Market outlook
Rising Outlook 7/10
Recent sales data shows upward movement in raw prices, and the card benefits from steady collector demand as part of one of the most nostalgic modern Pokémon sets. Wartortle also sits in a popular evolutionary line, which tends to support sustained interest over time.
Next months. Likely to remain firm to slightly higher, with occasional spikes when buyers target complete 151 master sets or starter-line displays.
Long term. Expected to hold collectible value well and potentially appreciate gradually, especially in higher grades. Long-term gains should be strongest for pristine graded 10/graded 10/graded 10 examples and well-centered raw copies.
History
Wartortle is the middle evolution of Squirtle, one of the original first-generation Water-type starter Pokémon introduced in the Pokémon Red and Green era. It is a classic Kanto species and has remained highly recognizable across the franchise because it sits at the bridge between the beloved baby starter Squirtle and the iconic final evolution Blastoise. In trading card collecting, Wartortle has long been a popular nostalgia character due to its status as part of the original starter line.
This English card was first released in the Pokémon Scarlet & Violet 151 expansion in 2023, as card 171/165. It was printed in the English-language set Scarlet & Violet—151, which is a modern nostalgia-focused set celebrating original Kanto Pokémon.
- This is an Illustration Rare version of Wartortle, featuring full-art style artwork rather than a standard in-set illustration.
- The card is part of the Scarlet & Violet 151 product line, which intentionally highlights the original 151 Pokémon and has strong collector appeal.
- Wartortle 171/165 is one of the more desirable middle-evolution cards from the set because it combines nostalgia, attractive artwork, and relatively strong pull demand.
Collector notes
Condition. Check for centering on both front and back, whitening on corners and edges, surface scratches on the holo/full-art finish, print lines, roller marks, and any pressure dents or indentations. Modern Illustration Rares often have subtle surface flaws that are easiest to see under angled light. Grading candidates should be inspected for clean corners and strong centering, since these are common limiting factors.
Storage. Store in a penny sleeve and a rigid top loader or semi-rigid card holder for valuable raw copies. Keep away from moisture, heat, direct sunlight, and friction. For long-term storage, use binder pages only if they are archival-safe and the card is sleeved first. For high-grade copies, consider graded/graded/graded grading or sealed archival holders.
Authenticity. Compare the card to known authentic scans for font sharpness, color consistency, and texture pattern. Modern Pokémon cards should have crisp print quality, clean alignment, and characteristic texture on the full-art surface. Watch for poor-quality holographic texture, washed-out colors, incorrect font spacing, or overly thin cardstock, which can indicate counterfeit products. Because this is a modern English card, fake versions usually show obvious print and texture differences.
