Poliwrath · Expedition Base Set, what to know.
About the Poliwrath card
Numbered 24 of 165 in Expedition Base Set, released in September 2002, Poliwrath is a Rare Holo, a Stage 2 Water-type carrying 100 HP.
It evolves from Poliwhirl, so Poliwrath is a later-stage card that set-builders usually slot into a full evolution run rather than buy alone.
Illustrated by Yuka Morii.
About Poliwrath in the Pokémon world
The Water-Fighting final form of the Poliwag line via Water Stone. Heavy muscled silhouette. Base Set holo Poliwrath is one of the original 16 holos. Quietly traded, with PSA 10 1st Edition appreciating slowly.
What is Poliwrath worth?
Poliwrath is a holo rare, one of the cards that holds Expedition Base Set's value. The print variant decides most of it: a 1st Edition copy in high grade commands a large premium over a Shadowless or Unlimited one. In top-grade 1st Edition, Expedition Base Set holos range from the mid hundreds for the lesser cards up to the set's marquee chase; raw and Unlimited copies trade for a fraction of that. The live market price above shows the current figure by grade.
Print variants and how to spot them
Confirm the print and finish on Poliwrath before pricing it, since variant and rarity set the market more than the card name alone.
Grading and condition
On a holo like Poliwrath, surface is the grade cap. The water foil shows hairlines under raking light, and the print reveals scratches that flat scans miss. Centering on the left and right borders is the second thing to check.
If you are collecting Poliwrath
When you go to buy Poliwrath, settle three things in order: the print variant, the condition, and a comp for that exact combination. A blended average across variants will mislead you on Poliwrath, so price the specific copy in front of you.
