Top Wartortle Auction Sales in Pokémon TCG Market

In TCG ·

Wartortle card art from Southern Islands illustrated by Naoyo Kimura

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Wartortle Auction Trends: A Vintage Spotlight in the Pokémon TCG Market

In the sprawling tapestry of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, certain vintage pieces continue to shine on the auction block precisely because they fuse nostalgia, artistry, and a tangible sense of era. The Wartortle from the Southern Islands set is one such standout. A Stage 1 Water-type with a modest 60 HP, this card bridges the classic Squirtle line with the tropical charm of a sun-soaked archipelago. For collectors and auction-watchers alike, it’s a fascinating case study in how a common rarity can still command attention when the right variant—like holo or reverse holo—enters the fray, and when the market breathes anew around a beloved art style by Naoyo Kimura.

Let’s take a quick snapshot of the card’s fundamentals. Hailing from the Southern Islands set, which boasts a total of 18 cards, Wartortle is a Common rarity evolution of Squirtle, classified as a Stage 1 in the original Neo-era family tree. Its Water Gun attack demands two Water Energy, dealing 20 base damage with a clever scaling mechanic: you add 10 damage for each Water Energy attached to Wartortle that isn’t used to pay for the attack’s energy cost, up to a permissible limit. In practice, that means a well-fueled Wartortle can push higher damage output, even if your board state centers around a lean energy curve. The card’s single-pronged weakness—Lightning x2—reflects the era’s elemental balancing act. The illustrator behind this aquatic favorite is Naoyo Kimura, whose water-themed artistry helped define the set’s tropical mood and enduring appeal. For collectors, those artistic touches often matter as much as the numbers on the card face.

  • Set: Southern Islands
  • HP: 60
  • Type: Water
  • Stage: Stage 1 (evolves from Squirtle)
  • Attack: Water Gun — Cost: Water, Water; Damage: 20 plus 10 additional damage for each Water Energy attached to Wartortle but not used to pay for this attack’s Energy cost (maximum +20).
  • Weakness: Lightning ×2
  • Illustrator: Naoyo Kimura
  • Rarity: Common (with holo/reverse variants available)
  • Legal (modern formats): Not legal in standard or expanded formats
  • Notes for collectors: holo and reverse holo variants are the key drivers of auction interest, even for the Common rarity base card.

Recent market data paints an intriguing picture. Cardmarket data shows an average around 21.74 EUR with a low near 16.06 EUR, a reminder that European markets can tilt lower for vintage commons than their North American counterparts. On the US side, the TCGPlayer pricing overview for the non-first-edition, non-foil run sits roughly in the mid-$60s for the typical “normal” variant, with prices ranging from the low $50s to the upper $60s depending on condition and the presence of a holo or reverse holo treatment. The market price on TCGplayer sits around $37.17, signaling that direct purchase values still interact with auction dynamics—where pristine holo copies can climb higher due to demand for a visually striking collectible piece from a tropical era of the game. This blend of art, rarity, and nostalgia is precisely what fuels top auction moments when a rare holo or reverse holo surface in the wild.

“A card like this isn’t just about the damage on Water Gun. It’s about the moment when collectors flip over the sleeve, see Naoyo Kimura’s signature flair, and remember the thrill of sitting with a friend across the kitchen table, trading for a holo that glowed under a desk lamp.” ⚡🔥

From a gameplay lens, Wartortle’s Water Gun is a snapshot of vintage design philosophy. The attack’s strength scales with energy you’ve already attached, a mechanic that rewarded thoughtful energy management—especially in decks built around Water-type lines in the late 1990s and early 2000s. While the card’s modern playability is limited by contemporary format rules, its value as a display-piece and a talking point in auctions remains intact. The holo and reverse variants—often scraped from booster inserts and promotional printings—carry added premium in active marketplaces, a trend that top auctions tend to reflect with noteworthy precision.

Variant Value: Why Holo Wartortle Commands Attention

In the Southern Islands run, holo versions exist alongside normal and reverse prints, expanding the potential auction ceiling. Holo copies—though rooted in the same card text—enjoy a rarity premium that shows up in sale prices and bid-ups. The appeal isn’t just the vivid water-toned holo foil; it’s also the art direction on Kimura’s illustration, which captures a moment of tropical whimsy that resonates with long-time players and newer collectors alike. In practice, holo Wartortle typically leads the charge on price, with the non-foil versions following suit as strong, more affordable entry points. This dynamic makes auction watchers pay attention to condition, edition status, and whether the card is part of a sealed lot or a single, well-preserved card from the era.

Display, Collectibility, and Nostalgia

Southern Islands is revered for its vibrant, island-inspired atmosphere—an aesthetic that still resonates with fans today. Wartortle’s evolution from Squirtle ties into the classic water-type narrative: a beginner’s aquatic line that graduates into a capable mid-game presence, even within the constraints of vintage formats. For collectors, the card represents more than a stat line; it’s a tangible memory of the Pokémon TCG’s early visual language, a time when holo foiling and set-themed art were becoming defining features of the hobby. The presence of Naoyo Kimura’s art adds a layer of storytelling, a reminder that each card is a small work of illustrated history in the broad arc of the franchise.

When you pair this sentiment with the auction-market realities—average prices in Cardmarket and mid-$60s on TCGPlayer, plus the holo premium—you get a compelling picture of why Wartortle from Southern Islands remains a sought-after vintage piece. It’s not merely about raw power on a playmat; it’s about the memory of pooling pennies with friends to complete a set, the thrill of pulling a holo out of a booster, and the sight of Kimura’s artwork as a screen saver-worthy icon on a desk or display case.

For enthusiasts who want to celebrate this piece beyond the card sleeve, consider a tasteful companion that nods to tech in a collector’s lifestyle. The Slim Lexan Phone Case Glossy Ultra-thin for iPhone 16 offers a sleek, protective way to carry your fandom into daily life, aligning with the clean lines and bright colors that define vintage Pokémon art. It’s a small, tasteful way to keep the nostalgia close while you chase new milestones in the hobby.

Slim Lexan Phone Case Glossy Ultra-thin for iPhone 16

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