages
  • Storage boxes (800-count)
  • ETB (Elite Trainer Box) storage
  • Premium display cases
⚔️ Deck Building
  • Pair with Water energy cards
  • Energy acceleration trainers
  • Draw support & consistency cards

💡 Deck Building Tip: Blastoise works best in Water type decks. With high HP, consider including healing and damage reduction cards to maximize survivability. Low energy cost attacks make this card great for aggressive early-game strategies.

🛒 Where to Buy Blastoise & Explore More

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