Wailord – Great Encounters (#30)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Wailord (#30) is a Rare card from Diamond & Pearl - Great Encounters released in 2008. It showcases artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita and the Sink Deep attack (60 damage), If Wailord has any damage counters on it, Wailord is now Asleep.. TCGplayer market price sits around $5.35, Cardmarket average sale is €1.07, Floor listings start near €0.10.
- TCGplayer market price: $5.35
- Cardmarket trend price: €1.37
- Recent low listing: €0.10
Card Details
- Set
- Great Encounters
- Card Number
- 30
- Rarity
- ✨ Rare
- Illustrator
- 🎨 Mitsuhiro Arita
- HP
- 200
- Type
- 💧 Water
- Weaknesses
- Lightning ×2
- Retreat Cost
- 4 (Colorless, Colorless, Colorless, Colorless)
Abilities
-
Sleeping Pulse
As long as Wailord remains Asleep between turns, remove 1 damage counter from Wailord.
Attacks & Strategy
-
Sink Deep
[Water, Water, Water, Colorless]
— 60
If Wailord has any damage counters on it, Wailord is now Asleep.
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Wailord from Great Encounters (Rare) represents a solid addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2008, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Mitsuhiro Arita.
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 Wailord 30 is legal for tournament play in Unlimited format.
Key Attack: Wailord's Sink Deep deals 60 damage for Water + Water + Water + Colorless energy. Special effect: If Wailord has any damage counters on it, Wailord is now Asleep.
Stats Overview: 200 HP • Water Type • Weak to Lightning ×2
Players should check the official Pokémon TCG tournament rules for the most current format regulations and card legality status.
� Compare Wailord Cards
Looking for other Wailord cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
| Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Encounters #30 ← Current | 200 | 1 attack | Rare | $5.35 |
�📦 Great Encounters Set Context
This Wailord is part of the Great Encounters expansion , released as part of the Diamond & Pearl series in 2008.
Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita, 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 Wailord 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 cards from Great Encounters are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
- The illustration by Mitsuhiro Arita 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: Wailord 30 was released in 2008 in the Great Encounters expansion. This set is part of the Diamond & Pearl series, which introduced new gameplay mechanics and collectible cards.
Artist Background: The artwork for this card was created by Mitsuhiro Arita. This artist is known for creating premium illustration rare and special rare artwork that collectors highly value. View complete portfolio →
Set Popularity: Great Encounters 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 Wailord with high HP make excellent tank options in competitive play, often serving as cornerstone Pokémon in control decks. Currently legal in Unlimited format.
🛡️ Related Products & Deck Building
Maximize the value and playability of your Wailord 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: Wailord works best in Water type decks. With high HP, consider including healing and damage reduction cards to maximize survivability.