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Poliwag

Base Set 2 / #88/130

Poliwag

Printed language: English · Pokémon

Set (printed edition)
Base Set 2
Rarity (source)
Common
Illustrator
Ken Sugimori
Source reference
base4-88

CARDEX BACKGROUND

The Pokémon’s story

Poliwag is more comfortable in water than on land. Its little legs are still learning to carry it, so it quickly returns to the river when danger approaches. In strong currents, its thick lips cling to rocks like a suction cup. The visible spiral on its belly reveals some of its organs beneath the skin. The Pokédex thus follows a young swimmer still learning to walk while already handling fast-flowing waters.

Background on the species in the video games; its forms and card versions may have appeared later.

A detail worth noticing

Pokémon Shield describes Poliwag attaching itself to river stones with its lips. Pokémon Sword notes that its belly spiral reveals organs seen through the skin. A famous pattern therefore conceals an anatomical detail, while its mouth helps it resist the current.

Sources for this background

Card details

HP
40
Type (source)
Water
Stage (source)
Basic
Pokédex number
60
Retreat cost
1 Energy
Weakness (source)
Grass ×2

Printed card text — English

Quoted source text is retained in the card’s printed language so this exact printing can be identified. The CarDex background above is translated into English.

Description from the source

Its newly grown legs prevent it from running. It appears to prefer swimming over trying to stand.

Attacks

Water Gun

Cost: Water

Damage: 10

Does 10 damage plus 10 damage for each Energy attached to Poliwag but not used to pay for this attack's Energy cost. Extra Energy after the end don't count.

Documented variants

Versions reported by the source; identification for sales still needs verification.

  • Normal
  • normal · standard

View the TCGdex source ↗

Price history

No verified price observations are available for this printing. History will begin once reference matching has been validated; no past prices have been reconstructed.

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