Image via pokemontcg.io
Poliwhirl
Base 38/102 • uncommon
- Set
- Base
- Number
- 38/102
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Released
- 1999
- Energy type
- water energy
- Market price
- $2.46
- Artist
- Ken Sugimori
What it does
Choose 1 of the Defending Pokémon's attacks. That Pokémon can't use that attack during your opponent's next turn.
Flip 2 coins. This attack does 30 damage times the number of heads.
Capable of living in or out of water. When out of water, it sweats to keep its body slimy.
Where you can play it
- StandardNot legal
- ExpandedNot legal
- UnlimitedLegal
Card text © Pokémon / Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK, via pokemontcg.io. Not produced by or endorsed by The Pokémon Company. As of the last catalogue refresh.
Where to find one
Search for Poliwhirl on the marketplaces collectors use.
Listings from external marketplaces. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.
Where it came from
Poliwhirl first appeared in the original 1996 Base Set of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, a release that translated Nintendo's Game Boy phenomenon into a competitive tabletop format. The set was designed to capture the essence of the Kanto region, with card illustrations tasked to Japanese artists like Ken Sugimori, whose signature clean lines and vibrant, straightforward style helped define the visual identity of the franchise for a generation of young players.
The artwork for this card features the iconic tadpole-like creature in a dynamic pose, highlighting its distinctive abdominal spiral. As an uncommon card, it served as a reliable middle-tier water type, valued in early gameplay for its 'Amnesia' and 'Doubleslap' attacks. It remains a cornerstone of the 1990s trading card boom, representing the foundational era where Pokémon transitioned from a niche portable game into a global cultural movement.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real Pokémon cards collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Poliwhirl
Poliwhirl is a card in the Pokémon Cards catalog on collecto.rs. Base 38/102 • uncommon. Catalog data is sourced from pokemontcg.io. Collectors on collecto.rs track this card publicly, with photos, condition and acquisition notes.
How many collectors track Poliwhirl on collecto.rs?
Poliwhirl is tracked publicly on collecto.rs. Each collector's profile links to their full collection, their notes, and (when shared) their acquisition history.
Can I track my own copy of Poliwhirl?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your card, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other Pokémon cards collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Poliwhirl catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Poliwhirl is sourced from pokemontcg.io. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Where can I see real photos of Poliwhirl?
Click any collector below to see their public Poliwhirl entry — photos, condition, edition, and (when shared) acquisition cost.
Is tracking Pokémon cards free on collecto.rs?
Yes. Tracking your cards is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every card you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
