Poliwrath – Base (#13)

Price Overview & Key Facts
Poliwrath (#13) is a Rare Holo card from Base - Base released in 1999. It showcases artwork by Ken Sugimori and the Water Gun attack (30+ damage), Does 30 damage plus 10 more damage for each Water Energy attached to Poliwrath but not used to pay for this attack's Energy cost. Extra Water Energy after the 2nd doesn't count.. TCGplayer market price sits around $22.27, Cardmarket average sale is €25.12, Floor listings start near €3.95.
- TCGplayer market price: $22.27
- Cardmarket trend price: €24.73
- Recent low listing: €3.95
Card Details
- Set
- Base
- Card Number
- 13
- Rarity
- ✨ Rare Holo
- Illustrator
- 🎨 Ken Sugimori
- HP
- 90
- Type
- 💧 Water
- Weaknesses
- Grass ×2
- Retreat Cost
- 3 (Colorless, Colorless, Colorless)
Attacks & Strategy
-
Water Gun
[Water, Water, Colorless]
— 30+
Does 30 damage plus 10 more damage for each Water Energy attached to Poliwrath but not used to pay for this attack's Energy cost. Extra Water Energy after the 2nd doesn't count. -
Whirlpool
[Water, Water, Colorless, Colorless]
— 40
If the Defending Pokémon has any Energy cards attached to it, choose 1 of them and discard it.
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Poliwrath from Base (Rare Holo) represents a solid addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 1999, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Ken Sugimori.
Market Trends: Current market conditions show moderate interest in this card.
Investment Considerations: Vintage cards from this era have shown strong long-term appreciation potential.
⚔️ Competitive Play & Tournament Viability
This Poliwrath 13 is legal for tournament play in Unlimited format.
Key Attack: Poliwrath's Water Gun deals 30+ damage for Water + Water + Colorless energy. Special effect: Does 30 damage plus 10 more damage for each Water Energy attached to Poliwrath but not used to pay f...
Stats Overview: 90 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 Poliwrath Cards
Looking for other Poliwrath cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Base #13 ← Current | 90 | 2 attacks | Rare Holo | $22.27 |
�📦 Base Set Context
This Poliwrath is part of the Base expansion , released as part of the Base series in 1999.
Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Ken Sugimori, 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.
💎 Professional Grading Guide
Professional grading can significantly increase the value of your Poliwrath card. Here's what you need to know:
Industry standard • Value multiplier: 2-4x
Best for: High-value cards, modern sets
Subgrades available • Value multiplier: 2-3x
Best for: Premium cards, perfect centering
Fast turnaround • Value multiplier: 1.5-3x
Best for: Budget-friendly option, bulk
💡 Should You Grade This Card?
- Yes, consider grading if: Card value exceeds $20 and is in excellent 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 Holo cards from Base are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
- The illustration by Ken Sugimori 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.
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📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Poliwrath 13 was released in 1999 in the Base expansion. This set is part of the Base series, which introduced new gameplay mechanics and collectible cards.
Artist Background: The artwork for this card was created by Ken Sugimori. Professional Pokémon TCG artists undergo rigorous selection and bring unique styles to the game. View complete portfolio →
Set Popularity: Base is a vintage set that has gained significant collector interest over time, with sealed product and individual cards showing strong appreciation.
Competitive History: Water type Pokémon like Poliwrath with versatile attack options provide flexibility in deck building and can adapt to different matchups. Currently legal in Unlimited format.
🛡️ Related Products & Deck Building
Maximize the value and playability of your Poliwrath card with these essential products:
- Penny sleeves: Basic protection
- Perfect fit sleeves: Pre-grading
- Top loaders: Display & storage
- Binders with side-loading pages
- Storage boxes (800-count)
- ETB (Elite Trainer Box) storage
- Premium display cases
- Pair with Water energy cards
- Energy acceleration trainers
- Draw support & consistency cards
💡 Deck Building Tip: Poliwrath works best in Water type decks.