Turtle-like Pokémon can be a bit shy and like to keep to their shells, but these works of art from the Pokémon TCG showcase some of the power and radical personalities that these Pokémon have to offer. Whether you’re a fan of the bubbly Squirtle, the hospitable Shuckle, or the teething Chewtle, you’ll be in “turtle” awe of both the artwork and history of these turtle-like Pokémon in the Pokémon TCG!
Squirtle
How about going for a swim? Squirtle’s Pokémon TCG debut was in Base Set, and this depiction of the Tiny Turtle Pokémon in EX FireRed & LeafGreen was the first card illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita since that very set. With its arms wide open, Squirtle smiles as it dives into a body of water and pure, aquatic joy.
Dark Wartortle
Don’t get snappy with this Wartortle! Dark Wartortle crosses its arms and legs and stares angrily as it sits on dark rocks in a green forest. In 2000, the Pokémon TCG: Team Rocket expansion introduced Dark Pokémon to the game for the first time. Dark Pokémon have an evil appearance, an effect of being trained by members of the villainous organization, Team Rocket.
Blastoise
Expedition Base Set was the first Pokémon TCG set to feature e-Reader cards—Pokémon TCG cards with a scannable strip on the left side of the card. As only the third artwork featuring Blastoise in the Pokémon TCG, illustrator Kimiya Masago shows off a different, more fearsome side of the Shellfish Pokémon as it barrels through the water with a fiendish scowl.
Shuckle
Shuckle doesn’t come out of its shell often, but these Shuckle are enjoying a nice drink with Emolga in this artwork by illustrator MAHOU. It’s more than likely that these Shuckle made the juice themselves, since the berries stored in its vaselike shell eventually becomes a thick, pulpy juice. Who knew that Shuckle could be so hospitable?
Torkoal
Torkoal is one of several Pokémon to be featured in the Trainer Gallery from Sun & Moon—Cosmic Eclipse, a special subset featuring Pokémon and their Trainers in a full-frame artwork. Torkoal might not be the most nimble Pokémon, but that doesn’t stop this Torkoal from jumping for joy with Flannery, the Lavaridge Town Gym Leader from the Hoenn region. Illustator Ryota Murayama adds in an extra bit of flair with fall leaves littering the artwork featuring these two fiery characters.
Turtwig GL
Turtwig GL takes on a mighty stance as it prepares to battle for its trainer—Gym Leader Gardenia from Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl, who battles with a Turtwig. Illustrator Kanako Eo portrays Turtwig in an art style that’s reminiscent of papercraft, using the wooden poles to create a foreground and a background relative to the Tiny Leaf Pokémon.
Torterra LV.X
The LV.X mechanic debuted in Pokémon TCG: Diamond & Pearl, and Torterra was one of the first Pokémon to receive this special treatment. Pokémon LV.X function similarly to Pokémon BREAK from the XY Series—you may level up a fully-evolved Torterra into the more powerful Torterra LV.X. Its Forest Murmurs Ability was a powerful disruption tool during the card’s era, allowing the player to switch their opponent’s Active Pokémon with one of their Benched Pokémon, but only if the player had more Prize cards left than their opponent.
Carracosta
This card is only the third card to feature Carracosta since it originally made its Pokémon TCG debut in Black & White—Noble Victories in 2011. It certainly made its impact though, as it appeared in several “Fossil” decks played by Tobias Thesing and Shintaro Yamamoto at the 2019 Pokémon World Championships, who finished 62nd and 66th place respectively in the Masters Division. Its Ancient Custom Ability was key to shutting down the popular Pokémon Tool, Escape Board, making it difficult for players to move their Jirachi out of the Active Spot without Switch.
Turtonator
Turtonator stands peacefully in the middle of a field in this artwork by Sumiyoshi Kizuki, but the card itself was known best for its explosive power. Combined with the powerful Supporter card, Welder, Turtonator was often used to do up to 300 damage and Knock Out powerful TAG TEAM Pokémon. Its best competitive finishes include Tord Reklev’s 4th place finish with a Reshiram & Charizard-GX deck featuring Turtonator at the 2019 Pokémon World Championships, as well as Robin Schulz’s 1st place finish with the same deck featuring Turtonator at the 2020 Latin America International Championships.
Chewtle
Chewtle isn’t the strongest Pokémon, but it sure has bite! Illustrator sowsow showcases Chewtle and its famous teething tendency as it hangs from a cattail in an artwork featuring a variety of plant life. The perspective of the artwork also emphasizes Chewtle’s small size as it hangs from the plant with the sky just narrowly peeking out above Chewtle and the wetlands.
