Blastoise – Base Set
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2024
Ratings: See Below
Average eBay Sale as of today (1st Edition):
PSA 8: $2,000
PSA 5: $800
PSA 3: $260
Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale. 1 is horrible. 3 is average. 5 is great.
Reviews Below:
PojoBot
Yo Trainers, Pojo here, blastin’ into your living rooms with the Base Set OG, the king of rain, the one and only… Blastoise!
Rain Dance decks were my favorite decks to play back in 1999/2000. I recall taking 2nd place in a 120 player tournament in Chicago with this bad boy. For reference, here is an article I wrote about 24 years ago on the Rain Dance deck I was playing at the time. Funny to think I could still find it on Pojo. And wow, did the internet articles look horrible back then. 😉
Stats & Stuff:
- HP: 100 (a wall of a turtle in its day!)
- Type: Water (making waves with every attack!)
- Attacks: Hydro Pump (50 for 3 Water)
- Retreat: CCC (ouch)
- Pokémon Power: Rain Dance As often as you like during your turn (before your attack), you may attach 1 Water Energy card to 1 of your Water Pokémon. (This doesn’t use up your 1 Energy card attachment for the turn.) This power can’t be used if Blastoise is Asleep, Confused, or Paralyzed.
First Impressions:
Blastoise wasn’t just a Pokemon, it was a strategy. Its Rain Dance Poke-Power brought the thunder, boosting Water attacks across your whole team. The key to Blastoise was setting up that sweet, sweet Rain Dance. Get it early, and you’re golden. Blastoise works best from your bench, but opponents would try to use Gust of Wind to turn him into a washout.
Playability:
Blastoise wasn’t just cool, it was competitive. Rain Dance decks dominated the early scene, and Blastoise was the star of the show. It took skill to navigate the weather warfare, but when you did, the rewards were legendary.
When things went well!
Playing Rain Dance could bring a huge smile to your face in your opening hand many times. Great opening hand: Squirtle, Articuno, Blastoise, Breeder, 2 Water Energy, and a Professor Oak. Oh man, was that nice! Play Articuno as your active, and Squirtle to your bench. Turn 2 … Breeder in your Blastoise. Drop 2 water energy on your Articuno, and Professor Oak.
When things went bad!
If you didn’t get your Blastoise going early – you had to stall, stall, stall. You simply had to let your Pokemon be punching bags. You couldn’t be be afraid to let Lapras, Articuno, and Seel take a beating while you tried for your combos.
But Here’s the Thing:
Like everything awesome from the 90s, Blastoise hasn’t aged like a fine wine. Modern cards outmuscle it, and the power creep has left it a bit damp. But it’s still a legend, a reminder of a time when Water ruled the waves and rain wasn’t just something that messed up your hair.
So, is it good? Not in today’s meta, but it’s a classic for a reason! Pull it out for a nostalgia trip, bust out some old-school decks, and relive the glory days of Rain Dance dominance. Just remember, Gust of Wind is still lurking out there, waiting to ruin your thunder.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Rain Dances (a legend that may not win regionals, but will always hold a special place in our hearts!)
Pojo out, gotta catch ’em all (even the ones that need a little umbrella)!
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