In the world of Pokémon Trading Card Game collecting, few cards spark as much excitement as Blastoise from the original Base Set. This massive turtle Pokémon with its powerful water cannons has been a fan favorite since 1999, but not all Blastoise cards are the same. The big question many collectors ask is what sets a 4th print Blastoise apart from an unlimited one. Let’s dive deep into this, breaking it down step by step in plain, everyday language so anyone can follow along, whether you’re new to cards or a seasoned trader.
First off, picture the Base Set as the very first big release of Pokémon cards in English. It came out in January 1999 and included 102 cards, with Blastoise being the number 2 card—a holographic rare that shows the Pokémon blasting water from its shoulder cannons. This card is a stage 2 evolution from Squirtle and Wartortle, and it’s known for its strong attacks like Hydro Pump, which needs four water energy to deal 40 damage, and Rain Dance, which pumps up your water Pokémon. But the print runs mattered a lot because Wizards of the Coast, the company printing these back then, made multiple waves of the set to meet huge demand.
A 4th print Blastoise comes from the fourth specific printing sheet of the Base Set. Print runs were like batches off the factory line, marked by tiny symbols in the bottom left corner of the card, near the artist’s name, Mitsuhiro Arita. These symbols are called print indicators: a tiny 1 for first edition, then circles, squares, diamonds, and stars for later runs. The fourth print has a small diamond symbol. These early prints, especially up to the fourth, are part of what’s often called the shadowless era. Shadowless means no drop shadow around the card’s artwork border, giving it a cleaner, brighter look compared to later versions with shadows added to prevent wear. Shadowless cards, including most 4th prints, were made before Wizards tweaked the design around mid-1999, so they’re from those initial high-demand months when print quality was top-notch and quantities were smaller.[1][2]
Now, unlimited Blastoise is different—it’s from print runs after the first edition stamp was dropped entirely. Unlimited cards don’t have any edition mark and were printed in massive numbers starting later in 1999 and into 2000. They usually have the shadow border around the art, thicker black lines on the card edges, and sometimes subtle changes in color or ink. The print symbol for unlimiteds starts from a circle (second print equivalent) but keeps going with more diamonds, stars, and even multiple stars for later batches. A typical unlimited Blastoise might have one or more stars, showing it came way after the early hype died down. These were made to flood the market, so they’re way more common today.[2]
Spotting the difference starts with that bottom left corner. On a 4th print, look for the single diamond—it’s crisp and small, about the size of a pinhead. Unlimiteds might have a star or stacked symbols, and the overall card feels more “revised” with bolder borders. Hold them side by side under good light: the 4th print holo pattern sparkles more vividly because early foils used purer stamping techniques before cost-cutting. The artwork on 4th prints often has sharper blues and greens on Blastoise’s shell, while unlimiteds can look slightly washed out or have minor ink shifts. Weigh them too—early prints like 4th edition used slightly thicker stock paper, making them feel more substantial.[1][2]
Value is where it gets really exciting. A raw, ungraded 4th print Blastoise in good shape can fetch $200 to $500 easily, and if it’s near mint, prices climb to $1,000 or more depending on the market. Graded ones shine brightest: a PSA 9 might go for $1,500 to $2,500, while a perfect PSA 10 has sold for $10,000 or higher in recent auctions. Unlimited Blastoise? Much cheaper—a raw one averages $65, with PSA 10s around $3,700 as of late 2025 sales data. That’s because unlimiteds were printed by the millions, while 4th prints capped out earlier in the production cycle, making survivors rarer, especially in high grade due to 25+ years of play and storage wear.[3]
But wait, there’s more to these cards than meets the eye—errors and variants add layers of chase. Some unlimited Blastoise have a tiny red ink dot right above the water energy symbol on the Hydro Pump attack. It’s a printing glitch from ink overflow, super minor but sought by error hunters. It’s only on unlimited prints, not early ones like 4th edition, because quality control tightened up later. Another unlimited quirk is occasional low black ink, making parts look grayish, or holobleed where the foil creeps over the HP box. 4th prints rarely show these; their errors are different, like faint foiling inconsistencies from rushed early sheets.[1]
Holographic shine is another key separator. Both are holos, but 4th print Blastoises have that classic “star” holo pattern from the Base Set—diagonal lines that dance when tilted. Unlimiteds keep the same pattern but often have duller foil from reused sheets. Non-holo versions exist too, but collectors chase holos. First edition Blastoise (with the 1st stamp) outrank both, but 4th print is the sweet spot for shadowless without the ultra-rare first edition price tag of $15,000+ for PSA 10s.[2][3]
Condition matters hugely for both. Pokémon cards from 1999 weren’t made for eternity—edges whiten, centers dimple, scratches kill holo pop. 4th prints hold value better in mid-grades because fewer were saved pristine. Grading services like PSA check centering (art placement), corners, edges, and surface. A 4th print with 55/45 centering might still PSA 8, while unlimiteds flood the low-grade market, tanking prices. Recent sales show ungraded unlimiteds at $44 to $75 even in poor shape, but 4th prints hold firm at double or triple.[3]
History adds flavor. The Base Set exploded Pokémon mania—stores sold out instantly, kids traded in schoolyards, adults got hooked. Early prints like 4th edition captured peak nostalgia, printed when the game was fresh and cards felt magical. Unlimiteds came during the saturation phase, when Wizards printed nonstop to cash in. Regional differences pop up too: some Australian unlimited Jungle sets (which include Blastoise evos) have red logos, but Base Set stayed standard.[4]
Collecting tips for these: Always buy from trusted sellers—fakes plague Blastoise. Check the drop shadow (absent on 4th print), feel the weight, inspect under UV light for real foil glow. Magnify the print symbol; counterfeits botch it. Store in sleeves and top loaders, away from sun and humidity
