Wartortle – Base (#42)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Wartortle (#42) is an Uncommon card from Base - Base released in 1999. It showcases artwork by Ken Sugimori and the Withdraw attack, Flip a coin. If heads, prevent all damage done to Wartortle during your opponent's next turn. (Any other effects of attacks still happen.). TCGplayer market price sits around $3.46, Cardmarket average sale is €11.86, Floor listings start near €4.95.
- TCGplayer market price: $3.46
- Cardmarket trend price: €7.71
- Recent low listing: €4.95
Card Details
- Set
- Base
- Card Number
- 42
- Rarity
- ✨ Uncommon
- Illustrator
- 🎨 Ken Sugimori
- HP
- 70
- Type
- 💧 Water
- Weaknesses
- Lightning ×2
- Retreat Cost
- 1 (Colorless)
- Evolves To
- Blastoise
Attacks & Strategy
-
Withdraw
[Water, Colorless]
Flip a coin. If heads, prevent all damage done to Wartortle during your opponent's next turn. (Any other effects of attacks still happen.) - Bite [Water, Colorless, Colorless] — 40
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Wartortle from Base (Uncommon) represents an interesting 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 Wartortle 42 is legal for tournament play in Unlimited format.
Key Attack: Wartortle's Withdraw for Water + Colorless energy. Special effect: Flip a coin. If heads, prevent all damage done to Wartortle during your opponent's next turn. (Any o...
Stats Overview: 70 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 Wartortle Cards
Looking for other Wartortle cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
| Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base #42 ← Current | 70 | 2 attacks | Uncommon | $3.46 |
�📦 Base Set Context
This Wartortle 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 Wartortle 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
- Uncommon 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.
More from Base
📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Wartortle 42 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 Wartortle 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 Wartortle 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: Wartortle works best in Water type decks. Low energy cost attacks make this card great for aggressive early-game strategies.